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In 2002, NSSQA started working with strength and conditioning coaches and scientists from national, state and territory institutes and academies of sport to assist with the development and implementation of quality assurance programs. The need for a facilities accreditation scheme in strength and conditioning has evolved from recognition of the concern for and the need to:

(1) set minimum standards of equipment within facilities to optimise the training of athletes;

(2) ensure all athletes identified at a national level have access to suitably equipped training environments;

(3) have access to calibrated and verified equipment used to assess strength and power;

(4) develop clear protocols for testing, and

(5) establish means whereby professionals within the field can recognise professional competence at different levels.

 Overall, the accreditation process aims to enhance the quality of S&C support available to Australian athletes and coaches.

Facilities Accreditation

The primary aim of the accreditation process is to achieve comparability of athlete testing results between different S&C Facilities. Secondary aims are to give coaches and athletes greater confidence in strength & conditioning services, encourage S&C coaches to exchange information, develop a national database of accredited facilities and coaches and encourage national sporting organisations and coaches to use it, develop a database of appropriate measurement error tolerances for commonly conducted tests, and develop a database of test results on elite athletes by pooling results from all accredited facilities.

Quality assurance in laboratories is well established in areas such as pathology and haematology, materials testing and metrology. For example, if you receive a cholesterol result from your doctor, the result is likely to be from a calibrated analyser, using documented procedures with the result printed on the report actually pertaining to the sample that was submitted for analysis. Many government laboratories must, by law, have quality assurance certification. ISO Guide 25 (1990) is specifically concerned with quality assurance in laboratories. This guide is based on ISO 9001 and all 20 clauses of this standard must be addressed by the applicant laboratory. ISO Guide 25 is the standard against which a hospital pathology laboratory would be assessed for certification.

The ISO 9001 standard and evaluation by National Association of Testing Authorities assessors are considered to be too excessive for Strength & Conditioning Facilities. Rather we have implemented an accreditation system based on the ISO guidelines that is appropriate and functional within the constraints of time and resources of Strength & Conditioning Facilities in which athletes are tested. The process continues to be refined over time because quality assurance is, by definition, one of ongoing improvement. It should also be pointed out that quality assurance in Australian S&C Facilities has been implemented gradually after being initiated by strength & conditioning specialists themselves. S&C Facility accreditation is not merely an examination of a facility, but a collaborative effort to improve standards of athlete testing. NSSQA advises applicant facilities on how to rectify any perceived deficiencies observed during an assessment.

The rationale and mechanisms of the NSSQA S&C Facility accreditation program are summarised below.

Accreditation is based on an on-site assessment by expert peers to 'critically evaluate all aspects of the facility management, staff, facilities and operations likely to affect the reliability and accuracy of its test results'. A report of the visit for each facility are evaluated by the National Accreditation Committee, which is the body that grants accreditation. The committee is convened by the Australia Sports Commission and NSSQA.

Accreditation requirements

The NSSQA program for accreditation of S&C facilities is based on a high performance approach. Two levels are implemented – High Performance Gold and High Performance Silver. The aim of facility accreditation is to ensure that all S&C facilities provide an optimal training environment for high performance athletes by ensuring that they meet minimum standards with regard to training equipment requirements and quality assurance practices. Accreditation is awarded for a period of 4 years.

To apply for accreditation, or renew expiring quadrennial accreditation, facilities are required to submit written documentation/quality assurance manual that comprises the following:

(1) Training Facility Overview - detailed list of facility equipment, operational hours, facility operational procedures and information about informed consent processes;

(2) Staff Profile - positions and numbers, qualifications, job description, ASCA Pro Structure and accreditation level, CPR/1st aid qualifications;

(3) Equipment verification and maintenance logs.

 
Accreditation Visit:
The accreditation of S&C facilities involves an on-site review of submitted documentation and its implementation (e.g. equipment inventory verification and maintenance procedures, compliance with recommended guidelines for operational and performance issues). The assessment team will prepare a list of compliances and non-compliances observed during the visit and discuss this, and any other issues that may arise during the visitation, with facility staff.  Corrective actions will be discussed in regard to any observed non-compliances. Post visit, a written report will be provided to the facility by NSSQA. The facility is required to submit documented and or photographic evidence to NSSQA relating to any identified corrective action(s) within 3 months of the visit prior to the awarding of accreditation.

Biennial Report:

Accreditation is subject to the submission of a biennial report (every 2 years). Each accredited S&C facility is required to provide updated information where changes have occurred in relation to the four key areas noted above. Biennial reports for each facility are due for submission to NSSQA at the mid-point of the awarded quadrennial accreditation period, with the due date for this report to be determined when accreditation is awarded.

Accreditation costs

Whilst there is no application fee or membership fee associated with NSSQA accreditation, there are a number of costs that can be attributed to achieving and maintaining NSSQA accreditation requirements. It is difficult to be precise because the needs of different facilities will vary.   Furthermore, the fundamental aim of any quality assurance program is continued improvement, so costs of accreditation should not be viewed as simple 'one-off' costs, rather as an ongoing commitment of resources.

Accredited facilities

Current NSSQA accredited High Performance Strength & Conditioning facilities, their accreditation level and their re-accreditation dates are:

More information

For more information on the NSSQA High Performance Strength & Conditioning Facility accreditation program or to receive 'intention to seek NSSQA accreditation' documentation contact:

Email: NSSQA@ausport.gov.au