Informed Consent/ Waiver PE 254

Informed Consent Informed consent is a legal condition whereby a person can be said to have given consent based upon an appreciation and understanding of the facts and implications of an action. The individual needs to be in possession of relevant facts and also of his reasoning faculties, such as not being mentally retarded or mentally ill and without an impairment of judgment at the time of consenting. Such impairments might include illness, intoxication, insufficient sleep, and other health problems.legalconsentmentally retardedmentally illimpairment judgmentintoxicationsleephealth

Informed Consent All clients should read and sign an informed consent before being tested. The consent should explain the purpose and process of the testing and include a statement of the potential for benefits, discomfort, pain or even death associated with its implementation.

Informed Consent Informed consent should include a statement that results will remain confidential and that participation is strictly voluntary. Test administrators should obtain signed inform consent forms from every person who enters your programs and before every test you administer.

Samples of Informed Consent Forms Sample Informed Consent Form.pdf Sample Informed Consent Form 2.pdf Sample Informed Consent Form 3.pdf Sample Informed Consent Form 4.pdf

Waiver A waiver, also called a prospective release, is a contract between two parties (e.g., health/fitness facilities and their participants).

Waiver A good waiver should clearly and specifically use the word “negligence” in the exculpatory clause. Always consult an attorney in the state that you will be practicing (Cotton & Cotton, Legal Aspects of Waivers in Sport).

Waiver A contractual waiver must include: Agreement: Fitness facility offers to enter into a legal agreement and the other party agrees. Consideration: The member agrees to give up their right (the waiver) negligence claim against the facility in exchange for receiving certain services (the promise). Contractual capacity: Both parties must have the legal capacity to contract—those who do not have the legal capacity should not be allowed to sign waivers. Legality: The waiver must not go against matters that are considered unlawful or against public policy.

Waiver A waiver must be conspicuous. A waiver must be signed at the time of contract signing.

10 Tips for Analyzing a Waiver 1. Make the waiver conspicuous. 2. Make sure the consideration requirements for a contract is adequately stated. 3. Exculpatory clause should be bold and conspicuous and include the words “ordinary negligence.” 4. Wording should be broad to cover all types of situations. 5. Duration of the waiver should be clear (“present and future claims”)

10 Tips for Analyzing a Waiver 6. All parties clearly listed in the waiver. 7. Clause should cover inherent risk of activity as well as any specific risk associated with participation. 8. Maybe include an indemnification (i.e. compensation or reparation) clause which will require the person who signed to reimburse for losses due to a lawsuit. 9. Severability clause will insure that even if part of the waiver is considered invalid, the rest is still valid. Rather than having the court throw out the entire waiver. 10. Must include that the individual is of legal age. Place this statement just about the signature.

Proper Administering of the Waiver Explain verbally, honestly, and clearly. Participant should have adequate time to read the waiver and should be asked verbally if they read and understood the waiver. Verify age and identification. Read the waiver to the participant who cannot read it. Retain waivers for a certain period of time (based on state law). Preserve the waiver so it can be quickly and easily accessible.

Samples of Waiver Forms Sample Waiver Form.doc Sample Waiver Form 3.pdf

Group Activities Group 1: Administering a Fitness Gram Test (e.g., one-mile run, sit-ups, and push-ups) on adults (ages 30 to 45) for a research study on a college campus. Group 2: Administering an agility test (e.g., shuttle run) on college students (ages 18 to 35) for a research study at the campus fitness center. Group 3: Administering a gait and balance tests on older adults (ages 65 or older) for a research study at L.A. Fitness. Group 4: Administering a flexibility test (e.g., sit-and- reach) on older adults (ages 65 or older) for a research study at a retirement housing center.