Impact of the new professional profile of the preventive and adapted physical activities kinesiologist on internal stakeholders

Abstract

Purpose: The wellness and fitness companies, that provide physical and sports educational services, have to apply the recent reform of physical activity and sport reform of the job of the new professional profile in physical exercise of “kinesiologist of preventive and adapted physical activities” established by the new Italian legislation. Kinesiologists, personal trainers, and physiotherapists represent internal stakeholders, and their perception and opinions are important to identify the stakeholders’ demands and expectations for the pursuit of its corporate goals. The aim was to measure the impact of the professional figure on internal stakeholders because of the new legislative provisions, also about the role he or she holds and his or her ability to fulfil the functions of the kinesiologist role. The impact is identified by the measure of the effect of the innovative legislation on knowledge, perceptions and opinions regarding. Method: Participants at the study were 64 professionals (average age 32±8 years) carrying out their professional activity in the Campania region. A questionnaire of 12 questions distributed in 3 sections was sent out: 1) identification of the sample; 2) new legislative knowledge; 3) perceptions on the ability to perform kinesiologist functions. In addition to descriptive statistics, Chi Square and Cramer’s V were used to measure correlations. Results: The findings indicate a correlation between the professionals’ current roles and their responses (P<.05). Physiotherapists show partial support (Cramer’s V=.589) for the integration of the LM-67 degree in the workforce, while kinesiologists exhibit stronger support (Cramer’s V=.298) for a specialized master’s degree as the most suitable training pathway for prescribing re-educational exercises. Conclusions: The impact of the establishment of the new professional profile is also of interest with respect to the definition of the roles of the different professional figures within gyms and sports centers. Keywords: Kinesiologist, physical activity, epistemology of motor sciences, role of stakeholders.