BOOT camps are being put through gruelling tests under research to protect would-be fitness fanatics from the risks of high-intensity exercise. As the popularity of outdoor extreme exercise programs skyrockets, a study aims to develop a definition of what should be considered a boot camp so organisers can understand their dangers and how to protect those using them.
About 30 per cent of gym members take part in outdoor training each week.
And Dr Alex Donaldson, of Federation University Australia's Australian Centre for *Research into Injury in Sport and its Prevention, said there were huge differences in *programs marketed under the title of boot camp.
"Boot camps often involve high-intensity, potentially high-injury risk activities with participants who are often relatively unfit and new to exercise," he said. "Some *are using the label of boot camp because they *believe it will *attract customers.
"We are also hearing that some people are steering away from using the words ... *because of the reputation it is high intensity with somebody shouting or barking instructions at you at, and that it has to be at 6am in the cold."
Originally modelled on military training, boot camps typically involve high-intensity activities at parks, beaches and woods at dusk or dawn.
Progression Fitness owner Ben Scolyer said boot camp was a loose marketing term, but one size did not fit all.
"Be very cautious of any program claiming to be for all fitness levels - someone looking to lose 30kg should not be in the same group as a person at an advanced level of fitness," Mr Scolyer said.
http://www.news.com.au/national/vic...ss-regime-safety/story-fnii5sms-1226795412670
About 30 per cent of gym members take part in outdoor training each week.
And Dr Alex Donaldson, of Federation University Australia's Australian Centre for *Research into Injury in Sport and its Prevention, said there were huge differences in *programs marketed under the title of boot camp.
"Boot camps often involve high-intensity, potentially high-injury risk activities with participants who are often relatively unfit and new to exercise," he said. "Some *are using the label of boot camp because they *believe it will *attract customers.
"We are also hearing that some people are steering away from using the words ... *because of the reputation it is high intensity with somebody shouting or barking instructions at you at, and that it has to be at 6am in the cold."
Originally modelled on military training, boot camps typically involve high-intensity activities at parks, beaches and woods at dusk or dawn.
Progression Fitness owner Ben Scolyer said boot camp was a loose marketing term, but one size did not fit all.
"Be very cautious of any program claiming to be for all fitness levels - someone looking to lose 30kg should not be in the same group as a person at an advanced level of fitness," Mr Scolyer said.
http://www.news.com.au/national/vic...ss-regime-safety/story-fnii5sms-1226795412670