Collaborate with individuals with high-risk health and medical conditions to determine and plan their physical activity needs and goals.

This standard outlines the necessary competence for working with individuals who have high-risk health and medical conditions. It typically involves the initial stage of meeting an individual, establishing an effective relationship, and gathering and interpreting information to develop an appropriate action plan.
 
Exercise referral specialists will be expected to utilise their knowledge of high-risk health and medical conditions to collect meaningful information, to establish an effective relationship to improve their physical and psychosocial outcomes.

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1. define yours and the individuals' role, responsibilities and expectations in the physical activity process
2. obtain informed consent for the collection of information and physical activity prescription
3. show sensitivity and empathy to individuals’ and the information they provide
4. communicate with the participants at a pace, in a manner and at a level appropriate to their understanding, preference and needs
5. using a person-centred approach conduct appropriate screening and safety protocols to establish individuals’ level of risk
6. collect and interpret meaningful information from the individual and others to determine the most appropriate physical activity pathway
7. determine individuals’ readiness to change their physical activity behaviours and establish suitable support strategies
8. evaluate scientific data and information to create the physical activity pathway suitable for high-risk health and medical conditions
9. review the information gathered and inform the individual and others of the appropriate physical activity pathway
10. discuss with individuals the benefits of physical activity for their conditions
11. identify and facilitate individuals' ability to apply risk preventative strategies
12. encourage and empower individuals to take responsibility for developing and maintaining their own self-awareness, independence and outcomes
13. 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. anatomy, physiology and kinesiology including skeletal, cardiorespiratory, myofascial, nervous, endocrine, energy, digestive, urinary and lymphatic system and how these respond to high-risk health and medical conditions (including co-morbidities and multi-morbidities).
3. how to implement anatomy, physiology and kinesiology knowledge when creating physical activity programmes for individuals with high-risk health and medical conditions (including co-morbidities and multi-morbidities).
4. the components of health and skill related fitness and how to adapt these for individuals with high-risk health and medical conditions (including co-morbidities and multi-morbidities).
5. the pathophysiology and aetiology of high-risk health and medical conditions
6. how high-risk health and medical conditions are medically managed and the impact these have on a quality of life
7. the limitations high-risk health and medical conditions can have for the individual
8. the scope and professional boundaries of your practice
9. the relationship between physical activity and high-risk health and medical conditions
10. how to gather relevant information to plan safe, effective physical activity programmes for individuals with high-risk health and medical conditions
11. the importance of establishing roles, responsibilities and expectations at the start to ensure the best outcome
12. how to establish open and proactive intelligence sharing
13. why and how to take a person-centred approach with individuals with high-risk health and medical conditions
14. the ethical considerations involved in ongoing maintenance of physical activity behaviour including respecting inter-professional boundaries and individual confidentiality
15. the different communication approaches and skills, and how they can influence the quality of information received, the individual’s commitment and motivation
16. how to gain informed consent from the individual and why this is important
17. risk stratification processes and how to use this to complete appropriate screening and safety protocols
18. your scope of practice and suitable methods of signposting and/or referral to other professionals
19. how to collect and analyse information using recognised methods and a person-centred approach
20. credible sources of scientific data and information that can be used to research high-risk health and medical conditions and medications
21. the range of mentoring models, tools and techniques available and how to select and apply these
22. behaviour change theories and models
23. how to assess an individual’s readiness to participate and the application of strategies to support and motivate
24. the benefits of physical activity for individuals with high-risk health and medical conditions
25. how to plan and agree action plans and SMART goals adhering to the level of risk, barriers and current level of ability
26. how to record goals in an appropriate format and share with others

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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 SKAER5, SKAER6, 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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