HFI Course Category / Level

Degree level – post ACSM CPT or ACSM HFS

Qualification Introductory Information

A CET is a fitness professional that trains men and women who have been diagnosed with cancer who may be at any stage of the disease. Clients may have not yet begun treatment, may be receiving treatment, may have completed treatment or may be a survivor experiencing chronic or late effects from disease or treatment and are apparently healthy or have the presence of known stable cardiovascular disease with low risk for complications with vigorous exercise and do not have any relative or absolute contraindications for exercise testing.

The CET also performs appropriate fitness assessments and makes exercise recommendations while demonstrating a basic understanding of cancer diagnoses, surgeries, treatments, symptoms and side effects.

ACSM/ACS Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer Scope of Practice:

• Trains individuals at various stages of the disease

• Performs appropriate fitness assessments and makes exercise recommendations while demonstrating a basic understanding of cancer diagnoses, surgeries, treatments, symptoms and side effects.

Recommended Competencies

• Knowledge of and ability to discuss cancer diagnoses, surgeries, treatments, and side effects with the cancer survivor and his/her family and health care providers. 

• Knowledge of and ability to discuss how exercise may improve quality of life following a cancer diagnosis and potentially improve prognosis.

• Knowledge of and ability to describe cancer-specific benefits and risks of exercise training before, during and after cancer treatment.

• Knowledge, skill and ability to select an appropriate exercise program and/or modify the exercise program based on time since diagnosis and cancer-specific surgeries, treatments, side effects and other non-cancer related morbidities.

• Understanding the potential impact of exercise on those undergoing cancer therapy, especially surgery and chemotherapy and increased risk of injury and other complications, such as lymphedema.

• Knowledge in how to evaluate adverse responses to exercise training and how to appropriately modify exercise program and/or when to seek clinical consultation, especially for the client currently receiving treatment.

Who is this qualification/course suitable for?

Minimum Requirements for the ACSM/ACS Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer:

CET candidates must meet the following 3 minimum requirements:

1. Current ACSM Certification or current NCCA-accredited, health/fitness-related certifications (e.g., ACE, NCSF, NASM, NFPT, NSCA, Cooper Institute)

2. First Aid & AED AND    

3. ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: 
   
   A) BA Degree (in any field) AND 500 hours of experience training older adults or individuals with chronic conditions 
       OR
   B) 10,000 hours of experience training older adults or individuals with chronic conditions

Hours of experience with older adults or individuals with chronic conditions include: exercise testing, exercise prescription, group or individual training, group or individual client education, academic coursework and/or continuing education (relating to older adults or individuals with chronic conditions), internships or observational hours in an oncology setting and/or cancer rehabilitation programme.