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.
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.
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.