Collaborate with individuals with health and medical conditions to determine and plan their physical activity needs and goals

This standard outlines the competence needed to engage and support individuals with low-risk health and medical conditions. It involves the initial stage of meeting an individual to build an effective relationship while collecting relevant information to inform an appropriate action plan and programme design.
 
They will normally be working without direct supervision but could be under the direction of health professionals.

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1. meet with the individual at an appropriate time and place
2. explain yours and the individuals' role, responsibilities and expectations in the process
3. show sensitivity and empathy to individuals’ and the information they provide
4. effectively communicate with the individual that encourages them to engage openly and honestly
5. obtain informed consent for the collection of information and physical activity prescription
6. conduct appropriate screening and safety protocols to establish individuals’ level of risk
7. source scientific data and information to inform individuals' needs and goals
8. liaise with other professionals regarding the information received
9. discuss with individuals the benefits of physical activity for their conditions
10. liaise with individuals to agree a suitable action plans and goals appropriate to their needs and conditions
11. ensure the action plans and goals are suitable and adhere to the individual’s level of risk and industry good practice
12. work in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols

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1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
2. the principles of anatomy and physiology including skeletal, cardiorespiratory, myofascial, nervous, endocrine, energy, digestive, urinary and lymphatic system.
3. how to apply anatomy and physiology when planning physical activity programmes for individuals with specified health and medical conditions
4. the components of health and skill related fitness and how to apply these for individuals with specified health and medical conditions
5. a range of health and medical conditions and their associated risk factors
6. how health and medical conditions are medically managed and the impact these have on a quality of life
7. the limitations health and medical conditions can have on the development of physical activity programmes
8. the scope and professional boundaries of your practice
9. the relationship between physical activity and specified health and medical conditions
10. the importance of establishing roles, responsibilities and expectations at the start to ensure the best outcome
11. the ethical considerations involved in ongoing maintenance of physical activity behaviour including respecting inter-professional boundaries and individual confidentiality
12. how your communication skills can influence the quality of information received, the individual’s commitment and motivation
13. how to gain informed consent from the individual and why this is important
14. risk stratification processes and how to use this to complete appropriate screening and safety protocols to show whether the individual is at low, medium or high risk of an adverse event occurring during physical activity
15. your scope of practice and suitable methods of signposting and/or referral to other professionals for those who are deemed higher risk.
16. how to collect and analyse information using recognised methods and a person-centred approach
17. credible sources of scientific data and information that can be used to research health and medical conditions and medications
18. how to interact with others involved in the process
19. how to plan and agree action plans and SMART goals adhering to the level of risk and current level of ability
20. how to record goals in an appropriate format

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High risk health and medical conditions
High-risk health conditions are severe or chronic medical issues such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes with complications and respiratory disorders like COPD that significantly increase the risk of serious complications, hospitalisation, or mortality. These conditions require comprehensive screening, specialised assessment and continuous monitoring. The presence of multi-morbidities where a patient has two or more chronic conditions can further increase complexity in clinical decision-making. It may make exercise programming more challenging and push the patient into a higher risk category
 
Low risk health and medical conditions
Health concerns that present minimal likelihood of serious adverse events, exacerbation, or complications during physical activity or standard interventions. These conditions are typically stable and well-controlled through standard treatment protocols.
 
Professional Boundaries
The ethical and interpersonal limits that define appropriate interactions between professionals and their clients. These boundaries help maintain respect, integrity, and objectivity in professional relationships.

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This standard links to SKAER2, SKAER3, SKAEAF20

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1

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2030

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Current

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Original

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Skills Active

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0

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Sports and Fitness Occupations, Advanced Personal Trainer

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3443

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Physical activity, exercise, exercise referral, health and medical conditions

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