Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to incorporate a progressed understanding of anatomy and physiology to exercise programming within scope of practice.
This unit applies to advanced personal trainers who use knowledge of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiorespiratory and endocrine systems to support delivery of functional, effective and safe exercise programs.
This unit does not apply to the delivery of exercise programs for clients with unstable health conditions, pain or injury as identified through industry endorsed pre-exercise screening and risk stratification protocols.
This unit applies to advanced 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 anatomy and physiology. | 1.1 Source and access information on the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiorespiratory and endocrine systems. 1.2 Discuss/explain how understanding of functional anatomy contributes to safe/optimum exercise performance. 1.4 Use a wide range of terminology relevant to anatomy and physiology and fitness outcomes. |
2. Apply knowledge to own professional practice. | 2.1 Assess ways in which knowledge of anatomy and physiology may be used, adapted or challenged in instruction and provision of fitness advice. 2.2 Identify current and emerging knowledge of exercise principles relevant to professional development within scope of practice. 2.3 Use progressed knowledge of anatomy and physiology in day-to-day professional practice. 2.4 Modify approach to fitness programming activities and advice as required. |
3. Maintain and update knowledge of anatomy and physiology. | 3.1 Identify and use opportunities to update and expand own knowledge of anatomy and physiology. 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, and:
effectively use knowledge of the following body systems to improve own instructional practice to plan and instruct at least five functional training programs:
nervous system
musculoskeletal system
endocrine system
cardiorespiratory system
conduct sessions that individually or cumulatively incorporate:
types of training:
strength
speed
plyometric
balance
stability
coordination
evidence for the physiological responses of the major body systems
variations in exercise technique
fitness testing with clients performing high-intensity exercise to determine the physiological responses of the major body systems
analysis of client movement capacity to support safe exercise participation in high intensity programs.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
industry endorsed pre-exercise screening and risk stratification protocols
industry endorsed risk stratification procedures, exercise implications and referral requirements
methods of determining fitness levels of clients, and the appropriate exercise intensity and programming to achieve desired goals
screening of movement capacity to determine complexity and loading of exercises
characteristics of high intensity exercise:
mechanical stress
overload
fatigue/failure
high intensity aerobic, anaerobic and strength training methods
single bout versus longer term exposure
characteristics of functional training
considerations and responses to high intensity exercise and mechanical stress:
musculoskeletal:
structure and mechanics of bone, muscle and connective tissue
biomechanical properties of bone
acute and chronic musculoskeletal responses to aerobic, anaerobic and strength training
responses of bone and muscle tissue to weight bearing activities
bone remodelling
muscle tissue damage and repair
ligament and tendon strength
neuromuscular:
main features of nerves and nervous system related to exercise
nervous system classification and structure
afferent and efferent nervous system signals
voluntary and involuntary nature of nervous system
structure of a motor neuron
conduction of a motor impulse
types of muscle contraction and relationship between muscle force and external location
size principles of muscle and nervous system activation
muscle fibre types and relative involvement in different types of exercise and training programs
acute and chronic neuromuscular responses to aerobic, anaerobic and strength training
central
adaptations of motor units, including size principles and selective recruitment
muscle growth
muscle fibre type changes
structural and architectural changes to muscles
connective tissue adaptations
change in cross sectional area
nerve-muscle connections
timing of contractions
resistance to fatigue
capillary density
mitochondrial density
motor learning
physiological:
acute and chronic physiological adaptations to aerobic, anaerobic and strength training
heart rate response
blood volume
blood pressure
stroke volume
cardiac output
oxygen capacity
body system response
regulations of blood flow during exercise
shifts in distribution of blood to various areas of the body during exercise
energy metabolism/depletion
the transfer of metabolites between blood and muscles
substrates used by each energy system and patterns of substrate depletion and repletion with various activities
ammonia and lactate metabolism
mitochondrial adaptations to fuel utilisation (including transport and metabolism)
glucose control
recovery
thermoregulation/dehydration/hyperthermia
sodium
fatigue
homeostasis
endocrine system:
role of receptors in mediating hormonal changes
acute and chronic hormonal responses to resistance training and cardiovascular training
growth hormone
insulin
adrenal hormones
acute responses and chronic adaptations of the endocrine system to anaerobic training
endocrine system adaptations to fatigue
cardiovascular system:
structure and function of the respiratory system
exchange of air
inspiration and expiration at rest and during exercise
exchange of respiratory gases
structure and function of the cardiovascular system
anatomical components
circulation pathways
role of blood
oxygen demands of exercise and activities of daily living
relationships between exercise intensity and circulatory and ventilator responses
adaptations to short term and long term training
role in strength and conditioning programs
acute and chronic adaptations of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to aerobic, anaerobic and strength training
acute responses and chronic adaptations of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to anaerobic training
structural anatomy:
names and locations of bones
major bones and major landmarks of the skeleton
bone markings
names, locations and types of joints
anatomical structure of joints
function of major joint complexes:
shoulder girdle
elbow
wrist
vertebral column
pelvic girdle
knee
ankle
major muscles and connective tissues acting on joints during exercise
structure and function of local and global skeletal muscles
macrostructure of skeletal muscle
functional anatomy:
regulation of muscle function
factors influencing muscle contraction
muscle spindles
golgi tendon organs
cross bridge cycle and its phases neurological activation of muscles
motor unit recruitment
reciprocal inhibition, including agonist and antagonist relationship
role of reflex arcs in balance, coordination and proprioception
motor learning
motor unit recruitment patterns during exercise
preloading
proprioceptors and proprioception training
neural innervation of muscles for movement and proprioception
motor unit innervation
phases of the stretch shortening cycle
movement considerations in resistance training:
neural control
muscle cross-sectional area
arrangement and type of muscle fibres
muscle length
joint angle
muscle contraction velocity
joint angular velocity
strength to mass ratio
length-tension relationship
mechanics advantage of joint position
force-velocity relationships
body size
various types of levers and pulley systems and applications to training
factors contributing to human strength and power
resistive forces and power patterns of exercise devices
methods of minimise injury risk during resistance training
impact of pain, injury or disease on neuromuscular function:
CNS and PNS adaptations to tissue injury relating to pain
reflex modulation of posture
perception of posture and movement
muscle tone
nerve-muscle connectivity
the pain continuum - acute vs chronic
different types of pain - neuropathic, nociceptive, idiopathic
the healing process - inflammation, scarring, tissue remodelling
neuromuscular responses to chronic conditions, including
diabetes
arthritis
fibromyalgia
chronic fatigue
disc degeneration
triggers for referral or guidance from an appropriate medical or allied health professional:
pain upon presentation to initial session/induction
history of uncontrolled or unresolved pain
pain during movement or exercise
static postural deviations and 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 professional advice that the problem could be made worse with physical activity/exercise
identified by industry endorsed pre-exercise screening and risk stratification processes
accepted exercise technique standards
impact of ageing and inactivity on musculoskeletal tissue, physiology and neuromuscular function relevant to exercise capacity and activities of daily living:
musculoskeletal tissue
physiology
neuromuscular function
body systems
aerobic and strength related effects
exercise capacity
activities of daily living
VO2
mitochondrial changes
blood pressure response
sarcopenia
reduction in muscle force/power
metabolic rate
glucose regulation
thermoregulation
bone density
nerve-muscle connections
hormone regulation
physiological demands on body systems and exercise performance from:
smoking
excess alcohol consumption
stress
lack of sleep
dietary choices and eating patterns
sedentary lifestyle.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in:
a fitness industry workplace or simulated environment that offers a variety of fitness services and facilities for clients.
Assessment must ensure access to:
information and resources relating to anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiorespiratory and endocrine systems to support delivery of functional, effective and safe exercise programs
anatomical models or images.
Assessment must ensure use of:
planning and evaluation templates with space to identify improvements to professional practice
fitness industry standard equipment and methods suitable for monitoring intensity of client sessions
clients for the purposes of explanation and demonstration in instruction; these can be:
clients in the workplace, or
individuals who participate in project activities, role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, within a training organisation.
Assessment activities that allow the individual to:
demonstrate ability to incorporate body system knowledge 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 2 years 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 |
Reading skills to: | source and comprehend often complex anatomical and physiological information such as anatomical charts and labels on anatomical models. |
Oral communication skills to: | provide clients with anatomy and physiology information related to exercise in a manner which they can understand and implement to their exercise sessions. |
Learning skills to: | monitor sources of information to expand knowledge base on anatomy and physiology relevant to own practice. |
Problem-solving skills to: | accommodate the changing anatomical and physiological responses of the body to exercise programming and instruction make connections between own practice and conclusions drawn from information about principles of anatomy and physiology. |
Sectors
Fitness
Competency Field
Fitness