Elements and Performance Criteria
- Explain and apply current recommendations regarding the type and amount of physical activity to promote health, reduce risk factors and prevent chronic disease and disability among adults.
- Identify major causes of disease and disability among adults, and explain to the client the role of physical activity in health and disease prevention.
- Identify and explain to the client the mechanisms by which exercise may lower risk of chronic lifestyle disease or disability.
- Identify major cardiovascular disease risk factors and the recommended clinical values for each, and explain to the client to what extent each is affected by exercise.
- Identify and apply current recommendations regarding physical activity for disease prevention in adults.
- Identify and explain to the client the appropriate exercise variables recommended to achieve a beneficial change in risk factors and disease prevention.
- Explain to the client the different roles of cardiovascular conditioning and muscular conditioning in enhancing general health and for preventing specific diseases or conditions.
- Reinforce the need to undertake additional lifestyle modifications to improve health.
- Plan and develop a physical activity intervention to improve and promote the health status of a population group, sub-group or individual.
- Access relevant sources of information to determine health problems of target group and the established causes of the health problem.
- Locate and critically evaluate effectiveness of other health promotion interventions to develop an evidence based approach that would cause beneficial change in health status of the target group.
- Obtain information about the level of physical activity currently undertaken by participants using an appropriate method of measuring physical activity and determine whether current physical activity level is sufficient to gain health benefits.
- Collect information about current health problems or concerns, lifestyle and other factors affecting participation in physical activity.
- Design a multifaceted approach to health promotion activities including education and skill building.
- Demonstrate recognition of and support for the importance of access and equity in the provision of physical activity interventions.
- Ensure intervention addresses identified client barriers to participation.
- Implement physical activity intervention in an appropriate setting.
- Conduct appropriate health and fitness assessments to establish baseline measures and monitor client progress.
- Fully explain intervention strategies to participants.
- Provide additional support materials and assist client to access additional sources of relevant information to improve health status.
- Implement motivational strategies to encourage behaviour change and exercise adherence based on behaviour change models and determinants of exercise adherence.
- Monitor client's physiological responses during activity sessions and make appropriate adjustments to exercise variables as required to ensure client safety.
- Maintain records of relevant documentation in accordance with relevant legislation, and organisational policy and procedure.
- Deliver education and training activities to promote good health and support physical activity strategies.
- Conduct health promotion and education activities relating to aspects of physical activity, diet and lifestyle that directly effect the reduction of risk factors and prevention of chronic disease.
- Ensure health promotion and education activities support clients to take a self-care approach to health in line with individual needs.
- Recognise clients that may need further assistance from medical or allied health professionals and organise referral.
- Re-administer questionnaires relating to exercise behaviour and health status to determine changes in behaviour.
- Evaluate effectiveness of intervention.