Pinnacle Training & Consulting Systems (PTCS) has created an advanced continuing education program, “Synergy of Human Movement.”  This is the only advanced continuing education program that examines human movement from a bio-mechanical perspective, lending insight to how injuries develop and how to train clients post-therapy, based on the latest evidence and research. This course provides the highest quality of continuing education in areas including: functional anatomy, bio-mechanics, common movement dysfunctions, periodization training, rationale for exercise prescriptions, and post-therapy training.

Before you train with a client, it is essential to understand the science behind movement — otherwise, why are you training?  This course is designed to challenge your comprehension, as we analyze motion, movement and truly understand how the human body functions.

PTCS has partnered with NAFC to offer this advanced continuing educational material with specialized learning options:

 Prerequisites: National Personal Training Certification and/or bachelor’s degree in exercise science or related field; CPR certification.

Course Materials Include: A comprehensive, referenced 479-page manual divided into six sections.  Each section concludes with multiple-choice questions to test comprehension. The course comes with a 5-DVD set also developed by Pinnacle’s creator, Chris Gellert, PT, MPT, CSCS, CPT.

Synergy of Human Movement Course Outline:

• Unit One: Human movement and how dysfunctions develop:  This unit will introduce and discuss the importance of understanding functional anatomy as it relates to human movement, biomechanical principles, biomechanics of movement, biomechanics of connective tissue & structure, how all systems of the body affect one another, and how dysfunctions of the upper and lower body occur. Common medications’ effects and side effects will be discussed.
• Unit Two: Fitness assessment: Examines how to conduct an ideal fitness assessment.  The importance of screening and referring to other allied health professionals will be thoroughly examined. Assessment of body composition (BMI), flexibility, muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance will be studied in-depth. Common diagnostic tests will also be discussed.  Postural dysfunctions and respective training will be examined, as well.
• Unit Three: Principles of therapeutic exercise/program design: Studies the principles and procedures of therapeutic exercise, program design, and their interrelationship. This unit examines therapeutic exercise in practice with post-rehabilitative clients.
• Unit Four: Integrative training: Examines integrative training principles such as neuromuscular training, spine stabilization training, stretching, and the dynamic interplay between them.  Exercise prescriptions with sample workout programs, and clinical rationale for mastering exercise prescription, are included for work with all levels of clients.
• Unit Five: Introduction, scope of practice, professionalism and developing allied health relationships: Provides a course summary with actionable steps to guide the trainer in initiating client relationships, discussing the scope of professionalism and how to build allied health relationships.
• Unit Six: Foundation of Business Marketing: Thoroughly discusses the essentials of marketing, with actionable steps to take in successfully “branding” yourself as proficient in niche markets and specialized training.

Our program is an approved CEU provider with:

ACE – 2.0 CEU / AFLCA – 12 CEU / Can-Fit-Pro – 4.0 CEU / CPTN – 14.0 CEU / NASM – 1.9 CEU / NCCPT – 1.9 CEU / NCSF – 10 CEU / NETA 20 – CEU / NFPT -1 Credit fulfilling 6 month requirement as required by NFPT / NSCA – 1.9 CEU / W.I.T.S. – 20 CEU

Q: What is a passing score for written and practical examinations?

A: You must achieve a score of 75% on each section.

Notification of scores: Please allow 4-6 weeks for grading of the examination, from the date you took your exam.

Q: What will I be asked for my written examination?

A: You will be asked questions pertaining to all six units of the course, with emphasis on functional anatomy, biomechanics, periodization training, and post-therapy training principles. You will have three hours to complete the exam online after receiving a password/code.

Q: What will I be asked for my oral examination?

A: You will be asked three (3) case study questions within a thirty-minute period.  Don’t worry, though – there is no penalty if you take longer.  A case study represents a hypothetical client you might encounter.  With each question, you will be asked to define the anatomy, functional anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology of the presenting client.  You will be required to list one exercise that is contraindicated (to be avoided), with a scientific rationale for this decision. You also will be asked to describe a sample periodized program, with rationale.

Q: If someone does not pass a section, what happens?

A: You are only required to re-take the portion you did not pass.  A maximum of three (3) attempts is allowed for re-testing purposes.