Required skills

communication skills appropriate to the age and values of referred clients with cardiorespiratory conditions

problemsolving skills to identify adverse signs and symptoms requiring intervention and unsafe exercise performance and to recommend appropriate changes in consultation with an appropriate medical or allied health professional

team work skills to work collaboratively with medical or allied health professionals according to legal and ethical conditions

literacy and numeracy skills to enable the accurate interpretation of referrals and to record client exercise programs and calculate and adjust exercise duration and frequency

analytical skills to interpret information on the health and functional status of clients with cardiorespiratory conditions in terms of their medical conditions risk factors medical treatments and exercise history

decision making skills to determine appropriate instructional techniques

literacy skills to accurately document and report on client progress

instructional skills to ensure safe and appropriate application of the exercise program

report writing skills to relay written information to both client and referral source

Required knowledge

structure and function of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to enable understanding of cardiovascular responses to exercise and their relationship to cardiorespiratory conditions and the needs of clients including

structure of the heart coronary circulation and cardiac conduction including abnormalities

the interrelationship between the phases timing and heart sounds of the cardiac cycle

cardiovascular physiology and regulation of the cardiovascular system

respiratory physiology

circulatory and respiratory volume changes occurring in response to exercise the structural and physiological changes consistent with the pathology of cardiorespiratory conditions in relation to the needs of the client

body systems and their relationship to cardiorespiratory exercise to support safe and effective exercise outcomes including

musculoskeletal system and its relationship to safe and effectively rehabilitate exercise outcomes

nervous system and its relationship to the control of cardiovascular regulation and respiration

digestive system and its relationship to good health

causes and consequences of cardiorespiratory conditions in the context of their effect on exercise capacity and the role of physical activity in managing cardiorespiratory conditions and enhancing health

coronary risk factors in relation to screening fitness testing and exercise participation

contraindications associated with cardiorespiratory conditions to enable the provision monitoring and adjustment of safe and effective exercise

classes of medications used to manage cardiorespiratory conditions their effects on the condition potential interactions of exercise and medication and effect on exercise performance

common clinical tests used to evaluate functional capacity and the normal and abnormal values of physiological responses of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems in relation to these tests

recognised recommendations for exercise testing and prescription for cardiorespiratory conditions

medical and anatomical terminology to interpret referrals from medical or allied health professionals

motivational psychology to enable identification and mitigation of barriers to exercise adherence

nutritional aspects of cardiovascular disease

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe and effective exercise planning delivery and evaluation and to maintain the confidentiality of client information

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

communicates effectively with accredited exercise physiologist or relevant medical or allied health professionals regarding relevant health and functional status of the referred client and discusses aspects of exercise prescription with clients

when appropriate reacts to adverse events to deal with exercise program problems and issues

ability to correctly interpret the exercise prescription and makes modifications consistent with prescribed parameters and scope of practice

safely and effectively delivers exercise for referred clients with cardiorespiratory conditions and recommends appropriate alterations according to clients physical and motivational responses

monitors and maintains the safety of clients exercise equipment and the exercise setting and applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with problems and issues that may arise during the exercise program

applies all relevant legal and ethical requirements when discussing and recording client information

demonstrates appropriate manner empathy and patience when working with clients

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure demonstration of skills over a period of time within a facility where a variety of exercise modes and equipment are available to support effective exercise for clients with cardiorespiratory conditions

Assessment must also ensure access to

a range of clients with real or simulated cardiorespiratory conditions from a range of ages

a range of real or simulated medical or allied health professional referrals for a range of referred clients with cardiorespiratory conditions and risk factors

relevant documentation such as client record forms

demonstration of skills on sufficient occasions to determine competence in interpreting relevant information and delivering the prescribed exercise program for a range of clients with a range of cardiorespiratory 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 consulting with clients and carers and adjusting standard exercise prescriptions in consultation with an appropriate medical or allied health professional to account for a range of cardio respiratory conditions and risk factors to focus on functional capacity and health rather than physical fitness

observation of dealing effectively with a range of contingencies such as real or simulated client injuries or inability to complete the exercise prescription

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the physiology of cardiorespiratory conditions medications and associated risk factors

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 Deliver prescribed exercise to clients with metabolic conditions

SISFFIT524A Deliver prescribed exercise to clients with metabolic conditions.

Guidance information for assessment

Medical or allied health professional may include:

Cardiorespiratory condition may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Organisational policies and procedures must include:

Risk factors may include:

Goals and needs analysis may include:

Methods to enhance exercise adherence may include:

Records may include:

Cardiorespiratory conditioning may include:

Muscular conditioning may include:

Instructional techniques may include:

Exercise program may include:

Exercise equipment may include:

Monitor client responses may include:

Symptoms requiring intervention may include:

Procedures to respond to symptoms requiringintervention must include:

Signs of unstable condition may include:

Lifestyle modifications may include: