Required skills

communication skills to provide clear instruction and constructive feedback to older clients family members medical and allied health professionals regarding the preexercise screening and alternative options

problemsolving skills to

identify exercises targeted at specific fitness components or medical conditions and make modifications where required

select functional exercises that are appropriate for the clients taking into account their abilities and interests

recognise conditions outside own scope of practice and make appropriate recommendations or referrals

planning and organising skills to plan and instruct the exercise session including accessing required equipment and making appropriate modifications to equipment and exercise selection

interpersonal skills to interact effectively with older clients

numeracy skills to manage the time of sessions and facility schedules

application of injury prevention strategies for older clients

Required knowledge

recommended healthy eating guidelines for older clients to enable the provision of accurate information to clients

the limitations of a fitness instructor in providing healthy eating information

the medical and allied health sector to enable appropriate recommendations and referrals be made to clients or family members

principles of biomechanics and exercise science to enable the selection of exercises appropriate to client conditions and needs

physiological social and emotional processes of ageing to enable effective planning of programs

principles of exercise program design to cater for a variety of managed medical conditions

legislation and regulatory requirements and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe and appropriate conduct of exercise for older clients

general characteristics of the main older client social and cultural groups in Australian society and the key aspects that relate to their cultural and religious protocols and preferences for exercise

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential

screens older clients prior to commencement of exercise sessions and communicates results to family members where appropriate and recommends referral to appropriate medical or allied health professionals where necessary

develops a variety of sessions for a range of older clients that are fun interactive and safe

provides accurate and current healthy eating information in accordance with recommended guidelines

modifies individual exercises to accommodate the specific needs of the client

evaluates exercise sessions and modifies exercise plans according to feedback received from clients and own evaluation

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure instruction of multiple exercise sessions that are of sufficient duration and breadth to allow the demonstration of competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

a facility or venue where a variety of exercise modes and equipment are available such as a weights gym exercise room and open air

relevant resources for example healthy eating information

appropriate documentation normally used in the workplace such as preexercise and assessment questionnaires

a range of client groups composed of older clients with a variety of managed conditions

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

observation of instructing and monitoring exercise sessions for older clients

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the ageing process and how this relates to effective exercise planning

a portfolio of plans for exercise programs for older clients with different managed conditions

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing work performance

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

SISFFITA Plan and deliver group exercise sessions

SISFFIT309A Plan and deliver group exercise sessions.

Pre-exercise screening must include:

Exercise programs may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Legislation and regulatory requirements may include:

Older clients may include:

Needs and expectations may include:

Major types of injuries or conditions may include

Medical or allied health professional may include:

Exercise repertoire may include:

Ageing process may include:

Injury risks may include:

Equipment may include:

Cultural and social differences may include:

Instructional techniques may include:

Baseline assessment may include:

Balanced nutrition may include:

Motivational techniques may include:

Modifications may include:

Exercise plan may include: