Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan, instruct and evaluate exercise for male clients aged forty five and over, and female clients aged fifty five and over. It requires the ability to provide instruction of exercise programs aimed at improving health and fitness for older clients, with consideration of aspects of healthy ageing. It also covers promotion of incidental physical activity to clients to minimise the risk of developing sedentary lifestyle behaviours. It involves using industry endorsed risk stratification procedures when determining the provision of suitable advice 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 Consider and confirm client needs, expectations and preferences using suitable questioning techniques. 1.2 Review and advise client of outcomes of pre-exercise health screening procedures. 1.3 Refer client to medical or allied health professionals as required. 1.4 Select and use appropriate baseline functional capacity or fitness assessments, as required. 1.5 Identify common barriers to exercise participation by older clients. 1.6 Recognise and explain benefits of exercise for older populations and the role of exercise in reducing risks associated with ageing. 1.7 Receive guidance from medical or allied health professionals for exercise participation, as required. 1.8 Develop and document client profile for re-evaluation purposes. |
2. Develop program plans. | 2.1 Identify settings and program considerations that support safe and sustainable exercise participation for older clients. 2.2 Determine type of training, training methods and equipment required to achieve client goals. 2.3 Develop and document program plans that incorporate instructional information and guidance from medical or allied health professionals if required. 2.4 Explain benefits of exercise and anticipated structural and physiological adaptations as they relate to client goals and needs. 2.5 Develop customised training sessions that include a variety of exercises and equipment to meet client needs. 2.6 Discuss and confirm client understanding of potential signs and symptoms of intolerance contraindications to exercise and recommended precautions. |
3. Instruct exercise session. | 3.1 Allocate sufficient space, assemble resources and check equipment for safety and maintenance requirements. 3.2 Provide clear exercise instructions and confirm client understanding. 3.3 Demonstrate exercises, techniques and equipment to client. 3.4 Explain any precautions for exercise relevant to client age, ability and risk status. 3.5 Monitor participation and performance to identify signs of exercise intolerance and modify as required. 3.6 Monitor client intensity, techniques, posture and safety, and modify program as required. 3.7 Seek ongoing guidance from, or refer client to, medical or allied health professionals, as appropriate. 3.8 Select and use communication techniques that encourage and support clients. 3.9 Modify session as required considering basic mechanics, safety and fitness outcomes. 3.10 Respond to clients experiencing difficulties and answer questions as required. 3.11 Complete session documentation and progress notes. |
4. Evaluate program. | 4.1 Monitor and evaluate exercise program at appropriate intervals. 4.2 Provide written and verbal feedback to medical or allied health professionals, as required. 4.3 Request and respond to feedback from clients. 4.4 Review own performance and identify areas needing improvement. 4.5 Identify aspects needing further emphasis or attention in future sessions. 4.6 Evaluate program or activities and discuss modifications to program. 4.7 Document and update records of evaluation and modification of programs. |
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 period(s) totalling at least five hours comprising at least five different client contact sessions and:
use industry endorsed pre-exercise screening tools and risk stratification processes to identify the risk level of at least ten older clients
prepare referral letters to relevant medical or appropriate allied health professionals with supporting pre-exercise health screening documentation for at least two older clients
plan, document, implement and evaluate suitable exercise programs within scope of practice for older clients:
three clients that don’t require guidance or instruction provided by medical or allied health professionals
two clients in response to guidance or instruction provided by medical or allied health professionals
conduct sessions that incorporate:
appropriate selection and monitoring of a range of equipment appropriate for the client’s functional ability, according to industry guidelines
demonstration, explanation, and instruction of exercises
injury prevention strategies specific to client needs and to minimise the risk of falls
suitable order and sequence of activities
session components that target the needs and goals of the individual
suitable duration, intensity, volume
ongoing clear and constructive feedback to clients and, where required, medical or allied health professionals
use of evidence based exercise adherence strategies
minimise the risk of falls
variations and structure suitable to the needs of the older client
provision of hydration and rest opportunities as required
explanation of the role of exercise and incidental physical activity in prevention of chronic diseases and functional decline that may or may not be associated with ageing and reducing the risk of falls
modify programs for clients, addressing at least three of the following:
technical requirements
changing needs due to fitness adaptations
changing goals
client needs, objectives, likes and dislikes
technical difficulty adjustments of exercises
medical or allied health professional feedback
conduct periodic ongoing evaluation of outcomes from fitness programs in accordance with the established program goals and industry best practice.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
legislative and regulatory requirements regarding specific population exercise participation:
privacy
anti-discrimination
work health and safety/occupational health and safety
duty of care
organisational policies and procedures in regards to specific population exercise participation:
industry endorsed risk management protocols, exercise implications and referral requirements
overcrowding
ventilation and/or climate control
hygiene
emergency
standards of personal presentation
participant’s clothing and footwear
use, care and maintenance of equipment
precautions to exercise relevant to the older adults in accordance with industry guidelines where applicable
signs and symptoms of exercise intolerance and appropriate management strategies
situations where cessation of exercise program is required, this may include but is not limited to:
chest pain at rest or during activity
severe breathlessness/feeling faint/dizziness/loss of balance
unusual fatigue or shortness of breath
asthma aggravation/attack
significant muscle, bone or joint pain (beyond what is normally expected during exercise)
situation whereby the fitness professional makes a judgement that continuing the session is beyond their professional capabilities and scope of practice, and could potentially compromise client health and safety
role of medical or allied health professionals for referral processes:
accredited exercise physiologist
accredited practising dietician
chiropractor
continence nurse advisor
general practitioner
occupational therapist
osteopath
physiotherapist
podiatrist
psychologist
remedial massage therapist
sports doctor
typical anatomical and physiological considerations for older adults
common barrier to exercise participation:
perceived versus actual barriers
initial low fitness level
time and access to facilities
self-consciousness in client
methods to overcome barriers to exercise adherence:
goal setting
feedback
healthy habits
health-related components of fitness:
body composition
flexibility
muscle strength
muscle endurance
cardiovascular endurance
awareness of major types of injuries or conditions that may present in older clients that may require referral to a relevant medical or appropriate allied health professional:
sprains
musculoskeletal
cardiovascular
respiratory
other
importance of strength and balance training in falls prevention
exercise considerations in regards to the following components of ageing process, injuries and conditions:
physiological
biomechanical
psychological
behavioural change and social needs
lifestyle and cultural
general population characteristics
awareness of the following injury risks or considerations that may be related to older clients:
inadequate skill and physical preparation
overtraining
biomechanics and exercise technique
physical and mental preparation
poor core and postural awareness
fatigue and recovery
history of falls
incontinence
benefits of exercise related to older populations:
increased muscle mass
maintenance of bone health
joint health
minimising fat levels to prevent disease
improved ability to function in everyday tasks and reduced risk of functional decline that is often associated with ageing
prevention of chronic disease related to sedentary lifestyles and ageing
reduced risk of falls
concepts of healthy ageing
risks of leading a sedentary ageing lifestyle:
falls
low bone density
cardiovascular deficiency.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in:
a fitness industry workplace or simulated environment with clients with real or simulated health and fitness goals.
Assessment must ensure access to:
organisational policies and procedures related to older clients
manufacturer guidelines on equipment safety and usage.
Assessment must ensure use of:
a variety of equipment appropriate for use by older clients
industry endorsed risk stratification procedures
session plan templates with space to identify modifications/adjustments needed
older clients; these can be:
older 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 activities that allow the individual to:
develop a variety of exercise programs for older clients over a period of time, ensuring adequate time to allow for the implementation of required modifications
provide advice regarding fitness services and facilities for older clients
complete and update client records:
pre-exercise screening documents
program as prescribed
modifications
client consent
copies of any communications.
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 and evaluate pre-exercise screening and baseline assessment results. |
Oral communication skills to: | explain course of action, including referral and fitness services, as required. |
Numeracy skills to: | use heart rate calculations or other monitoring techniques during training, where relevant use body mass index calculations during pre-exercise screening, where relevant. |
Sectors
Fitness
Competency Field
Fitness