Ghanaian clients' perception of fitness instructors' adherence to exercise delivery services codes of conduct: An exploratory study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patronage for fitness and wellness activities has increased in Ghana, but the perception of primary consumers regarding exercise delivery service codes of conduct (EDCC) remains undocumented. This study reported the perception of clients about fitness instructors' adherence to EDCC. METHODS: Three hundred and seventy‐nine (mean age = 26.12 ± 8.83 years) clients registered with National Sports for ALL Association, Ghana (NASFAAG) were recruited. The participants were not living with any diagnosed disability, using psychiatric medication, and had consistently participated in fitness training, at least three times a week for a year, and not below the age of 18 years. The participants were recruited from fitness and wellness centers, gyms, and fitness clubs in three regions (Greater Accra—GA, Upper East—UE, and Ashanti—A) of Ghana. A closed‐ended, self‐structured and validated awareness and adherence exercise delivery codes of conduct questionnaires was administered. The questionnaire focused on data protection and responsibility, informed consent, competence, and professional and personal conduct adapted from the British Association of Sports and Exercise Science codes of conduct was administered. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 was used to run factor analysis which determined factorial distribution of clients' perception of instructors on codes of conduct. RESULTS: In total, 50.99% (UE), 47.68% (A), and 46.02% (GA) clients indicated that identities were unprotected when trainers displayed information. In all, 31.05% (UE), 40.34% (A), and 36.48% (GA) showed they were introduced to substances without consent. In total, 38.89% (UE), 32.70% (A), and 53.55% (GA) clients participated in training to realize that the expertise expected was not provided. In all, 38.10% (UE) and 36.23% (A) agreed that instructors put safety at risk, while 23.02% (GA) exploited clients for personal gain. CONCLUSION: Fitness instructors need enlightenment to adhere ethically to EDCC activities in Ghana. Activities related to wellness and fitness in Ghana require regulations.