ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Consult with clients presenting with neurological impairment.

1.1. Receive exercise referral from a relevant medical or allied health professional.

1.2. Confirm exercise referral has sufficient detail to allow flexibility for modifications to accommodate progression of the client.

1.3. Become familiar with typical adverse signs and symptoms that may arise during exercise for clients with neurological impairment or disability.

1.4. Consult with an appropriate medical or allied health professional as necessary.

1.5. Discuss with the client their complete exercise history and their neurological impairment and record relevant information according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.6. Explain to the client the different roles of cardiovascular and muscular conditioning, and the reasons for their inclusion in the exercise prescription.

1.7. Confirm the outcomes of a goals and needs analysis in collaboration with the client and the medical or allied health professional if appropriate.

1.8. Explain to the client their need to be referred back to a medical or allied health professional if their condition becomes unstable.

1.9. Identify any potential barriers to exercise and discuss methods to enhance exercise adherence with the client.

1.10. Clarify any areas of concern with the referring accredited exercise physiologist or relevant medical or allied health professional, in conjunction with the client.

1.11. Obtain the informed consent of the client and maintain the client's records according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2. Consult with clients presenting with disabilities.

2.1. Receive exercise referral from medical and allied health professional if applicable or undertake pre-exercise screening with client.

2.2. Interpret referral and pre-exercise screening and seek clarification from medical or allied health professional.

2.3. Discuss with the client their complete exercise history and condition and record relevant information according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2.4. Explain to the client the role and benefits of physical activity in managing disabilities and enhancing health.

3. Deliver prescribed exercise programs.

3.1. Undertake appropriate fitness assessment as required.

3.2. Work with medical or allied health professional to deliver an exercise plan in accordance with recognised exercise recommendations, fitness test results, client limitations, and potential interactions of medications.

3.3. Explain to the client the different roles of cardiorespiratory and muscular conditioning, and the reasons for their inclusion as part of the client's exercise prescription.

3.4. Explain to the client the exercise variables to be implemented in the context of managing their specific cardiorespiratory conditions.

3.5. Apply instructional techniques to ensure safe and appropriate application of the exercise program by the client.

3.6. Demonstrate the safe and appropriate use of selected exercise equipment and report or address any unsafe equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

4. Monitor and review clients responses to the prescribed exercise program.

4.1. Monitor perceived exercise intensity and make adjustment as required.

4.2. Assess the client's performance and explain and correct any unsafe exercise procedures.

4.3. Monitor client responses for any typical signs and symptoms requiring intervention that may occur during exercise.

4.4. Apply procedures to respond to signs and symptoms requiring intervention as required according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

4.5. Recognise signs of an unstable condition and refer the client back to an appropriate medical or allied health professional.

4.6. Monitor progress and report outcomes to the client.

4.7. Revise the client's record and advise the referral source of suggested changes to the exercise program if required.

5. Provide advice regarding additional lifestyle modifications to enhance the management of the disability or neurological impairment.

5.1. Obtain information about the client's current lifestyle.

5.2. Discuss possible barriers to behaviour change and implementation of healthy eating practices.

5.3. Provide information about the fundamental features of balanced nutrition and recommend modifications to dietary intake to improve general health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

5.4. Recommend other lifestyles changes to improve current disease status.