The CSEP Physical Activity Training for Health Resource Manual (CSEP-PATH®)

THIRD EDITION (2021)

THE CSEP PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TRAINING FOR HEALTH (CSEP-PATH®) RESOURCE MANUAL IS AN EVIDENCE-INFORMED, QUALITY TEXTBOOK AND TOOL FOR QUALIFIED EXERCISE PROFESSIONALS.

The Third Edition of the manual, to be released in September 2021, has been updated to reflect the latest research in exercise science including the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy, and expanded sections on sedentary behaviour and sleep.

Learn how to support clients from initial intake to continued support through a client-centered process. The manual provides a comprehensive set of assessment protocols and extensive information on working with a variety of clients and their unique needs from children, to older adults, to those who live with disabilities, or those with a stable medical condition.

Section 1: Basic Anatomy and Physiology
An overview of key anatomy and physiology concepts relevant to qualified exercise professionals.

Section 2: Lifestyle Behaviours and Health
This section contains four subsections: Physical Activity, Fitness, and Health; Sedentary Behaviour; Healthy Eating; and Healthy Sleep. Each subsection provides a general introduction to the topic and highlights how qualified exercise professionals can advance the promotion of the lifestyle behaviour to health.

Section 3: Behaviour Change
This section provides a basic overview of the main theories of behaviour change and models used within the physical activity domain, highlights key areas for action or intervention based on the tenets of these theories, and then outlines approaches that qualified exercise professionals will find beneficial as they seek to guide clients to make lasting changes to improve their health and fitness.

Section 4: CSEP-PATH
This section presents the CSEP-PATH itself, a streamlined 6-step sequence based on the 6-As (Ask, Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist, and Arrange) that is a foundation of effective health behaviour intervention.

Section 5: Training for Health & Performance
This section focuses on both training for health and fitness and training for performance-related fitness (sport and physically demanding occupations). The content reviews key training principles and variables for enhancing cardiovascular and musculoskeletal fitness.

Section 6: Training for Children and Youth
This section enhances knowledge when working with children and youth and considerations to help younger populations meet the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines.

Section 7: Training for Pregnant Women
This section highlights key considerations to consider when working with pregnancy women through their gestational period using the SOGC / CSEP 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy as a foundation.

Section 8: Training for Clients Living with being Overweight or Obese
This brand new section highlights key factors to consider when developing an effective physical activity strategy for clients who have weight loss as a goal.

Section 9: Training for Persons with a Disability
This section contains general information to support the qualified exercise professional’s efforts to provide inclusive services to clients with all abilities, and highlights strategies to create quality physical activity opportunities for clients with a disability.

Section 10: Training for Older Adults
This section identifies pertinent physiological age-related changes and prescribing practices unique to the older adult.

Section 11: Training for Clients Living with Chronic Conditions
This section offers general information on the more common chronic conditions diagnosed in Canada and how they typically affect an individual’s ability to engage in regular physical activity.

Professional Concepts
This section contains information of relevance to those interested in or pursuing certification with CSEP. This section also provides an overview of professional liability, standard of care, and tips for building a strong professional reputation and practice.

Toolkit
The CSEP-PATH® Toolkit includes client questionnaires, handouts, and worksheets to support the qualified exercise professional in administering the CSEP-PATH® protocols.

Highlights of the CSEP-PATH® Resource Manual, Third Edition:
  • The CSEP-PATH® Toolkit features a new Movement Counselling Tool to help guide the discussion between the QEP and their client on integrating the core movement recommendations into a client’s daily activities.
  • New subsection explains the importance of adopting an integrated approach to movement behaviours that considers time spent in all movement behaviours across the entire 24-hour day.
  • Other sections that saw updates as a result of the inclusion of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults were Sections 4, 5, and 10. Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults
  • CSEP Get Active Questionnaire For Pregnancy
  • Health Care Provider Consultation Form for Prenatal Activity throughout Pregnancy
  • Updated CSEP Code of Conduct

Full list of Changes in the CSEP-PATH® Resource Manual, 3rd Edition (PDF, 2 pages).