Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify client fitness requirements, administer a pre-exercise health screening questionnaire and advise clients of appropriate fitness programs, services and facilities. This involves using industry endorsed risk stratification procedures when determining the provision of suitable advice regarding services and referral requirements.
This unit applies to fitness instructors who work in a variety of fitness locations such as fitness, leisure and community centres. These individuals typically work independently with some level of autonomy in a controlled environment. Work is performed according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify client fitness requirements. | 1.1 Question clients to confirm fitness goals, expectations and preferences. 1.2 Confirm current and past physical activity participation. 1.3 Describe available programs, services and facilities relevant to client needs and expectations. |
2. Administer pre-exercise health screening questionnaire. | 2.1 Explain purpose of pre-exercise health screening questionnaire and risk stratification to client. 2.2 Provide and administer an industry standard pre-exercise health screening questionnaire to client. 2.3 Discuss client preferences and outcomes of pre-exercise health screening. 2.4 Refer client to medical practitioner or other appropriate professionals for further appraisal as required. |
3. Advise benefits of fitness activities and exercise prescription. | 3.1 Explain benefits of fitness activities and fitness programs. 3.2 Advise client regarding processes and suitability of relevant activities and programs, as required. 3.3 Document and update records of fitness orientation, pre-exercise screening and advice provided to client. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role. This must include a period(s) totalling at least three hours of fitness orientation and health screening work comprising at least five different client contact sessions and:
use a risk stratification process for each client contact session for clients with differing needs, goals and preferences
conduct calculations and measurements to adequately complete health screening procedures:
waist circumference
waist to hip ratio
body mass index
explain available programs, services and facilities to match each client’s needs, goals and preferences
prepare referral letters with supporting pre-exercise health screening documentation for at least two clients to a relevant medical or appropriate allied health professional when guidance and feedback is required regarding exercise participation
prepare referral letter for at least one client to a more highly qualified fitness professional, such as a personal trainer, when either the:
client requests personal training services
client’s needs, goals and preferences are suited to the scope of practice of a fitness professional more highly qualified than a fitness instructor
interact with all clients in a professional manner
use appropriate communication strategies and organisational channels to collect and handle sensitive information.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
legislation and regulatory requirements:
appropriate collection and storage of client information
application of legal and ethical limitations of own role
work health and safety/occupational health and safety
industry endorsed client pre-exercise health screening processes
industry endorsed risk stratification procedures, exercise implications and referral requirements
features and benefits of fitness facilities, exercise programs and services
essential information and protocols for completion of referrals:
client details
rationale for referral
guidance being sought
a copy of the pre-exercise health screening tool
role of medical or allied health professionals for referral processes
role of relevant personnel for referral processes:
personal trainer
advanced personal trainer
considerations to be aware of in the following specific population client presentations:
asthma
children and their developmental stages
continence issues
depression
high cholesterol
hypertension
knee injuries
lower back pain
menopause
metabolic disease or conditions, including diabetes mellitus
neck issues
obesity
older populations and conditions associated with ageing process
osteoarthritis
osteoporosis
overweight
pre and postnatal
rheumatoid arthritis.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in:
a fitness industry workplace or simulated environment with clients with real or simulated fitness needs and expectations, including new and existing clients.
Assessment must ensure use of:
industry standard pre-exercise health screening questionnaire
informed consent forms
client record forms
referral letter
clients; these can be:
clients in an industry workplace, or
individuals who participate in role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, in a simulated industry environment operated within a training organisation.
Assessment must ensure access to:
legislation and organisational policies and procedures in relation to health screening and fitness orientation.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors, and:
have achieved a Certificate IV in Fitness or above; and
have at least 1 year consecutive post qualification fitness industry experience in the application of the skills and knowledge of the Certificate IV in Fitness.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
SKILLS | DESCRIPTION |
Reading skills to: | interpret pre-exercise health screening questionnaire requirements and processes to determine client level of risk interpret pre-exercise health screening questionnaire and accompanying documentation regarding its use, implementation and risk stratification processes. |
Writing skills to: | prepare referral letters with appropriate information from client consultation and pre-exercise health screening questionnaire to general practitioners, personal trainers or advanced personal trainers. |
Oral communication skills to: | provide client with a justified explanation for referral and identify with the client the appropriate person, such as the client’s general practitioner, for the referral use active listening and open and closed probe questioning to interact with clients in a polite and friendly manner. |
Numeracy skills to: | conduct measurements and calculations, such as body mass index within industry standard pre-exercise health screening questionnaire provide clients with advice on appropriate exercise intensity guidelines and heart rate calculations based on pre-exercise health screening questionnaire results. |
Problem-solving skills to: | determine need for client referral to a general practitioner or a personal trainer or an advanced personal trainer. |
Sectors
Fitness
Competency Field
Fitness