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Accréditation Sans Frontières · ASF Health Standards 9.0

Standard 26 · Fitness and Wellness

11 criteria · optional module (declare to apply)

Optional module (declare to apply). 11 criteria, of which 4 non-negotiable. Each criterion is numbered 26.Y, with its classification and verification questions.

Criteria

26.1 Biometric and Health-Tracking Data Is Protected and Appropriately Used

CORE

Any biometric or health-tracking data collected through digital fitness tools — heart rate, body composition, activity tracking — is protected with data security measures and used only for its stated purpose, with the member's informed consent, not collected broadly with no limit on its use.

VERIFICATION QUESTIONS

  1. Is member biometric data protected with specific security measures?
    Specific security for health data collected by fitness tools.
  2. Is data used only for its stated purpose, with consent?
    Data is used only for the purpose the member agreed to.
  3. Can a member access, correct, or request deletion of their data?
    The member can see, correct and delete their own data.

26.2 Medical Clearance Required Before Post-Injury Programming

NON-NEGOTIABLE

A member returning to exercise programming after a significant injury, surgery, or medical event has documented medical clearance before participating, with any clearance-stated restrictions built into the programme — not a general waiver treated as sufficient regardless of the member's actual medical history.

VERIFICATION QUESTIONS

  1. Is documented medical clearance obtained before programming begins, not a general liability waiver treated as equivalent?
    A medical clearance, not a waiver of liability.
  2. Are specific restrictions stated in the clearance built into the programme, not overlooked once the member starts?
    Restrictions from the clearance are followed in the programme.
  3. Is there a documented process for what happens if a member discloses a significant injury or medical event after already starting?
    A defined response when a new injury or event is disclosed.

26.3 Qualified Staff Deliver Post-Injury Programming

NON-NEGOTIABLE

Post-injury or post-surgical return-to-activity programming is delivered or directly overseen by staff with specific qualification in this area, not a general fitness instructor without the relevant training applying standard programming regardless of the member's recovery status.

VERIFICATION QUESTIONS

  1. Does the staff member delivering this specific programming hold verifiable qualification in post-injury or return-to-activity exercise, not just general fitness certification?
    Qualification in this specific area, not general fitness training.
  2. Is there a clear, working distinction between standard fitness programming and this specialised post-injury programming?
    Standard and post-injury programming are kept distinct.
  3. Is qualification verified and current, not assumed from a staff member's general experience?
    Qualification is checked, not assumed from experience.

26.4 Individualised Programme Based on Functional Assessment

CORE

The return-to-activity programme is built from a documented functional assessment specific to the member's injury or condition, progressing at a pace matched to readiness, not a generic programme applied regardless of the member's actual recovery stage.

VERIFICATION QUESTIONS

  1. Is a documented functional assessment performed before the programme is built, not a generic programme applied by injury type alone?
    The programme starts from an assessment of the member.
  2. Does progression match the member's demonstrated readiness, not a fixed timeline applied regardless of how they are responding?
    Progression follows readiness, not a fixed timetable.
  3. Is the programme reassessed and adjusted as the member's function changes?
    The programme changes as function changes.

26.5 Pain and Warning Sign Recognition, With a Stop Protocol

CORE

Staff delivering post-injury programming are trained to recognise warning signs — pain beyond expected levels, swelling, abnormal movement compensation — with a clear protocol to stop or modify the activity and refer back to medical care when these signs appear.

VERIFICATION QUESTIONS

  1. Can staff describe specific warning signs relevant to this member's condition, not just a vague general awareness?
    Specific warning signs for this member's condition.
  2. Can the facility show a recorded example of a session being stopped or modified due to a warning sign, where applicable?
    Evidence that warning signs lead to action.
  3. Is there a clear referral pathway back to medical care when warning signs appear?
    A clear route back to medical care.

26.6 Communication With Referring Clinician Where Applicable

STANDARD

Where a member's post-injury programming was initiated on referral from a physician or physical therapist, communication with that clinician occurs at meaningful points during the programme, not a one-time intake with no further contact.

VERIFICATION QUESTIONS

  1. Where a referral exists, is there two-way communication with the referring clinician, not silence after the initial intake?
    Communication continues after the referral is received.
  2. Does communication happen at meaningful points
    a significant change, a concern — not only a fixed, arbitrary interval? — Communication when something important changes.
  3. Is member consent for this communication documented, respecting their privacy?
    The member agrees to the communication, and it is recorded.

26.7 Pre-Participation Screening Is Completed Before Exercise

NON-NEGOTIABLE

Every member is screened for health risks before first exercise, with the screening recorded and any risk acted on before exercise begins.

VERIFICATION QUESTIONS

  1. Is every member screened before first exercise with a structured tool, and is the screening recorded?
    A member who has not been screened cannot be shown to be safe to exercise.
  2. When screening identifies a risk, is medical clearance obtained before exercise begins, and is the clearance recorded?
    A risk that is identified but not acted on is a serious failure of screening.
  3. Is screening repeated when a member's health status changes, and at a defined interval?
    A screening done once does not cover a changing condition.

26.8 Exercise Is Supervised and Instructed by Qualified Staff

CORE

Exercise sessions are supervised by staff who hold a recognised qualification for the activity, and members receive instruction on correct technique before using equipment or joining group activity.

VERIFICATION QUESTIONS

  1. Are exercise sessions supervised by staff with a recognised qualification for the activity?
    Supervision by an unqualified person gives the appearance of safety without its substance.
  2. Is each member instructed on correct technique before using equipment or joining group activity?
    Incorrect technique is a common cause of injury.
  3. Is the staff-to-member ratio set for each activity, and is it followed?
    A ratio that is not followed means members are not supervised.

26.9 Exercise Equipment Is Safe, Maintained and Correctly Set Up

CORE

Exercise equipment is laid out with adequate space, is inspected and maintained on a schedule, and is set up for each member before use.

VERIFICATION QUESTIONS

  1. Is exercise equipment inspected and maintained on a defined schedule, with the work recorded?
    Worn equipment fails during exercise.
  2. Is equipment spaced so that members have room to move safely, and is the layout reviewed?
    Crowded equipment causes collisions and falls.
  3. Is equipment set up for each member, such as seat and weight settings, before use?
    Equipment set for the previous user can cause injury.

26.10 Cardiac and Medical Emergencies Are Planned For

NON-NEGOTIABLE

Staff are trained to recognise and respond to cardiac and other medical emergencies during exercise, emergency equipment including a defibrillator is available and checked, and the response is rehearsed.

VERIFICATION QUESTIONS

  1. Are staff trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of a defibrillator, and is the training current?
    Survival from sudden cardiac arrest depends heavily on an immediate response.
  2. Is a defibrillator available in the exercise area, checked on a schedule, and maintained?
    A defibrillator that is not checked may fail when it is needed.
  3. Is the emergency response rehearsed on a defined schedule, with the rehearsal recorded?
    An emergency response that has not been rehearsed is untested.

26.11 Members Are Informed of Risks and Give Consent

CORE

Members receive clear information about the risks of the activities they join, and give consent before participation, with the consent recorded.

VERIFICATION QUESTIONS

  1. Are members told the risks of the activities they join, in a form they understand?
    A member who does not know the risks cannot consent to them.
  2. Is consent given before participation and recorded?
    Consent given only after an injury cannot have been informed in advance.
  3. Can a member withdraw from an activity at any time without penalty?
    Consent that cannot be withdrawn is not free. ————————————————————

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