Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to incorporate an understanding of exercise science principles into fitness instruction, programming and provision of fitness advice.
This unit applies to the use of physiological and mechanical principles in training to improve the health- and skill-related components of fitness of clients who have recently completed industry endorsed pre-exercise screening and risk stratification procedures.
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 exercise science principles. | 1.1 Source and access information on exercise science principles relevant to fitness outcomes. 1.2 Discuss/explain how understanding of exercise science principles contribute to safe/optimum technique and skill development. 1.3 Use a wide range of terminology relevant to exercise science principles and fitness outcomes. |
2. Apply knowledge to own professional practice. | 2.1 Assess ways in which knowledge of exercise science principles may be used, adapted or challenged in instruction and provision of fitness advice. 2.2 Identify current and emerging knowledge of exercise science principles relevant to development of own professional practice. 2.3 Use knowledge of exercise science principles in day-to-day professional practice. 2.4 Modify approach to fitness programming activities and advice as required. |
3. Maintain and update knowledge of exercise science principles. | 3.1 Identify and use opportunities to update and expand own knowledge of exercise science principles. 3.2 Monitor response to changes made to own professional practice or instruction. 3.3 Continue to adjust own practice to optimise results. |
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 in a mixture of controlled and uncontrolled environments, and:
effectively use knowledge of exercise science principles to improve own instructional practice to plan and instruct at least five different client sessions
conduct sessions that individually or cumulatively incorporate:
a variety of exercises which are targeted at health- and skill-related components of fitness, for achieving improvements and adaptations in:
muscle contractility and force
bone strength
nervous system activation
submaximal and resting heart rates
cardiovascular system adaptations
variations of exercise
with and without equipment
exercises to change:
joint action
stabilisation of the body
forces which act on the body during exercise
variations in the contribution of energy from three different energy systems
consideration of:
musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology
mechanical principles
physiology concepts.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
organisational policies and procedures in relation to:
work health and safety/occupational health and safety
confidentiality of client information
ethical considerations
industry endorsed client pre-exercise health screening processes
industry endorsed risk stratification procedures, exercise implications and referral requirements
the physiology related to achieving improvements in the following health-related components of fitness:
body composition
flexibility
muscle strength
muscle endurance
cardiorespiratory endurance
the physiology related to achieving improvements in the following skill-related components of fitness:
balance
agility
power
speed
reaction time
coordination
proprioception
musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology related to achieving improvements in fitness:
structure and function of the skeleton
joints in the skeleton
cellular structure of muscle fibres
sliding filament theory
effects of different types of exercises on muscle fibre types
muscle attachment sites for the major muscles of the body
structure, range of motion and function of muscles, muscle groups and directional terms
location and function of skeletal muscle involved in physical activity
anatomical axis and planes with regard to joint actions and different exercises
joint actions brought about by specific muscle group contractions
joints/joint structure with regard to range of motion/movement and injury risk
joint movement potential and joint actions
the specific roles of the nervous system in controlling skeletal muscle:
the central nervous system
the peripheral nervous system including somatic and autonomic nervous systems
nervous control and transmission of a nervous impulse
structure and function of a neuron
role of a motor unit
function of muscle proprioceptors and the stretch reflect
reciprocal inhibition and its relevance to exercise
the neuromuscular adaptations associated with exercise training
the benefits of improved neuromuscular coordination/efficiency to exercise performance
concepts and principles of mechanics relevant to fitness:
forces which act on the body during exercise
common biomechanical terms
lever system in the body
structure and function of the stabilising ligaments and muscles of the spine
the local muscle changes that can take place due to insufficient stabilisation
the potential effects of poor posture on movement efficiency
the potential problems that can occur as a result of postural deviations
the benefits, risks and applications of the following types of stretching: static (passive and active) and dynamic
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)
different exercises that can improve posture
concepts and principles of the physiology of the body in relation to fitness:
the function of heart valves
coronary circulation
short and long term effects of exercise on blood pressure
the effects of exercise on bones and joints including the significance of weight bearing exercise
delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
exercises or techniques likely to cause delayed onset muscle soreness
the short and long term effects of different types of exercise on muscle
the benefits and limitations of different methods of monitoring exercise intensity including: talk test, rate of perceived exertion
heart rate monitoring and the use of different hear t rate zones
physiological responses to physical activity in various environmental conditions
the expected physiological responses, and appropriate action, to:
a single bout of exercise
physical activity in various environmental conditions
long term exercise programs
scope of practice for a personal trainer.
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:
current industry endorsed best practice for client pre-exercise health screening and risk stratification
organisational policies and procedures relevant to incorporating exercise science principles into fitness programming.
Assessment must ensure use of:
informed consent forms
client record forms
planning and evaluation documentation with inclusion of identified improvements to professional practice
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:
demonstrate ability to incorporate exercise science principles into the instruction of sessions catering for:
beginners, intermediate and advanced participants
low and high impact.
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: | provide clients with information related to exercise in a manner which they can understand and implement to their exercise sessions. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate forces and implement basic biomechanical concepts and mathematical equations interpret how equipment and body position can be changed to alter the forces applied to the body. |
Learning skills to: | ensure application of up-to-date exercise science principles. |
Problem-solving skills to: | accommodate the changing anatomical and physiological responses of the body to exercise programming and instruction determine how equipment and body position can be changed to alter the forces applied to the body. |
Planning and organising skills to: | develop exercise programs that incorporate complex understanding of the anatomical and physiological adaptations that occur from different types of exercise. |
Sectors
Fitness
Competency Field
Fitness