SISFFIT034 - Assess client movement and provide exercise advice

Unit code: SISFFIT034 | Study level: TAFE

Credit points

N/A

Location

Footscray Park

Werribee

Prerequisites

N/A

Overview

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assess movement capacity in individual clients and provide advice on exercises to achieve optimal movement and safe and effective exercise technique. While this assessment may be completed as a separate dedicated activity, outcomes and recommended exercises may then be integrated into overall fitness programs for individual clients.
Assessment and advice are provided to clients who do not have unstable health conditions, pain or injury identified through pre-exercise screening and fitness assessment. The unit does not include assessment for the purposes of providing advice or treatment of injury or disease. In this case the fitness instructor refers clients to relevant medical or allied health professionals.This unit applies to personal trainers who work independently with clients using discretion and judgement to provide individually tailored client movement assessments. They practise in settings such as fitness facilities, gyms, leisure and community centres, client workplaces, and homes and outdoor locations.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment tasks will be designed to reinforce & extend knowledge and skill competence within set & controlled parameters in accordance with each unit’s learning outcomes & performance criteria requirements, including the setting of work based practical application tasks designed to provide evidence of competence outcomes, within periodic and scheduled timelines.

Students will be expected to demonstrate the following required skills:
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

assess the posture and movement capacity of three different clients including:

a female adult
a male adult
a client aged 55 years or over

for each of the above three clients:

make observations about static posture using appropriate tools
assess dynamic posture, balance, movement quality and limitations

use the following movement patterns during assessment:

squat
lunge
hinge
horizontal push
horizontal pull
vertical push
vertical pull
rotation

explain assessment outcomes and accurately record results in client records
recommend and demonstrate three exercises to address identified issues
have client complete the three exercises and observe and modify technique as required to correct technique
consistently use client-centred communication during all interactions.

Students will also be expected to demonstrate the knowledge required to complete the following tasks and performance criteria:

client-centred communication techniques for establishing and building trust and rapport, and how they may vary depending on individual client characteristics
scope of practice for a personal trainer in assessing movement and posture, and recommending exercises:

boundaries and responsibilities
relationship between fitness instructors and medical and allied health professionals in supporting optimum client movement

situations where referral to medical and allied health professional is required:

pain during movement and exercise
static postural deviations outside normal ranges
client inability to correct dynamic posture
restricted joint mobility, strength imbalance, and stability concern that is limiting function

basic aspects of current and emerging evidence-based research about movement and postural alignment and the impacts on movement and exercise prescription
static posture:

types of measuring tools and observations used for basic assessments
recommended alignment and ranges based on individual structural differences

influences affecting dysfunctional movement patterns and exercise technique:

abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system including the spine
damage to bones and connective tissue including ligaments and cartilage
asymmetrical muscle tone
poor muscle endurance
poor muscle strength
locomotive gait including walking, jogging and running

deviations in postural alignment outside of normal ranges and functional limitations that can occur at commencement, during, and on completion of exercise and movement:

spinal curvature including lordosis and kyphosis

scapula setting:

winging of scapula
anterior tipping and tilting
upward and downward rotation

hip and pelvis position:

anterior and posterior
internal and external rotation
knee alignment, varus and valgus

foot alignment:

rotation
pronation and supination

relationship between the following postural variances and potential for injury, and injury prevention techniques when they are present:

excessive posterior and anterior pelvic tilt
genu varum and genu valgum
hyperextension of knees
increased pronation of foot and ankle complex
increased supination of foot and ankle complex
spinal curvature including lordosis and kyphosis
lateral tilt of pelvis and head
rotated patella
rounded shoulders
winging of scapula

effective dynamic posture and correct execution for major foundational movement patterns:

squat
lunge
hinge
horizontal push
horizontal pull
vertical push
vertical pull
rotation

normal range of movement for major joints and types of flexibility exercises that support improved range of movement
characteristics of balance and types of exercises that support improved balance:

base of support

centre of gravity and factors that can cause changes to a person’s centre of gravity:

age
pregnancy
being overweight

limits of stability
components of balance maintenance
balance disturbance and key causes.

Required reading

The qualified trainer and assessor will provide teaching and learning materials as required in the form of workbooks produced by the VU Polytechnic and/or via the VU Polytechnic e-learning system.