Plan water-based exercise sessions

​This standard is about planning water-based exercise for apparently healthy adults.

The main outcomes of this standard are:

1. collect and analyse information
2. plan safe and effective water-based exercise

This standard is for instructors who plan water-based exercise sessions.

​Collect and analyse information

1. meet with the participants at an appropriate time and place
2. use appropriate methods to build rapport while gathering information from the participants in accordance with legal and organisational procedures
3. carry out pre-health screening using appropriate methods
4. analyse the information and identify the implications for water-based exercise
5. refer or signpost any participants whose needs and potential you cannot meet to other professionals
6. maintain confidentiality, following legal and organisational procedures

Plan safe and effective water-based exercise

7. identify objectives that meet the needs and potential of participants
8. plan and agree with participants a programme of water-based exercise that will help them achieve their objectives
9. seek advice from other professionals for issues outside your area of competence
10. plan a structure of water-based exercise that ensures safe, effective and realistic timings and formats
11. Identify appropriate environments for the water-based exercise sessions objectives
12. plan adaptations, modifications and progressions to accommodate participants needs
13. identify hazards and assess the risk of theses hazards actually causing harm
14. plan how you will minimise these risks
15. record your plans in accordance with your legal and organisational procedures

1. ​the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
3. the principles of anatomy and physiology including skeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, energy and digestive system
4. how to apply anatomy and physiology when planning safe and effective water based exercise session for a range of participants
5. the components of health related fitness and how to apply these into a programme of exercise to suit your participants' needs
6. the health benefits of physical activity and risks of inactivity
7. the general healthy eating advice that can be given to participants based on credible sources
8. the importance of meeting the participants at the correct time and place to provide a professional setting
9. how to identify appropriate methods for gathering information from participants
10. the methods of collecting information required to support the planning of water-based exercise
11. the factors which affect the ability to exercise
12. information analysis techniques
13. when and how to refer or signpost any participants whose needs and potential you cannot meet to other professionals
14. objectives setting techniques
15. the factors involved in session planning
16. ways of identifying any hazards and assessing the health and environmental factors which could influence safety
17. how to plan a safe and effective water-based session
18. how to select the speed and type of music for the participants and phase of the session
19. the effect of pacing and speed of exercises in an aquatic environment
20. the legal requirements covering the use of music
21. how to incorporate adaptations and progressions to meet participants needs
22. when and how to access advice from other professionals when dealing with issues that are outside of your competency
23. how to record plans in accordance with legal and organisational procedures

​Information

1. personal goal
2. lifestyle
3. medical history
4. physical activity history
5. physical activity preferences
6. attitude and motivation to participate
7. current fitness level
8. stage of readiness
9. barriers to exercise

Environment

1. space
2. layout
3. ventilation
4. lighting
5. use of music
6. equipment for the session
7. personal clothing and equipment
8. shallow water
9. deep water

​Methods

1. questionnaire
2. verbal screening
3. observation

​This standard links to SKAEAF2, SKAEAF9 and SKAEAF20