Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assess client movement and exercise capacity and develop an appropriate exercise program. It requires the use of functional movement knowledge in day-to-day professional practice to encourage healthy posture, effective movement patterns and safe exercise technique for clients.
This unit applies to personal trainers who offer exercise programs to improve functional movement for general populations, including older adults and young people. These clients are those with no unstable health conditions, pain or injury as identified through industry endorsed pre-exercise screening and risk stratification protocols.
This unit does not apply to the provision of postural assessment, advice or treatment for an injury, disease or condition. The personal trainer is expected to refer clients requiring guidance, advice or treatment to an appropriate allied health professional.
This unit applies to personal trainers who typically work autonomously in controlled and uncontrolled fitness environments. 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. Consolidate understanding of functional movement. | 1.1 Source and access information on functional movement relevant to fitness outcomes in line with accepted movement and exercise technique standards. 1.2 Use knowledge of functional movement in day-to-day professional practice. 1.3 Discuss/explain how understanding of functional movement contributes to safe/optimum technique and skill development. 1.4 Use a wide range of functional movement terminology relevant to injury prevention and fitness outcomes. |
2. Inform clients of importance of functional movement. | 2.1 Review pre-exercise health screening, risk stratification, and health assessment procedures as required. 2.2 Discuss client health-related goals and acquire additional client information as required. 2.3 Refer client to a medical or allied health professional as required. 2.4 Discuss importance of identifying postural variances and explain relationship between posture and injury prevention to clients. 2.5 Provide information about common causes of poor posture and movement capacity to client. 2.6 Inform clients of legal and ethical limitations of a personal trainer. |
3. Recognise and analyse client functional movement. | 3.1 Provide clear and accurate instruction and demonstration during relevant movements and exercises. 3.2 Explain the importance of functional movement and correct technique and dynamic posture during exercise. 3.3 Observe functional movement, range of movement and exercise capacity to identify any joint mobility or movement restrictions. 3.4 Observe strength and muscle activation outputs to identify any muscle activation concerns and/or strength limitation or imbalance. 3.5 Observe and record any client balance, stability or coordination limitations. 3.6 Monitor participation and performance to identify ineffective movement patterns and exercise technique. 3.7 Determine need for further evaluation and seek guidance from an appropriate allied health professional as required. 3.8 Document observations and discuss with client. |
4. Consider static posture. | 4.1 Apply understanding of postural mechanisms and symptoms of poor posture to client observation and consultation. 4.2 Observe client static posture and identify issues that may be relevant in a dynamic setting. 4.3 Identify and document joints, muscles and connective tissues that would benefit from functional exercise strategies. 4.4 Seek guidance from an appropriate allied health professional as required. |
5. Implement functional exercise strategies. | 5.1 Develop strategies to promote functional movement, exercise performance and reduce likelihood of injury. 5.2 Advise client of exercises or activities that are contraindicated or may further exacerbate any postural variance. 5.3 Modify client exercise technique and dynamic posture as required. 5.4 Seek guidance from an appropriate allied health professional as required. |
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 eight hours comprising at least five different client contact sessions, and:
observe and analyse functional movement capacity for at least five clients in line with accepted movement and technique standards incorporating the following for each client:
at least three functional movements
movement and exercise observation in the following movement patterns and scenarios:
push
pull
squat
lunge
rotate
overhead press
overhead pull
with and without equipment
loaded and unloaded
identification of joint mobility or movement restrictions against typical range of movement for major joint complexes, with consideration of:
joint movement
muscle action
passive range
active range
functional range
joint and muscle interactions
stability of major joint complexes, relevant to the client’s needs, level of risk and experience
balance and coordination, relevant to the client’s needs, level of risk and experience
a variety of functional movement measurement tools to support dynamic posture analysis:
flexometer
goniometer
plumb line
grid
plurimeter
pressure biofeedback unit
photographic technology
video analysis
tape measure
identify each client’s capacity to activate and achieve good muscle function in all of the following muscle groups, using at least three muscle activation exercises per client:
core abdominals
glutes
hamstrings
hip flexors
rotator cuff
chest
back
modify incorrect client exercise technique and poor dynamic posture of at least three clients
explain and document functional movement observations and encourage a healthy posture for all clients:
identified posture, movement, strength and neuromuscular deviations, limitations and imbalances
significance of results for exercise programming, technique and prevention of injury
precautions to exercise relevant to functional movement observations and client risk status, in accordance with industry guidelines or guidance from medical or allied health professionals where applicable
recommend appropriate exercise strategies to clients to promote functional movement and reduce the likelihood of injury, in accordance with functional movement observations and client risk status, including the following strategies:
flexibility
functional strength training
proprioception development
education to develop correct exercise techniques or daily living postures.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
legislative obligations and organisational policies and procedures in relation to:
duty of care
work health and safety/occupational health and safety
confidentiality of client information
professional ethics
appropriate collection and storage of client information
the relationship between injury, injury prevention and the following postural variances:
structural and functional variances
kyphosis
rounded shoulders
winging of scapula
increased or decreased lordosis
excessive posterior or anterior pelvic tilt
scoliosis
genu varum or genu valgum
increased pronation of foot or ankle complex
increased supination of foot or ankle complex
hyperextension of knees
lateral tilt of pelvis or head
forward head posture
rotated patella
ideal postural alignment:
normal spinal curves
straight line running though:
ear lobe
anterior shoulder joint
vertebral bodies of L1-5
posterior hip joint
anterior knee joint
anterior ankle joint
transverse abdominus
pelvic floor muscles
relationship of poor posture and risk of injury and muscular deficits:
diminished muscle strength or endurance
increased muscle tension/tone
limited flexibility
limited function
postural influences affecting dysfunctional movement patterns and exercise technique
typical range of movement for major joint complexes
deviations in posture or functional limitations at commencement, during, at completion of exercise or movement:
asymmetrical muscle tone
spinal curvature – lordosis, kyphosis, scoliosis
scapula setting:
winging of scapula
anterior tipping/tilting
upward/downward rotation
pelvis position:
anterior/posterior
rotation
knee alignment:
varus/valgus
foot alignment:
internal/external rotation
pronation/supination
forward head
sitting/standing/supine
locomotive gait – walking, jogging, running
role of muscles in contractions:
agonist/prime mover
antagonist
fixator
assistor/synergist
causes of poor posture:
congenial abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system
poor muscle strength
poor muscle endurance
muscle imbalance
lack of mobility
damage to bony structures
damage to connective tissue including ligaments and cartilage
muscle activation, correct execution, and teaching points for primal functional movement patterns:
push
pull
squat
lunge
rotate
overhead press
overhead pull
role of muscle activation in functional movement and exercise performance:
muscle sensory reception
reciprocal inhibition
normal range of movement for major joint complexes
characteristics of balance and balance exercise:
base of support
centre of gravity
limits of stability
components of balance maintenance
variation of stance
variation of surfaces or equipment
balance disturbance
progression of balance exercises
characteristics of coordination and agility:
fine motor skills
gross motor skills
hand-eye skills
progression of coordination or agility exercises
changes to centre of gravity caused by:
pregnancy
overweight
inappropriate footwear
behaviours
work practices
sport or leisure activities
industry endorsed scope of practice for a personal trainer
industry endorsed pre-exercise screening and risk stratification protocols
role of medical or allied health professionals for referral or guidance
reasons for referral to an appropriate medical or allied health professional:
pain upon presentation to initial session/induction
history of uncontrolled/unresolved pain
abnormal/inconsistent pain patterns which may point towards a pathology
pain during movement or exercise
static postural deviations
an inability to correct static or dynamic posture
restricted joint range of movement, strength imbalance or balance, stability or coordination concern that is limiting function
a diagnosed muscle, bone or joint problem with medical or allied health advice that the problem could be made worse by participating in physical activity/exercise
identified through industry endorsed pre-exercise screening and risk stratification.
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:
legislation and organisational policies and procedures in relation to functional movement observation and improvement
industry endorsed risk stratification procedures.
Assessment must ensure use of:
a variety of appropriate equipment to demonstrate and observe functional movement patterns, dynamic posture, joint range of movement, muscle activation and strength, balance, stability and coordination:
flexometer
goniometer
plumb line
grid
plurimeter
tape measure
client record forms
documented plans with inclusion of identified modifications/adjustments needed
photographic technology
video analysis
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 activities that allow the individual to:
observe multiple clients functional movement, identify issues and provide functional exercise strategies within the scope of practice.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors; and
have achieved a Diploma of 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 Diploma of 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 |
Oral communication skills to: | use active listening and open and closed probe questioning to: elicit information from clients about their needs and expectations consult with clients about functional movement activities clarify screening information provided by clients. |
Learning skills to: | reflect on results and redesign new approaches to exercise as relevant for client. |
Problem-solving skills to: | interpret and critically analyse client functional movement determine referral requirements after reviewing pre-exercise health screening information and as a result of functional movement observations. |
Teamwork skills to: | collaborate with various professionals and client in order to establish and follow through with the most appropriate functional exercise strategies for the client, if required. |
Sectors
Fitness
Competency Field
Fitness