*New* - 8th Edition AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional Online Prep Course

New - 8th Edition AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional Online Prep Course

Course Access is available for 1 Year

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Course Information

Includes: 8th Edition AFP Manual ebook/digital or hard copy version, AEA AFP 8th Edition Online Prep Course, AEA AFP Learning Objectives, Sample Test and one-time Exam Fee.

Also includes a one-year AEA Membership, which includes Akwa magazine in digital format and access to the Members Only area of the AEA website.

This Online Ed Preparation Course, developed by AEA experts, is an excellent resource to build the skills necessary to lead aquatic group exercise, small group and personal training. Utilizing additional reading resources, quizzes, puzzles and videos, the 90 learning objectives provide in-depth education for aquatic exercise leadership and knowledge. Also included is a sample test with question format similar to the AEA Certification Examination. This course is highly recommended, but not required, for those seeking AEA Certification and is designed to reinforce the 2026 8th Edition AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional Manual.

Course curriculum

1. Read This First
2. Welcome to the AEA AFP Online Prep Course
3. AFPC Candidate Handbook
4. Aquatic Fitness Professional Learning Objectives
5. Accessing the HKPropel Online Content Additional Resources
6. CEC/CEU Notice
1. Using the Movement Libraries
2. Shallow-Water Toning Exercise Video
3. Shallow-Water Cardiorespiratory Exercise Video
4. Deep-Water Cardiorespiratory Exercise Video
1. Objective 1: Understand the differences between physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness.
2. Objective 2a: Define the major health-related and skill-related components of physical fitness.
3. Objective 2b: Word Search Activity
4. Objective 3: Understand the current American College of Sports Medicine guidelines regarding frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT) of exercise, as well as the importance of progression and volume.
5. Objective 4: Understand common methods for monitoring exercise intensity, including rating of perceived exertion and the application of the Kruel Aquatic Heart Rate Deduction.
6. Objective 5: Explain the differences between continuous, interval, and circuit training formats.
7. Objective 6: Recognize the physiological and psychological benefits of regular exercise as well as the specific benefits associated with aquatic-based exercise.
8. Objective 7: Understand how proper nutrition can help participants achieve many goals by supplying the body with the nutrients needed to grow, perform, and recover.
9. Chapter 1 Quiz
1. Objective 8a: Recognize the structural organization of the human body.
2. Objective 8b: Recognize the structural organization of the human body.
3. Objective 9: Understand the five systems of the body that are most pertinent to fitness professionals.
4. Objective 10: Explain how bones grow, including the influence of exercise and nutrition.
5. Objective 11: Differentiate between the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.
6. Objective 12: Define the four principal characteristics of muscle tissue.
7. Objective 13: Describe how muscles are arranged in the human body.
8. Objective 14: Identify and locate the major muscles, including the joints moved.
9. Objective 15: Describe how the nervous system works with the muscular system to create movement.
10. Objective 16a: Explain how oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged within the respiratory system.
11. Objective 16b: Crossword Puzzle Activity
12. Objective 17a: Describe the role of the cardiovascular system during exercise.
13. Objective 17b: Word Search Activity
14. Objective 18a: Explain the flow of blood through the body.
15. Objective 18b: Blood Flow Video Review
16. Chapter 2 Quiz
1. Objective 19: Define the eight physiological principles required for improving fitness.
2. Objective 20: Understand the three metabolic systems the body uses to produce ATP and how they work together during exercise.
3. Objective 21: Recognize the difference between fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibers.
4. Objective 22a: Differentiate between isometric, isotonic, and isokinetic muscle actions and contractions.
5. Objective 22b: Muscle Contraction Video
6. Objective 23: Understand the importance of maintaining muscle balance and how muscle balance is promoted in the aquatic environment.
7. Objective 24: Understand the acute physiological responses to both aerobic and anaerobic exercise.
8. Chapter 3 Quiz
1. Objective 25: Define and describe anatomical position and understand key anatomical reference terms.
2. Objective 26: Describe the difference between center of gravity and center of buoyancy and how each influences posture, alignment, and balance in the water.
3. Objective 27a: Explain the three planes of movement and the joint actions that occur in each.
4. Objective 27b: Video - Planes & Joint Actions
5. Objective 27c: Planes Continued
6. Objective 27d: Video - Exercises in Each Plane
7. Objective 28: Understand the basic structure of the synovial joints most involved with exercise design and recognize movements that occur at each joint.
8. Objective 29: Recognize the interaction between the skeletal and the muscular systems in producing movement.
9. Objective 30a: Understand how movement in water differs from movement on land and how different types of aquatic equipment influence the muscle actions.
10. Objective 30b: Video - Drag Equipment
11. Objective 30c: Muscle Actions Continued
12. Objective 30d: Video - Buoyant Equipment
13. Objective 30e: Muscle Actions Continued
14. Objective 30f: Video - Weighted Equipment
15. Objective 30g: Muscle Actions Continued
16. Objective 30h: Video - Rubberized Equipment
17. Objective 30i: Muscle Actions Continued
18. Chapter 4 Quiz
1. Objective 31: Understand the three key principles regarding the complexity of behavior change for exercise participants.
2. Objective 32: Explain and apply the three strategies for motivating exercise participants for sustained change.
3. Objective 33: Define the terms of autonomy, competence, and relatedness as they relate to the theory of self-determination.
4. Objective 34: Understand the process of motivational interviewing to assist participants with motivation and exercise adherence.
5. Objective 35: Explore two case scenarios that give insight into providing exercise motivation for a group setting and assisting participants through exercise barriers.
6. Chapter 5 Quiz
1. Objective 36: Recognize the physiological benefits of water immersion and how these are influenced by individual differences of participants, environmental concerns, and programming.
2. Objective 37a: Explain how buoyancy affects individual participants differently and how this property of water can influence outcomes of vertical water exercise.
3. Objective 37b: Crossword Activity
4. Objective 38: Understand how water’s resistance is influenced by viscosity and differentiate between streamlined and turbulent flow.
5. Objective 39: Define drag, hydrostatic pressure, and surface tension and explain how each influences aquatic exercise.
6. Objective 40a: Understand Newton’s laws of motion (inertia, acceleration, and action and reaction) as they relate to aquatic exercise program design.
7. Objective 40b: Newton's Laws Video
8. Objective 40c: Understanding Newton's Laws Continued
9. Objective 41a: Recognize how to apply the principles of levers, frontal resistance, and speed of movement to alter aquatic exercise intensity.
10. Objective 41b: Additional Training Principle Video
11. Objective 41c: Additional Training Principles Continued
12. Chapter 6 Quiz
1. Objective 42: Understand the recommended guidelines for water temperature, air temperature, and humidity levels to ensure a safe pool environment for aquatic exercise.
2. Objective 43: Understand how the pool environment influences heat dissipation during aquatic fitness programs and how to adjust programs accordingly.
3. Objective 44: Recognize water temperature ranges for programs that target specific populations and health conditions.
4. Objective 45: Be aware of the importance of maintaining water and air quality for pool safety.
5. Objective 46: Explain the influence of pool design—pool slope and depth, surfaces of the pool bottom and pool deck, gutters, designated entry and exit areas, and acoustic concerns—on safe and effective program design.
6. Objective 47: Recognize the need for adequate pool space at the appropriate water depth and the value of wearing shoes in and around the pool area.
7. Chapter 7 Quiz
1. Objective 48: Know the required and recommended safety training for aquatic fitness professionals.
2. Objective 49: Understand risk management strategies to reduce the occurrence of injury, illness, or drowning in your aquatic programs.
3. Objective 50: Define standard of care and be aware of two key sets of standards provided by the AEA: AEA’s Certified Aquatic Fitness Professional Code of Ethics and Conduct and AEA’s Standards and Guidelines for Aquatic Fitness
4. Objective 51: Recognize the five general factors that influence liability and the four factors that must be present in order to demonstrate professional negligence.
5. Objective 52: Understand the importance of proper documentation within the legal aspect of the fitness industry including informed consent, waiver or liability, and injury reports.
6. Objective 53: Define the most common types of insurance applicable to fitness professionals.
7. Objective 54: Define emergency action plan (EAP) and assessment procedures for responsive and unresponsive people.
8. Objective 55: Recognize the difference between a distressed person and a drowning situation and understand how to make a safe assist based on your level of training.
9. Objective 56a: Understand the emergency first aid procedures for sudden illnesses common to aquatic fitness programs.
10. Objective 56b: Crossword Activity
11. Objective 57a: Differentiate between acute and chronic injuries; know basic first aid for acute injuries and aquatic program strategies to help prevent chronic injuries.
12. Objective 57b: Crossword Activity
13. Objective 58: Recognize both the potential danger of electrical shock in the aquatic environment and how to minimize its risk.
14. Chapter 8 Quiz
1. Objective 59: Define shallow-water exercise.
2. Objective 60: Learn evidence-based benefits of shallow-water exercise.
3. Objective 61a: Learn variations to the three types of lower-body base moves used in shallow-water exercise.
4. Objective 61b: Shallow-Water Lower-Body Base Moves Video
5. Objective 62a: Understand the five methods for creating safe and effective movements for the upper body in shallow-water exercise.
6. Objective 62b: Shallow-Water Upper-Body Base Moves Video
7. Objective 62c: Shallow-Water Upper Body-Base Moves Continued
8. Objective 63a: Discover shallow-water impact options to accommodate the variety of fitness levels of participants in your aquatic programs.
9. Objective 63b: Level 1 Video
10. Objective 63c: Level II
11. Objective 63d: Level II Video
12. Objective 63e: Level III
13. Objective 63f: Level III Video
14. Objective 63g: Power Tuck
15. Objective 63h: Power Tuck Video
16. Objective 63i: Grounded
17. Objective 63j: Grounded Video
18. Objective 63k: Propelled
19. Objective 63l: Propelled Video
20. Objective 64a: Understand the benefits of using land, water, and half water tempos, as well as cadence, to add variety to your Shallow-Water aquatic programming and aid in safe transitions.
21. Objective 64b: Shallow-Water Tempo Options Video
22. Objective 65: Recognize how the aquatic environment influences posture and alignment and understand the importance of proper demonstration and cueing to maintain neutral alignment.
23. Chapter 9 Quiz
1. Objective 66: Define deep-water and transitional depth training.
2. Objective 67: Understand current deep-water training research relating to cardiorespiratory effects, effort and energy expenditure, and form.
3. Objective 68a: Learn variations to the three lower-body base moves used in deep-water and how these differ from shallow-water exercise.
4. Objective 68b: Deep-Water Lower-Body Base Moves Video
5. Objective 69a: Understand the various methods for incorporating safe and effective upper-body movements in deep water.
6. Objective 69b: Deep-Water Upper-Body Options Video
7. Objective 70a: Recognize non-impact exercise variations achieved through body positioning that simulate shallow-water impact options to accommodate multi-depth programming.
8. Objective 70b: Deep-Water Body Positions Video
9. Objective 71a: Define and apply the various deep-water tempo options.
10. Objective 71b: Deep-Water Tempo Options Video
11. Objective 72: Recognize the key concepts that set deep-water, non-impact training apart from shallow-water exercise.
12. Objective 73a: Recognize the importance of participant evaluation for deep-water safety and understand how to teach vertical recovery techniques.
13. Objective 73b: Deep-Water Vertical Recovery Video
14. Objective 73c: Deep-Water Common Situations & Solutions
15. Objective 73d: Deep-Water Common Situations & Solutions Video
16. Objective 73e: Participant Preparation for Deep-Water
17. Chapter 10 Quiz
1. Objective 74: Recognize the importance of demonstrating, cueing, and reinforcing proper posture and alignment.
2. Objective 75: Explain the purpose of different types of cues—form and safety, motivational, transitional, imagery, feedback, and relaxation—and differentiate between the various types of transitional cues.
3. Objective 76a: Understand the three methods for delivering cues: audible, visual, and tactile.
4. Objective 76b: Delivering Cues Video
5. Objective 76c: Additional Cueing Tips
6. Objective 77a: Understand the differences and similarities between the three primary categories of transitions for shallow-water and deep-water exercise.
7. Objective 77b: Shallow-Water Basic Transitions Video
8. Objective 77c: Shallow-Water Intermediate Transitions
9. Objective 77d: Shallow-Water Intermediate Transitions Video
10. Objective 77e: Shallow-Water Advanced Transitions
11. Objective 77f: Shallow-Water Advanced Transitions Video
12. Objective 77g: Deep-Water Basic Transitions
13. Objective 77h: Deep-Water Basic Transitions Video
14. Objective 77i: Deep-Water Transitional Moves
15. Objective 77j: Deep-Water Transitional Moves Video
16. Objective 77k: Deep-Water Tempo Transitions
17. Objective 77l: Deep-Water Tempo Transitions Video
18. Objective 78: Define the common terms associated with choreography as well as the various choreography styles.
19. Objective 79: Understand how to use music effectively in aquatic programming, including the recommended tempo for various programs and formats. Be aware of copyright laws that govern the legal use of music for classes and training sessions.
20. Objective 80: Explain the advantages and disadvantages of leading programs from in the water, on the pool deck, or with a combination of both locations.
21. Objective 81: Recognize the signs and symptoms of vocal abuse and voice care to prevent injury.
22. Objective 82: Recognize the attributes associated with professionalism in the aquatic fitness industry.
23. Objective 83: Understand diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as it relates to exercise. Be familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to prevent discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
24. Standards & Guidelines
25. Code of Ethics
26. Professional Affirmations
27. Chapter 11 Quiz
1. Objective 84: Explain the purpose for the main program components (warm-up, conditioning, cool-down, and stretch), and recognize how to adapt each for the aquatic environment.
2. Objective 85: Understand how to create variations of the conditioning phase of the program to achieve various goals and accommodate the needs and abilities of your participants.
3. Objective 86a: Learn how to incorporate general recommendations for program components into numerous programming formats that provide training variety and motivate a wide range of participants.
4. Objective 86b: Word Search Puzzle Activity
5. Objective 87a. Recognize movements in the aquatic environment that may require greater consideration to use them safely and effectively.
6. Objective 87b: Movements Requiring Greater Consideration
7. Chapter 12 Quiz
1. Objective 88: Recognize your limitations as a fitness professional and when to refer participants to a more qualified instructor, trainer, therapist, or health care professional.
2. Objective 89: Be aware of how the specific properties of water, including hydrostatic pressure, buoyancy, and drag, allow for the adaptations associated with aquatic exercise programs.
3. Objective 90a: Identify some of the populations that often participate in aquatic exercise.
4. Objective 90b: Chapter 13 Quiz
5. Objective 90c: Diverse Population Summary
1. Next Steps Video
2. AEA AFP Exam Technical Requirements
3. CPR Information
1. Important Information - Sample Test
2. Sample Test Aquatic Fitness Professional (Pre-Exam)

About this course

$219.00
184 lessons
3 hours of video content

Aquatic Exercise Association