Design a physical activity programme for individuals with health and medical conditions
Overview
This standard is about the design and management of physical activity programmes to address the needs of individuals with low-risk health and medical conditions. This is likely to follow on from the initial consultation and information gathering.
Exercise referral professionals will be expected to design a physical activity programme that meets the individual’s needs, objectives and agreed goals. They will also plan specific evaluation and review dates to ensure the effectiveness of the physical activity programme.
They will normally be working without direct supervision but could be under the direction of health professionals.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- design physical activity programmes based on the agreed schedule, individual needs, conditions, goals and principles of training
- encourage individuals to give their own input into agreed schedule
- select suitable environments that align with individuals’ preference and ability to perform exercises safely
- agree the demands and content of the physical activity programme with the individuals
- agree appropriate evaluation methods and review dates with the individuals
- identify the resources and technologies needed to support the effectiveness of the physical activity programme
- provide alternatives that can be incorporated into everyday lifestyles if individuals cannot take part in programmed physical activities
- record your plans in an accessible format that will help you, the individuals and others implement and review the programme
- support individuals in a way which will promote independent exercisers and sustain change in physical activity behaviour
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
- the principles of anatomy and physiology including skeletal, cardiorespiratory, myofascial, nervous, endocrine, energy, digestive, urinary and lymphatic system.
- how to apply anatomy and physiology when planning physical activity programmes for individuals with specified health and medical conditions
- the components of health and skill related fitness and how to apply these into a physical activity programme for individuals with specified health and medical conditions
- a range of health and medical conditions and their associated risk factors
- how health and medical conditions are medically managed and the impact these have on a quality of life
- the limitations health and medical conditions can have on the development of physical activity programmes
- how to manage co/multi-morbidities and the considerations when designing physical activity programmes
- the scope and professional boundaries of your practice
- the relationship between exercise, physical activity and specified health and medical conditions
- the components of fitness and principles of training and how they must be applied to help individuals achieve their goals
- how to select suitable environments and how they can be adapted to meet the individuals needs, ability level and overall goals
- the importance of involving the individual and others in the planning stage
- the significance of establishing regular review dates and evaluation methods with the individuals
- the adaptations and or alternatives that can be made If the individual cannot take part in the session and or activity as planned
- the referral and signposting opportunities to health, physical activity and other community assets and initiatives to encourage independent exercising and sustained activity levels
- recording procedures that will help you and individuals implement the programme
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
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.
Links To Other NOS
This standard links to SKAER1, SKAER3, SKAEAF1