Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:02 AM AWST
22/07/2026 9:02 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Develop and apply an awareness of specific populations to exercise delivery
Develop and apply an awareness of specific populations to exercise delivery
Unit of competency
National Code
SISFFIT303A
SISFFIT303A
State Code
D6219
D6219
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/02/2014
Field of Education
092103 - Sports Coaching, Officiating And Instruction
Original Release Date
14/02/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the skills and knowledge to provide appropriate advice to specific population clients on participation in fitness appraisals and fitness activities. It covers the pathology of the more common disease states and conditions encountered within the fitness industry and the limiting effects of the condition on exercise performance and functional capacity.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify specific population clients.
- 1.1. Recognise possible medical conditions, possible injuries and possible use of prescribed medications that should exclude an individual from undertaking a fitness appraisal or participating in exercise without a medical clearance and discuss with client.
- 1.2. Apply a recognised risk stratification process to the client's information to determine the risk status of the client and the level of risk associated with participation in exercise.
- 1.3. Recommend clients who need to make an appointment with a medical or allied health professional as required and implement actions resulting from evaluation of risk status.
- 1.4. Identify specific populations common to the fitness industry requiring modification to exercise or exercise programs.
2. Provide advice to specific population clients regarding exercise testing and participation.
- 2.1. Explain to the client, the legal and ethical limitations of a fitness instructor in prescribing and delivering exercise to identified specific populations, and the need for a suitably qualified exercise, medical or allied health professional to design an exercise program is acknowledged.
- 2.2. Apply an understanding of the specific requirements of individuals with specific disease states or conditions when providing information about exercise testing or exercise participation.
- 2.3. Apply an understanding of the pathology of the identified disease state, condition or injury to exercise.
- 2.4. Investigate the effects of medications commonly used to manage the disease or condition through consultation or research.
- 2.5. Promote the benefits of exercise for specific populations and discuss the anticipated structural and physiological improvements with clients.
- 2.6. Recommend suitable fitness activities and exercises and identify unsuitable or contraindicated activities and exercises.
- 2.7. Provide advice regarding exercise programs currently available in the fitness industry for specific population clients or groups.
3. Deliver exercise programs for specific populations under the guidance of medical or allied health professionals.
- 3.1. Apply exercise considerations and exercise prescription guidelines relevant to the identified specific populations to the delivery of fitness activities undertaken by specific population clients who are under the supervision of an appropriate medical or allied health professional.
- 3.2. Advise clients that exhibit signs of poor exercise tolerance to any fitness activity to stop the exercise immediately and make an appointment to see a medical or allied health professional.
- 3.3. Identify modifications to exercise or exercise programs, fitness programs and facilities in consultation with a medical or allied health professional.
4. Identify a network of medical and allied health professionals.
- 4.1. Refer fitness clients to medical or allied health professionals when contraindications to exercise are identified in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.2. Use appropriate documentation and terminology to communicate information to medical or allied health professionals when referring fitness clients.
- 4.3. Maintain client confidentiality at all times.
- 4.4. Identify and access suitable reference points to develop awareness of specific populations.
- 4.5. Identify medical or allied health professional suitable for referral of the client.
- 4.6. Determine the most appropriate medical or allied health professional for referral according to the specific condition or needs of the client.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Actions resulting from evaluation of risk status may include:
referral to a medical or allied health professional for further medical evaluation and clearance
referral for clinical test
medical or allied health professional present for sub-maximal testing
suitably qualified fitness professional conducts sub-maximal testing
Medical orallied health professionals may include:
sports physician
sports doctor
general practitioner
physiotherapist
accredited exercise physiologist
occupational therapist
remedial massage therapist
chiropractor
osteopath
accredited practising dietician
psychologist
continence nurse advisor
Benefits of exercise for specific populations may include:
improved functional capacity
improved quality of life
independence
decreased mortality
decreased morbidity
decrease in medication dosage
relief of symptoms.
Clients may include:
experienced or inexperienced
adult or children
pre-natal
post-natal
menopausal
specific populations with medical or allied health clearance
medical conditions or injury under the supervision of an appropriate medical or allied health professional
healthy active older clients.
Contraindications to exercise may include:
absolute
relative
risk of participation outweighs any perceived benefits.
Exercise programs may include:
resistance training
circuit training
gym training
endurance training
aerobic fitness
group exercise fitness session
aqua fitness session
spinning
gentle exercise
aqua therapy
stretching session.
Level of risk may include:
low risk
moderate risk
high risk.
Common medical conditions may include:
hypertension
high cholesterol
continence issues
asthma
metabolic disease or conditions
diabetes
obesity
pregnancy (pre and post natal)
musculoskeletal conditions
rheumatoid arthritis
osteoarthritis
osteoporosis
lower back pain
neck issues
knee injuries
depression
menopause.
Medications may include:
lipid lowering agents
bronchodilators
anti hypertensive agents
insulin
oral hypoglycaemic
anti inflammatory
analgesic
anti-depressants
non-prescribed
multiple medicine interactions.
Pathology may include
the pathophysiology of the condition
variations of the pathophysiology of the disease and or condition
the physical or physiological effects of the disease and or condition
the psychological effects of the disease and or condition
method of how a sufferer should be managed if complications arise during a fitness activity
effect of the condition on exercise behaviour.
Signs of poor exercise tolerance may include:
shortness of breath
pallor
dizziness or light-headedness
swelling of ankles
nausea or vomiting
fatigue
leg cramps
claudication
redness
unusual heart rate response
loss of coordination.
Actions resulting from evaluation of risk status may include:
referral to a medical or allied health professional for further medical evaluation and clearance
referral for clinical test
medical or allied health professional present for sub-maximal testing
suitably qualified fitness professional conducts sub-maximal testing
Medical orallied health professionals may include:
sports physician
sports doctor
general practitioner
physiotherapist
accredited exercise physiologist
occupational therapist
remedial massage therapist
chiropractor
osteopath
accredited practising dietician
psychologist
continence nurse advisor
Benefits of exercise for specific populations may include:
improved functional capacity
improved quality of life
independence
decreased mortality
decreased morbidity
decrease in medication dosage
relief of symptoms.
Clients may include:
experienced or inexperienced
adult or children
pre-natal
post-natal
menopausal
specific populations with medical or allied health clearance
medical conditions or injury under the supervision of an appropriate medical or allied health professional
healthy active older clients.
Contraindications to exercise may include:
absolute
relative
risk of participation outweighs any perceived benefits.
Exercise programs may include:
resistance training
circuit training
gym training
endurance training
aerobic fitness
group exercise fitness session
aqua fitness session
spinning
gentle exercise
aqua therapy
stretching session.
Level of risk may include:
low risk
moderate risk
high risk.
Common medical conditions may include:
hypertension
high cholesterol
continence issues
asthma
metabolic disease or conditions
diabetes
obesity
pregnancy (pre and post natal)
musculoskeletal conditions
rheumatoid arthritis
osteoarthritis
osteoporosis
lower back pain
neck issues
knee injuries
depression
menopause.
Medications may include:
lipid lowering agents
bronchodilators
anti hypertensive agents
insulin
oral hypoglycaemic
anti inflammatory
analgesic
anti-depressants
non-prescribed
multiple medicine interactions.
Pathology may include
the pathophysiology of the condition
variations of the pathophysiology of the disease and or condition
the physical or physiological effects of the disease and or condition
the psychological effects of the disease and or condition
method of how a sufferer should be managed if complications arise during a fitness activity
effect of the condition on exercise behaviour.
Signs of poor exercise tolerance may include:
shortness of breath
pallor
dizziness or light-headedness
swelling of ankles
nausea or vomiting
fatigue
leg cramps
claudication
redness
unusual heart rate response
loss of coordination.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
confirm sufficient knowledge of exercise modifications for specific populations.
identify specific population clients
apply knowledge of the pathology of the disease, condition or injury to exercise delivery
provide suitable advice to specific population clients about exercise participation
deliver exercise delivery for specific population clients after referral and under the supervision of health professionals.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
demonstration of skills within a facility where a variety of exercise modes and equipment are available, such as a weights gym, pool, exercise to music room and an outdoor environment
access to a range of clients with a range of real or simulated fitness needs and expectations.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of consulting with clients to determine their preferences and needs and designing and instructing an appropriate fitness program
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of exercise program principles and their use in developing client specific exercise programs
third-party reports from colleagues or supervisors detailing work performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISFFIT304A Instruct and monitor fitness programs
SISFFIT307A Undertake client health assessment
SISFFIT308A Plan and deliver gym programs
SISFFIT309A Plan and deliver group exercise sessions
SISFFIT310A Plan and deliver water based fitness activities
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
confirm sufficient knowledge of exercise modifications for specific populations.
identify specific population clients
apply knowledge of the pathology of the disease, condition or injury to exercise delivery
provide suitable advice to specific population clients about exercise participation
deliver exercise delivery for specific population clients after referral and under the supervision of health professionals.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
demonstration of skills within a facility where a variety of exercise modes and equipment are available, such as a weights gym, pool, exercise to music room and an outdoor environment
access to a range of clients with a range of real or simulated fitness needs and expectations.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of consulting with clients to determine their preferences and needs and designing and instructing an appropriate fitness program
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of exercise program principles and their use in developing client specific exercise programs
third-party reports from colleagues or supervisors detailing work performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISFFIT304A Instruct and monitor fitness programs
SISFFIT307A Undertake client health assessment
SISFFIT308A Plan and deliver gym programs
SISFFIT309A Plan and deliver group exercise sessions
SISFFIT310A Plan and deliver water based fitness activities
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C7932 | SRFSPP002A | Develop and apply an awareness of specific populations to exercise delivery | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVD60 | SISFFIT002 | Recognise and apply exercise considerations for specific populations | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J760 | SIS30313 | Certificate III in Fitness | Qualification |
| D431 | SIS30310 | Certificate III in Fitness | Qualification |