CIMSPA has issued a new policy to help ensure fitness and physical activity training is delivered safely online.

Delivering sport and physical activity online has been designed to support individual and independent practitioners across the UK and covers live-streamed, pre-recorded, private and open sessions.

The launch follows consultation with the sector, which has seen Active Partnerships, EMD UK, ukactive and UK Coaching having input.

Guidance to practitioners covers areas such as:

• Being qualified to deliver the activity

• Insurance • Risk assessment and participant disclaimers

• Ensuring safety of participants and practitioners• Safeguarding

• Music licensing

Delivering sport and physical activity online has been designed to support all individual UK sport and physical activity practitioners participating in a role which requires a technical qualification, who are currently delivering or planning to deliver content through an online platform.

Those working within or on behalf of an organisation are advised to consult that organisation’s internal policies.

Danielle Peel, head of organisation, design and development for CIMSPA, said: “Online and digital delivery of physical activity has been a growing trend for several years, and has been accelerated by COVID-19 restrictions.

"It can be a great solution for practitioners and customers alike, but there is the potential for harm if best practice isn’t followed. This policy and guidance will help practitioners to be clear about the requirements and considerations for operating safely in the online environment.”

The policy and accompanying guidance can be downloaded from the CIMSPA website: click here.