SISFFIT035 - Plan group exercise sessions

Unit code: SISFFIT035 | Study level: TAFE

Credit points

N/A

Location

Footscray Park

Werribee

Prerequisites

N/A

Overview

This unit describes the performance outcomes, knowledge and skills required to plan group exercise sessions designed for participation by mixed ability groups, or by groups that predominately comprise a particular profile, for example, older people. It requires the ability to account for the participation of individuals from specific population groups and of diverse abilities and allow for modifications that can be made during instruction.
It covers skills for evaluating and improving sessions in response to participant and instructor feedback, noting that sessions might be delivered by self or others. Skills for instructing group exercise sessions are covered in a complementary unit.
Exercise sessions are diverse in nature. They could combine or specifically concentrate on cardiovascular, resistance and flexibility exercises, and be delivered with or without music.
This unit applies to group fitness instructors and personal trainers who use discretion and judgment when planning sessions to meet diverse participant needs. Instructors practise in settings such as fitness facilities, gyms, leisure and community centres, client workplaces and other locations, depending on their role.

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 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:

develop and document session plans for six group exercise sessions, each with a minimum duration of 45 minutes, and include:
at least one session for each of the following participant groups:

female adults
male adults
participants aged 55 years or over

across the above six sessions collectively incorporate the following:

cardiovascular exercises
resistance exercises
flexibility exercises
exercises with and without equipment

for two sessions and according to actual feedback or case studies:

review feedback provided by group participants
evaluate instructor feedback
modify future session content, and document details of the evaluation and changes.

Students will also be expected to demonstrate the following knowledge:
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

common reasons and goals for people participating in group exercise sessions
different types of group exercise classes typically offered by the following and how these relate to general consumer market preferences, expectations and goals:

fitness gyms
leisure and community centres
personal trainers

general factors that affect session design:

venue type and layout
availability of different types of exercise equipment
session duration preferences of different group markets

factors that affect session design for particular client groups and mixed groups:
physical differences that need to be considered for:

adults of different sexes
older people
antenatal, postnatal, menopausal and post-menopausal women
cultural needs and expectations
differing fitness levels, and whether coming from sedentary or active base

for a range of common injuries, medical conditions, and health risk factors:

contraindications and precautions for different types of exercise sessions and exercises
how exercises, intensity and loads can be modified to allow safe participation by individuals with low risk injuries and health conditions

the meaning of the following components of fitness and how exercises can target improvements for each:
health-related components:

cardiovascular endurance
muscle strength
muscle endurance
flexibility
body composition

skill-related components:

coordination
balance
reaction time
proprioception
different types of exercises and equipment that can be used:

cardiovascular exercises:

continuous
interval

resistance exercises using:

free weights
gym equipment including weight machines
body weight

flexibility exercises:

dynamic
static

how different types of exercises can be combined and sequenced for safety and optimum effectiveness in group exercise sessions
how the FITT (frequency, intensity, time and type) principle is used to structure group exercise sessions
established phases of exercise sessions, their underpinning rationale and timing for each within designated time of session:

warm up
main workout
cool down and stretches

components of exercise sessions, and how they can be used effectively for goals targeted by group sessions:

exercise order
volume and intensity of exercises
repetitions and sets
repetition tempo
rest intervals

training techniques that can be used in group exercise sessions, how they can be used, and considerations for their use:

supersets
interval training including high intensity interval training (HIIT)
circuit training

considerations for choreographing and cueing sequences of movements and exercises for group exercise sessions
considerations for the use of music in instruction of group exercise sessions:

licensing requirements
tempo of music suited to different phases of exercise sessions and types of movements and exercises
how different styles of music impact on participant motivation

format and inclusions of documented group exercise session plans
methods that can be used to evaluate effectiveness of group exercise sessions:

participant and instructor evaluation questionnaires and reports
discussions with instructors delivering sessions
self-evaluation
evaluation of complaints, problems and difficulties.

Required reading

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