SISFFIT050 - Support exercise behaviour change

Unit code: SISFFIT050 | 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 establish current patterns of client exercise and support clients to make changes to optimise fitness outcomes, health and wellbeing. Support for behaviour change reflects evidence-based approaches and can be integrated into fitness assessment, program planning, instruction and evaluation.This unit applies to personal trainers who work independently with clients using discretion and judgement to develop and deliver individually tailored client exercise programs, and to provide support to individual clients. 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:

source evidence-based information on exercise behaviour change from credible sources
evaluate key aspects of the above information, and identify how it can be used to provide client-centred behaviour change advice
support the exercise behaviour change process for three clients as part of the design of their personalised exercise * programs, and for each of the three clients:

collect information about:
client motivation for exercise behaviour change
client stage of readiness for change
barriers to client exercise participation and adherence

assist client to plan for exercise behaviour change according to their individual needs:

support client to identify ways they can overcome barriers to exercise participation
provide information about behaviour change techniques
assist client to nominate behaviour change actions
support client to set exercise activity goals

consistently use client-centred communication during all interactions
maintain client records that include details of information exchanged, client exercise goals, change techniques used and client progress
for one of the above three clients:

monitor client progress towards exercise behaviour change and achievement of exercise activity goals over a four week period via ongoing communications
use client-appropriate techniques to enhance client adherence to agreed exercise activities
complete a follow up assessment of client and discuss progress, achievements and changing needs.

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:

procedures for maintaining client records and confidentiality of client information
scope of practice for a personal trainer in supporting exercise behaviour change:

responsibilities and limitations
professional boundaries

situations where referral to a health professional is required for support with exercise behaviour change and role of relevant health professionals:

psychologists
general practitioners

sources of evidence-based information about contemporary and emerging exercise behaviour change techniques
how to determine the credibility of information sources
client-centred communication techniques for establishing and building trust and rapport, and how they vary depending on individual client characteristics
methods of collecting information about client’s current exercise knowledge, patterns, attitudes, motivation and commitment to change
factors that may affect exercise behaviour and the process of change:

family, cultural and social determinants
established lifestyle behaviours
experience of previous attempts at exercise behaviour change

common barriers to exercise initiation and adherence, and how these may be overcome:

low importance placed on exercise
time and access to appropriate facilities
initial low fitness levels and low confidence
previous negative experiences
body image concerns

stages in the behaviour change process and how these apply in a fitness industry context:

pre-contemplation
contemplation
preparation
action
maintenance
relapse

the role of relapse, when it may occur and how it can be managed
evidence-based techniques for promoting exercise behaviour change at different stages of fitness planning and implementation:

assessment and programming:
contracting
goal setting
client choice and self-direction

implementation:

exercise selection and variety
client self-monitoring activities
using natural supports and social networks

monitoring:

prompts and reinforcement
feedback and rewards
ongoing assessment and progress measurement

ways that techniques may be used and adapted for clients at different levels and stages of engagement with exercise activities
approaches to goal setting and achievement:

setting short-, medium- and long-term goals
importance of goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time based

different types of goals:

outcome
process
performance

common client strategies that can be used to achieve exercise behaviour change goals
recording goals and progress, and types of technology that can assist
the role of arousal control and basic features of the following strategies in exercise behaviour change:

progressive relaxation
visualisation
positive self-talk

methods and techniques used to:

engage with clients about progress
reflect on client feedback and own performance.

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.