Deliver exercise and physical activity programmes for clients with medical conditions

URN: SKAEAF19
Business Sectors (Suites): Exercise and fitness
Developed by: SkillsActive
Approved on: 30 Mar 2021

Overview

​This standard is about the delivery of exercise and physical activity programmes to address the needs of clients with various medical conditions. This is likely to follow on from the initial consultation, information gathering and programme design. 

Exercise and fitness professional will be expected to deliver safe and effective exercise and physical activity programmes that meet the needs of clients with various medical conditions.

They will normally be working without direct supervision but maybe under the direction of a physiotherapist, Medical Officer or GP.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

1. prepare the environment and self, ready to deliver the exercise and physical activity programme

  1. identify and select safe and correct equipment and resources for the exercise and physical activity session

  2. meet the clients at the agreed times

  3. manage risk to clients throughout the exercise and physical activity programme

  4. collect any new information from the clients about their response to previous exercise, physical activities and/or general well-being

6. explain to the clients how the planned session links to their goals

7. explain the physical and technical demands of the planned exercise and or physical activities

8. manage risk to clients throughout the programme

9. make sure there is a balance of instruction, activity and discussion within the planned session

  1. support client's engagement to promote sustained change in physical activity levels

  2. use behaviour change techniques to adapt delivery of the exercise and physical activity session

  3. instruct the client to perform exercises with correct techniques

  4. communicate with clients in a manner and style appropriate to their preference and needs

  5. provide appropriate motivational strategies to the clients during the session

  6. observe and analyse the client's performance and identify valid strategies to improve clients techniques

  7. provide positive reinforcement of correct exercise performance to build self-confidence

  8. monitor the exercise environment to ensure client's safety and comfort

  9. negotiate, agree and record with clients any changes to the planned exercise and or physical activities

  10. allow sufficient time for the closing phase of the session

  11. provide clients with feedback about their performance

  12. explain to clients how their progress links to their short, medium and long term goals

  13. provide clients the opportunity to ask questions about the session

  14. discuss other possible activities and behaviour changes with clients that could assist them achieving their goals

  15. refer clients on to other fitness or healthcare professionals when their needs are outside your level of competency

  16. leave the environment in a condition suitable for future use, in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures


Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere

  1. the principles of anatomy and physiology including skeletal, cardiovascular, myofascial, nervous, endocrine, energy and digestive system.

  2. how to apply anatomy and physiology when delivering exercise and physical activity programmes for clients with specified medical conditions

  3. the components of health and skill related fitness and how to apply these into an exercise and physical activity programmes for clients with specified medical conditions

  4. the scope and professional boundaries of your practice

6. the relationship between exercise, physical activity and specified medical conditions

  1. ways of identifying and preparing safe environments and self for the exercise and physical activity session

  2. ways of organising the environment to enable safe exercise performance

9. why you should meet the clients punctually and make them feel welcome

10. ways of managing risk to clients throughout the exercise and physical activity programme

11. why you should collect any new information relating to the clients response to previous sessions and/or general well-being

12. the physical and technical demands of the planned activities

13. how to assess, monitor and manage risk to clients throughout the programme

  1. how to ensure there is an effective balance of instruction, activity and discussion within the session

  2. methods of promoting sustained change in physical activity levels

  3. behaviour change techniques 

  4. teaching methods for providing instructions and explanations

  5. the correct positions for the exercises

19. how to adapt your communication methods to the meet clients needs

  1. how to apply suitable motivational strategies during the session

  2. how to analyse and improve clients' performance and movement pattern

22. ways of providing positive reinforcement throughout the session

23.  the need to negotiate, agree and record with the clients any changes to the planned activities

  1. why you should allow sufficient time for the closing phase of the session

  2. when and how to provide clients with positive feedback on their performance

  3. why clients need to see how their progress links to their overall goals

  4. why clients should be given the opportunity to ask questions about their performance and overall progress

28. suitable alternative activities that could assist clients in achieving their goals

  1. why and how to leave the environment in a suitable condition for future use in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures

Scope/range


Scope Performance

Behaviour change techniques

  1. self-efficacy

  2. reasoned action approach

3. stages of change model

  1. health action process approach

Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS

​This standard links to SKAEAF17, SKAEAF18 and SKAEAF20


External Links


Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

31 Mar 2024

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

SkillsActive

Original URN

SKAEF24

Relevant Occupations

Coach / Instructor, Sport, Leisure and Recreation, Sports and Fitness Occupations

SOC Code

3433

Keywords

deliver; exercise; physical activity; personal training; programmes; medical conditions