Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:56 AM AWST
22/07/2026 8:56 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.
Undertake appraisals of functional movement
Undertake appraisals of functional movement
Unit of competency
National Code
SISFFIT418A
SISFFIT418A
State Code
D6234
D6234
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
28/09/2011
Field of Education
092103 - Sports Coaching, Officiating And Instruction
Original Release Date
28/09/2011
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to undertake general postural appraisals to evaluate a client's posture, functional range of movement and muscle strength and weakness in preparation for the development of an appropriate exercise program.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare clients for postural appraisal.
- 1.1. Undertake exercise screening of clients using recognised screening tool according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.2. Explain the aims of postural appraisal and the procedure for the appraisal to clients.
- 1.3. Discuss the importance of identifying postural variances and explain the relationship between posture and injury prevention to clients.
- 1.4. Inform clients of the legal and ethical limitations of the role of a exercise trainer according to legislation and regulatory requirements.
- 1.5. Select relevant postural screening tool and screening tests appropriate to the client.
- 1.6. Organise and prepare appraisal equipment as required.
2. Assess client's range of movement.
- 2.1. Conduct movement tests to evaluate the client's joint mobility according to industry standards.
- 2.2. Administer tests using appropriate equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.3. Identify restrictions in range of movement and recommend client seeks external assistance if abnormal range of movement is observed.
- 2.4. Record assessment results using a standardised method and explain results to the client.
3. Analyse client's static posture.
- 3.1. Conduct a static postural appraisal of the client using an appropriate posture analysis tool according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 3.2. Compare the client's posture to the ideal postural alignment in order to identify common postural variances.
- 3.3. Analyse the symmetrical development of muscles to identify any muscular deficits.
- 3.4. Identify and record joints, muscles and connective tissues that may require strengthening and or stretching.
- 3.5. Record assessment results and explain the results to clients according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 3.6. Recommend clients with postural variances or concerns seek external assistance according to organisational policies and procedures.
4. Observe client's dynamic posture.
- 4.1. Observe the client's dynamic posture while performing simple fitness exercises according to legislation and regulatory requirements and organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.2. Analyse client movements to determine joint movement, muscle action and the role of muscle contraction.
- 4.3. Correct poor technique likely to cause postural variances and explain the potential for injury to clients.
- 4.4. Record information and provide feedback to clients according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.5. Recommend clients with dynamic postural variances or concerns seek external assistance according to organisational policies and procedures.
5. Provide information to clients relating to posture.
- 5.1. Provide information about the common causes of poor posture to clients.
- 5.2. Provide strategies to address poor posture and reduce the likelihood of injury.
- 5.3. Discuss the role of appropriate exercise technique, when correcting inappropriate posture.
- 5.4. Advise clients of exercises or activities that are contraindicated or may further exacerbate any postural variance.
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.
Exercise screening may include:
questionnaire
interview
visual observation.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
privacy
confidentiality
legal and ethical limitations of role
fitness industry standards
test protocols
use, care and maintenance of equipment
forms for appraisal
recording appraisal information
External assistance may include:
exercise physiologist
physiotherapist
occupational therapist
accredited practising dietician
osteopath
chiropractor
diabetes educator
podiatrist
massage therapist
sports physician
medical practitioner
continence nurse advisor.
Postural appraisal may include:
static or dynamic
views
positions
supine posture.
Aims of postural appraisal include:
identify abnormality
determine degree and origin of deviation
determine effect on proposed or current exercise plan and goals
identify contraindications and postural risk factors associated with exercise
prevent injury.
Postural variances may include:
structural
functional
kyphosis
rounded shoulders
winging of scapula
scoliosis
increased or decreased lordosis
excessive posterior or anterior pelvic tilt
genu varum or genu valgum
increased pronation of foot or ankle complex
increased supination of foot or ankle complex
hyperextension of knees
lateral tilt of pelvis or head
forward head posture
rotated patella
Legislation and regulatory requirements may include:
Occupational Health and Safety
duty of care
privacy
anti-discrimination
copyright
licensing
child protection
trade practices
consumer protection
environmental
business registration and licences
Appraisal equipment may include:
flexometer
goniometer
plumb line
grid
plurimeter.
Joints may include:
intervertebral segments
glenohumeral
elbow
lumbo-sacral
hip
patello-femoral
knee
ankle.
Joint mobility may include:
flexion
extension
dorsiflexion
plantar flexion
horizontal flexion and extension
abduction
adduction
circumduction
rotation
supination
pronation
inversion
eversion
protraction
retraction
elevation
depression.
Range of movement may include:
functional range
active and passive range
joint and muscle specific
joint and muscle specific tests.
Static postural appraisal may include:
anterior
posterior
lateral.
Ideal postural alignment may include:
normal spinal curves
straight line running through:
ear lobe
anterior shoulder joint
vertebral bodies of L 1 - 5
posterior hip joint
anterior knee joint
anterior ankle joint
transverses abdominus
pelvic floor muscles.
Muscles may include:
erector spinae
rectus abdominis
internal and external obliques
multifidus
latissimus dorsi
quadratus lumborum
iliopsoas
rhomboid major and minor
pectoralis major
serratus anterior
levator scapulae
teres major and minor
supraspinatus
infraspinatus
gluteus maximus, medius and minimus
iliotibial tract
tensor fascia latae
piriformis
rectus femoris
vastus lateralis, medialis and intermedius
sartorius
biceps femoris
semitendinosus
semimembranosus
gastrocnemius
soleus
tibialis anterior
adductor magnus and longus
gracilis
sartorius.
Muscular deficits may include:
diminished muscle strength and or endurance
limited flexibility
diminished muscle endurance.
Fitness exercises may include:
muscle strength
muscle endurance
symmetrical development and range
co-ordination of movement.
Role of muscle contraction may include:
agonist
antagonist
fixator
assistor.
Causes of poor posture may include:
congenital abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system
poor muscle strength
poor muscle endurance
muscle imbalance
lack of mobility
damage to bony structures
damage to connective tissue including ligaments, cartilage
changes to line of gravity caused by pregnancy, inappropriate footwear, behaviours, work practices, sport or leisure activities.
Exercise screening may include:
questionnaire
interview
visual observation.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
privacy
confidentiality
legal and ethical limitations of role
fitness industry standards
test protocols
use, care and maintenance of equipment
forms for appraisal
recording appraisal information
External assistance may include:
exercise physiologist
physiotherapist
occupational therapist
accredited practising dietician
osteopath
chiropractor
diabetes educator
podiatrist
massage therapist
sports physician
medical practitioner
continence nurse advisor.
Postural appraisal may include:
static or dynamic
views
positions
supine posture.
Aims of postural appraisal include:
identify abnormality
determine degree and origin of deviation
determine effect on proposed or current exercise plan and goals
identify contraindications and postural risk factors associated with exercise
prevent injury.
Postural variances may include:
structural
functional
kyphosis
rounded shoulders
winging of scapula
scoliosis
increased or decreased lordosis
excessive posterior or anterior pelvic tilt
genu varum or genu valgum
increased pronation of foot or ankle complex
increased supination of foot or ankle complex
hyperextension of knees
lateral tilt of pelvis or head
forward head posture
rotated patella
Legislation and regulatory requirements may include:
Occupational Health and Safety
duty of care
privacy
anti-discrimination
copyright
licensing
child protection
trade practices
consumer protection
environmental
business registration and licences
Appraisal equipment may include:
flexometer
goniometer
plumb line
grid
plurimeter.
Joints may include:
intervertebral segments
glenohumeral
elbow
lumbo-sacral
hip
patello-femoral
knee
ankle.
Joint mobility may include:
flexion
extension
dorsiflexion
plantar flexion
horizontal flexion and extension
abduction
adduction
circumduction
rotation
supination
pronation
inversion
eversion
protraction
retraction
elevation
depression.
Range of movement may include:
functional range
active and passive range
joint and muscle specific
joint and muscle specific tests.
Static postural appraisal may include:
anterior
posterior
lateral.
Ideal postural alignment may include:
normal spinal curves
straight line running through:
ear lobe
anterior shoulder joint
vertebral bodies of L 1 - 5
posterior hip joint
anterior knee joint
anterior ankle joint
transverses abdominus
pelvic floor muscles.
Muscles may include:
erector spinae
rectus abdominis
internal and external obliques
multifidus
latissimus dorsi
quadratus lumborum
iliopsoas
rhomboid major and minor
pectoralis major
serratus anterior
levator scapulae
teres major and minor
supraspinatus
infraspinatus
gluteus maximus, medius and minimus
iliotibial tract
tensor fascia latae
piriformis
rectus femoris
vastus lateralis, medialis and intermedius
sartorius
biceps femoris
semitendinosus
semimembranosus
gastrocnemius
soleus
tibialis anterior
adductor magnus and longus
gracilis
sartorius.
Muscular deficits may include:
diminished muscle strength and or endurance
limited flexibility
diminished muscle endurance.
Fitness exercises may include:
muscle strength
muscle endurance
symmetrical development and range
co-ordination of movement.
Role of muscle contraction may include:
agonist
antagonist
fixator
assistor.
Causes of poor posture may include:
congenital abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system
poor muscle strength
poor muscle endurance
muscle imbalance
lack of mobility
damage to bony structures
damage to connective tissue including ligaments, cartilage
changes to line of gravity caused by pregnancy, inappropriate footwear, behaviours, work practices, sport or leisure activities.
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:
treats client information with sensitivity and discretion, displays client empathy, puts clients at ease during the appraisal process and communicates information and results appropriately
carries out postural appraisals according to legal and ethical limitations and refers to appropriate personnel regarding areas outside level of responsibility
utilises a range of postural assessment tools and activities and makes informed recommendations to the client for appropriate exercise programs or recommends external assistance
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that may arise during the appraisal process such as providing strategies to address poor posture and referring clients with abnormal appraisal outcomes to medical or allied health professionals.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure conduct of multiple postural appraisals for a range of clients including older clients.
Assessment must ensure access to:
a fitness facility with appropriate postural analysis equipment to conduct the appraisals
multiple clients with a range of real or simulated fitness needs and postural conditions
documentation such as health screening questionnaires and appraisal tools, relevant appraisal forms to record information and organisational policies and procedures relating to client appraisal.
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 interaction with clients to conduct a postural fitness appraisal
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the role of the musculoskeletal system in assessing postural exercise requirements
portfolio demonstrating evidence of postural appraisals completed
third-party reports from supervisors detailing work performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISFFIT421A Plan and deliver personal training
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
treats client information with sensitivity and discretion, displays client empathy, puts clients at ease during the appraisal process and communicates information and results appropriately
carries out postural appraisals according to legal and ethical limitations and refers to appropriate personnel regarding areas outside level of responsibility
utilises a range of postural assessment tools and activities and makes informed recommendations to the client for appropriate exercise programs or recommends external assistance
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that may arise during the appraisal process such as providing strategies to address poor posture and referring clients with abnormal appraisal outcomes to medical or allied health professionals.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure conduct of multiple postural appraisals for a range of clients including older clients.
Assessment must ensure access to:
a fitness facility with appropriate postural analysis equipment to conduct the appraisals
multiple clients with a range of real or simulated fitness needs and postural conditions
documentation such as health screening questionnaires and appraisal tools, relevant appraisal forms to record information and organisational policies and procedures relating to client appraisal.
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 interaction with clients to conduct a postural fitness appraisal
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the role of the musculoskeletal system in assessing postural exercise requirements
portfolio demonstrating evidence of postural appraisals completed
third-party reports from supervisors detailing work performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISFFIT421A Plan and deliver personal training
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C7906 | SRFFIT009B | Undertake postural appraisal of low risk clients | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVD44 | SISFFIT018 | Promote functional movement capacity | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D438 | SIS40210 | Certificate IV in Fitness | Qualification |