Active IQ Level 2 Award in Leading Physical Activity for Adolescents (sample manual)

Manual
Level 2 Award in
Leading Physical
Activity for
Adolescents
Version AIQ005694

The stages of adolescent development
Section 1
Section 1: The stages of
adolescent development
Assessment criteria
By the end of this section you will be able to:
• Describe the three stages of adolescence
• Summarise the characteristics of physical development in adolescents
• Summarise the characteristics of mental and emotional development of adolescents
Introduction
Adolescence refers to the period of human growth that occurs between childhood and adulthood.
Age is a convenient way to define the three adolescent stages as it is often the most appropriate way of assessing and
comparing the biological changes that take place. It must be remembered that age is only one of the characteristics
that delineates this period of development.
Currently, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and as adopted by the UK government, adolescence
refers to a young person aged between 10 and 19 years. This age range falls within WHO’s definition of young
people, which refers to individuals between the ages of 10 and 24.
The period of adolescence is divided into three stages:
1. Early adolescence: ages 10–15
• includes pubertal and cognitive changes
• start of sexual curiosity
• relationships with close friends become more important
2. Middle adolescence: ages 14–17
• a time of increased independence and experimentation
• individuals start to be concerned about how they look, body image and what
others think, worrying about their sexual attractiveness
• focus on peer groups becomes more intense
• individuals become more independent
• feeling invincible and risk-taking is significantly increased during this stage
3. Late adolescence: ages 16–19
• adolescents make important personal and vocational decisions
• a time of transition to university, the world of work or taking a
gap year
Physical activity, health and development considerations for adolescents
These stages provide a useful context for understanding body image issues
and the concerns of adolescents, as well as a framework for providing them
with information they need to participate in physical activity and practise
healthy eating behaviours.
ACTIVITY
Read the article at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42732442 (Jan 2018)
Why is a change in the definition of adolescence required, according to scientists reporting in the
Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal?
What are the implications for physical activity professionals?
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Section 2
Childhood obesity and how to assess it
The statistics of childhood obesity in the UK
The most recent statistics released by Public Health England as part of the Government’s National Child Measurement
Programme (NCMP) for England, 2017–18, covering the school years Reception and Year 6, are as follows:
For Year 6 (10–11 years)
• Obesity prevalence increased from 20.0% in 2016/17 to 20.1% in 2017/18.
• Obesity prevalence was higher in boys than girls.
• Obesity prevalence for children living in the most deprived areas was more than double that of those living
in the least deprived areas.
• One in three children leaving primary school were either overweight or obese.
Year 6- children leaving primary school
Underweight Healthy weight Overweight Obese Severly Obese
UK government plan to tackle childhood obesity
The UK government set out to implement a plan to tackle childhood obesity, knowing the huge impact it has on
life expectancy and physical and mental health conditions, and the great economic cost to the UK of ignoring the
problem. In later sections we will be looking at understanding nutritional needs and physical activity identifi ed within
the plan. Below is a quote from the plan:
Obesity is a complex problem with many drivers, including our behaviour,
environment, genetics and culture. However, at its root obesity is caused by an
energy imbalance: taking in more energy through food than we use through activity.
ACTIVITY
Internet activity: Read the article ‘Tenfold increase in childhood and adolescent obesity in four
decades: new study by Imperial College London and WHO’, published in October 2017: https://www.
who.int/news-room/detail/11-10-2017-tenfold-increase-in-childhood-and-adolescent-obesity-in-fourdecades-new-study-by-imperial-college-london-and-who
The headline reads: ‘World will have more obese children and adolescents than underweight by 2022’.
• What are the issues that are being linked to this increase?
• What plans and initiatives are being put in place to help reduce childhood and adolescent obesity
in the UK? Are they having any impact yet?
Further research
Look up the most up-to-date UK BMI statistics and note the trends over the last 10 years. The current
report, published in July 2018, can be found at:
https://app.box.com/s/og3q86aqejc99okxe9xyvpfvo21xai21/fi le/306723044116
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Section 3
Physiology – The changes and effects of physical activity in adolescents
Bones grow and harden at different speeds. For example, long bones may take until the early 20s to fully develop,
while the bones in the foot may be fully grown and ossified by the age of 10.
Fetus:
months
Fetus: at 2-3
months
Childhood
Adolescence
Cartilage
growth plate
Blood
vessel
Cavity
Compact bone
containing
osteocytes
cartilage
model
forms
Compact bone
develops
starting at
primary
site
Spongy bone
develops at
secondary
sites
The growth
plates
promote
longitudinal
growth
until young
adulthood
Cartilage
growth plate
The development of bone throughout childhood
There are only minor differences between adult male and female skeletons once fully grown and ossified:
• Generally, male bones tend to be heavier than the corresponding female bones.
• Females have a greater carrying angle at the elbow joint, a smaller femoral head at the hip joint and a wider
pelvis to accommodate childbirth.
Lifestyle factors affecting bone growth
Bone is a living tissue and will continue to be renewed and change shape and size throughout life. Bone mass
increases until the early 20s when peak bone mass is achieved.
‘During childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, your skeleton is growing, and
it is vitally important to maximise bone strength. If you ‘bank’ plenty of bone in
these years, your skeleton will be in a better position to withstand the loss of bone
strength that occurs with advancing age.’ (National Osteoporosis Society 2018)
Factors that can affect bone growth and lead to bone demineralisation or osteoporosis are poor nutrition, smoking
and inactivity. It is essential that, as in childhood, through adolescent and early adulthood healthy habits are
adopted to help prevent future structural problems within the bony framework. These healthy habits include:
• Eating a well-balanced and calcium-rich diet.
• Taking part in physical activity of moderate intensity.
• Including appropriate weight-bearing exercises as part of an exercise programme.
• Positive lifestyle habits such as not smoking or drinking excessive alcohol.
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Section 3
Physiology – The changes and effects of physical activity in adolescents
Osteochondritis
Causes
This is a painful condition where the cartilage and bone in
a joint are infl amed. It often presents as osteochondritis
dissecans (OCD).
The term dissecans refers to the creation of a fl ap of cartilage
that breaks away from its underlying subchondral attachments.
Weight training too early, being obese and excessive weightbearing
activities can lead to this condition.
It can occur in the knees (around 75% of cases), hips, ankles
and spine.
This problem is more likely during the growth spurt. However,
because adolescent bones are still growing, they are more
likely than adults to recover from OCD.
Symptoms
Articular
Cartilage
Femur
Tibia
Osteochondritis
Dissecans
OCD usually causes swelling and pain in the affected joint, which catches and locks during movement.
Treatment and recovery
Following diagnosis via an X-ray, the problem may be treated involving modifi cation of activity for 6–12 weeks to
promote bone healing. In those patients who have fragments detached then surgery will be required to remove
the fragments. Post-operative rehabilitation often involves low-impact activities such as walking or swimming. If
untreated it can lead to the development of arthritis.
Scoliosis
This is defi ned as a lateral curvature of the
spine, the presence of which is abnormal.
Causes and symptoms
There is a defi nite genetic infl uence,
with around 25% of those with scoliosis
having a direct relative with a curvature.
Neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral
palsy and muscular dystrophy have been
found to be the cause of more rare scoliosis
diagnosis, as well as birth defects such as
spina bifi da, which effects the development
of bones in the spine.
Diagnosis
When the spine bends to the side, the vertebrae become twisted and pull the ribs around with them. This can
sometimes be seen as a ‘bulge’ in the back and/or prominent shoulder blade.
Most spinal curvatures may be of either early onset, before the age of 7 years, or late onset, usually in adolescence –
particularly during the growth spurt. Although there is no notable difference in the diagnosis of mild scoliosis between
boys and girls, girls have been found to suffer more from severe spinal curvatures and require more treatment.
Treatment and recovery
Scoliosis is quite common. About three or four children per thousand of the general population will need specialist
supervision as a result of a spinal scoliosis, and about one child in every thousand will need corrective surgery.
The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the better the chances of satisfactory long-term results from physiotherapy.
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ADOLESCENCE
is the period of growth between
CHILDHOOD
EARLY
ADOLESCENCE: AGES 10–15
MIDDLE
ADOLESCENCE: AGES 14–17
LATE
ADOLESCENCE: AGES 16–19
and
ADULTHOOD
THE GROWTH
SPURT
BONE GROWTH
MUSCLE &
FAT TISSUE
CHANGES
- GROWTH-PLATE
FRACTURES
- SEVER’S DISEASE
- OSGOOD-SCHLATTER’S
DISEASE
- OSTEOCHONDRITIS
- SCOLIOSIS
GROWTH-RELATED INJURIES AND CONDITIONS
- SCHEUERMANN’S
DISEASE
INCREASE IN
TESTOSTERONE (BOYS)
AND OESTROGEN (GIRLS)
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The legal and professional requirements for leading physical activity sessions
Section 1
How to maintain professional boundaries when working
with adolescents
As physical activity professionals, we are in a privileged position and will often be in contact with children and young
people within a physical environment/setting. Our role is to motivate and encourage them to participate in physical
activities, to have fun through building positive relationships and a rapport with the individuals and doing nothing
that will harm them.
To maintain these professional boundaries when working with adolescents, we need to consider the relevant legal
responsibilities we have and ensure we adhere to them:
• Safeguarding children and vulnerable young adults – safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote
the welfare of children and vulnerable young adults and protect them from harm.
• Duty of Care is ‘a moral and legal obligation to ensure the safety or well-being of others.’
• In loco parentis is the Latin for ‘in place of a parent’ and refers to the legal responsibility of a person and/or
organisation to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent.
As a physical activity professional, it is important to understand and apply safe working practise in relation to each
of the following:
SAFE WORK AREA AND
PRACTICE
Are there current risk assessments
in place for the area and activities
specific to the age group you
are working with? Appropriate
adaptations should be used when
working with specialist groups.
SITE PROCEDURES
Are you aware of the specific site
procedures you are working in and
the reporting procedures for the
specific age group you are working
with? This will include following
organisational procedures
related to safeguarding, reporting
procedures and incidents.
EQUIPMENT
Is there the correct equipment/
size of equipment available for
the specific age group you are
working with? Ensure equipment is
clean and stored at an appropriate
height for users.
NUMBERS AND REGISTERS
Have you got a register or signing-in
procedure for the specific age group
you are working with? Do you have the
necessary information about the child or
young person, and has parental consent
been given for photographs, administering
first aid or medication?
STORING AND SHARING OF
PERSONAL DATA
Is the personal information provided
about the child or young person stored
securely? Is confidentiality adhered to so
that only authorised staff can access it on
a ‘need to know’ basis, in line with Data
Protection legislation (GDPR)?
PERSONAL SAFETY
Holding appropriate qualifications for
the session delivered and only working
with participants for which you are
qualified and maintaining CPD. Is correct
public liability insurance in place? Who
is the duty first aider and where is the
nearest contact phone and first aid kit?
Programming safe and effective physical activity for adolescents
It is essential that professional boundaries are maintained. There are some key ‘do’s and don’ts’ to ensure all
participants and physical activity professionals are kept safe and organisational safeguarding policies and
procedures are followed.
DO:
Ensure you have correct contact details of the child and
emergency contact details.
Always use appropriate language and behaviour and
challenge any discriminatory or offensive behaviour.
DON’T:
Store participants’ details on your own personal
phone (if you are self-employed then have a work and
personal phone).
Link to participants’ Facebook or other social network
sites.
Use hurtful, disrespectful comments or ignore other
participants’ comments.
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Selecting suitable activities
Section 5
Suitable types of equipment
The still developing bodies of young people mean that adult equipment is not always the most suitable in terms of
producing a functional range of movement in a young adolescent.
The physical activity professional should be able to judge whether the equipment they are working with is the correct
size and shape to ensure safety and effectiveness for the adolescent in question. If the equipment is deemed as
unsuitable in proportion, an alternative exercise is required.
Listed below is the typical equipment used in a group physical activity environment which is suitable for adolescent
use.
Fitness equipment
Steps
Medicine balls
Hand weights
Stability balls
Wobble boards and bosu’s
Barbells and dumbbells
Programming safe and effective physical activity for adolescents
Resistance bands
Indoor bikes
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