Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:04 AM AWST
22/07/2026 9:04 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.
Deliver prescribed exercise to clients with a disability or neurological impairment
Deliver prescribed exercise to clients with a disability or neurological impairment
Unit of competency
National Code
SISFFIT529A
SISFFIT529A
State Code
D6245
D6245
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
22/12/2011
Field of Education
092103 - Sports Coaching, Officiating And Instruction
Original Release Date
22/12/2011
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required assist in the delivery of exercise programs to referred clients with a disability or neurological impairment who present with only moderate risk of untoward event or exacerbation of impairment during exercise, in collaboration with the relevant medical or allied health professionals.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Consult with clients presenting with neurological impairment.
- 1.1. Receive exercise referral from a relevant medical or allied health professional.
- 1.2. Confirm exercise referral has sufficient detail to allow flexibility for modifications to accommodate progression of the client.
- 1.3. Become familiar with typical adverse signs and symptoms that may arise during exercise for clients with neurological impairment or disability.
- 1.4. Consult with an appropriate medical or allied health professional as necessary.
- 1.5. Discuss with the client their complete exercise history and their neurological impairment and record relevant information according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.6. Explain to the client the different roles of cardiovascular and muscular conditioning, and the reasons for their inclusion in the exercise prescription.
- 1.7. Confirm the outcomes of a goals and needs analysis in collaboration with the client and the medical or allied health professional if appropriate.
- 1.8. Explain to the client their need to be referred back to a medical or allied health professional if their condition becomes unstable.
- 1.9. Identify any potential barriers to exercise and discuss methods to enhance exercise adherence with the client.
- 1.10.Clarify any areas of concern with the referring accredited exercise physiologist or relevant medical or allied health professional, in conjunction with the client.
- 1.11.Obtain the informed consent of the client and maintain the client's records according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
2. Consult with clients presenting with disabilities.
- 2.1. Receive exercise referral from medical and allied health professional if applicable or undertake pre-exercise screening with client.
- 2.2. Interpret referral and pre-exercise screening and seek clarification from medical or allied health professional.
- 2.3. Discuss with the client their complete exercise history and condition and record relevant information according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.4. Explain to the client the role and benefits of physical activity in managing disabilities and enhancing health.
3. Deliver prescribed exercise programs.
- 3.1. Undertake appropriate fitness assessment as required.
- 3.2. Work with medical or allied health professional to deliver an exercise plan in accordance with recognised exercise recommendations, fitness test results, client limitations, and potential interactions of medications.
- 3.3. Explain to the client the different roles of cardiorespiratory and muscular conditioning, and the reasons for their inclusion as part of the client's exercise prescription.
- 3.4. Explain to the client the exercise variables to be implemented in the context of managing their specific cardiorespiratory conditions.
- 3.5. Apply instructional techniques to ensure safe and appropriate application of the exercise program by the client.
- 3.6. Demonstrate the safe and appropriate use of selected exercise equipment and report or address any unsafe equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
4. Monitor and review clients responses to the prescribed exercise program.
- 4.1. Monitor perceived exercise intensity and make adjustment as required.
- 4.2. Assess the client's performance and explain and correct any unsafe exercise procedures.
- 4.3. Monitor client responses for any typical signs and symptoms requiring intervention that may occur during exercise.
- 4.4. Apply procedures to respond to signs and symptoms requiring intervention as required according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.5. Recognise signs of an unstable condition and refer the client back to an appropriate medical or allied health professional.
- 4.6. Monitor progress and report outcomes to the client.
- 4.7. Revise the client's record and advise the referral source of suggested changes to the exercise program if required.
5. Provide advice regarding additional lifestyle modifications to enhance the management of the disability or neurological impairment.
- 5.1. Obtain information about the client's current lifestyle.
- 5.2. Discuss possible barriers to behaviour change and implementation of healthy eating practices.
- 5.3. Provide information about the fundamental features of balanced nutrition and recommend modifications to dietary intake to improve general health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- 5.4. Recommend other lifestyles changes to improve current disease status.
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.
Medical or allied health professional may include:
sports physician
sports doctor
general practitioner
physiotherapist
accredited exercise physiologist
occupational therapist
remedial massage therapist
chiropractor
osteopath
accredited practising dietician
podiatrist
psychologist
aboriginal health worker.
Client may include:
older
sedentary
overweight or obese.
Neurological impairment may include:
cerebral palsy
acquired brain injury
stroke
Parkinson's disease
multiple sclerosis
spinal cord injury
dementia
autism spectrum disorder
muscular dystrophy
spasticity.
Disability may include:
intellectual
physical
neurological
sensory.
Relevant legislation may include:
Occupational Health and Safety
duty of care
privacy
codes of practice
fair trading.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
Occupational Health and Safety
emergency procedures
risk management
use of client record systems
collection and use of client information
equipment use and maintenance
client supervision
incident reporting
client screening procedures
client referral procedures.
Muscular conditioning may include:
muscular strength
muscular power
muscular endurance
Goals and needs analysis may include:
timeframes
appropriate exercise program adjustments
barriers
motivation.
Barriers may include:
physical access
client attitude
perceived limitations.
Methods to enhance exercise adherence may include:
rewards for attendance and participation
statement of intent
perceived choice
goal setting.
Records may include:
electronic
hand written.
Pre-exercise screening may include:
medical clearance
current client condition
medical and exercise history
functional limitations
medication
fitness goals
time availability.
Disabilities may include:
paraplegic
quadriplegic
visually impaired
hearing impaired
cerebral palsy
chromosomalabnormalities:
down syndrome
turner syndrome
chronic pain
brain injury
amputee
intellectual disabilities
stroke
muscular dystrophy
joint replacement.
Fitness assessment may include:
neurological or relevant disability response to exercise
range of movement
strength
girth measurements
posture.
Instructional techniques may include:
demonstration
explanation
positive feedback
motivational strategies.
Exercise program may include:
exercise selection
exercise sequence
exercise variety.
Exercise equipment may include:
free weight equipment
resistance training machines
hydraulic machines
aquatic equipment
resistance bands.
Monitor client responses may include:
rating of perceived exertion (RPE)
heart rate measures
'talk test'
direct observation.
Symptoms requiring intervention may include:
shortness of breath at rest or with mild exertion
dizziness or syncope
unusual fatigue
illness or sickness
weakness
neck pain or strain
pain on movement of any body part.
Procedures to respond to signs and symptoms requiring intervention may include:
cessation of activity
first aid
emergency medical assistance
referral.
Signs of an unstable condition may include:
fatigue and weakness
cardiac pain
breathlessness
oedema
palpitations
claudication pain
dizziness.
Lifestyle modifications may include:
moderation of alcohol consumption
cessation of smoking
increased incidental activity
stress reduction
provision of health eating guidelines
provision of healthier choices.
Alterations to the exercise variables may include:
duration
frequency
intensity.
Pre-exercise screening may include:
initial screening may consist of:
questionnaire
interview
medicalclearance
initial screening should determine whether the client:
has a medical condition
has an injury
is on prescribed medication
forms used:
pre-activity screening questionnaire
informed consent
medical clearance
information obtained:
medical history
functional limitations
medication
lifestyle evaluation
fitness goals
exercise history
time availability.
Medical or allied health professional may include:
sports physician
sports doctor
general practitioner
physiotherapist
accredited exercise physiologist
occupational therapist
remedial massage therapist
chiropractor
osteopath
accredited practising dietician
podiatrist
psychologist
aboriginal health worker.
Client may include:
older
sedentary
overweight or obese.
Neurological impairment may include:
cerebral palsy
acquired brain injury
stroke
Parkinson's disease
multiple sclerosis
spinal cord injury
dementia
autism spectrum disorder
muscular dystrophy
spasticity.
Disability may include:
intellectual
physical
neurological
sensory.
Relevant legislation may include:
Occupational Health and Safety
duty of care
privacy
codes of practice
fair trading.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
Occupational Health and Safety
emergency procedures
risk management
use of client record systems
collection and use of client information
equipment use and maintenance
client supervision
incident reporting
client screening procedures
client referral procedures.
Muscular conditioning may include:
muscular strength
muscular power
muscular endurance
Goals and needs analysis may include:
timeframes
appropriate exercise program adjustments
barriers
motivation.
Barriers may include:
physical access
client attitude
perceived limitations.
Methods to enhance exercise adherence may include:
rewards for attendance and participation
statement of intent
perceived choice
goal setting.
Records may include:
electronic
hand written.
Pre-exercise screening may include:
medical clearance
current client condition
medical and exercise history
functional limitations
medication
fitness goals
time availability.
Disabilities may include:
paraplegic
quadriplegic
visually impaired
hearing impaired
cerebral palsy
chromosomalabnormalities:
down syndrome
turner syndrome
chronic pain
brain injury
amputee
intellectual disabilities
stroke
muscular dystrophy
joint replacement.
Fitness assessment may include:
neurological or relevant disability response to exercise
range of movement
strength
girth measurements
posture.
Instructional techniques may include:
demonstration
explanation
positive feedback
motivational strategies.
Exercise program may include:
exercise selection
exercise sequence
exercise variety.
Exercise equipment may include:
free weight equipment
resistance training machines
hydraulic machines
aquatic equipment
resistance bands.
Monitor client responses may include:
rating of perceived exertion (RPE)
heart rate measures
'talk test'
direct observation.
Symptoms requiring intervention may include:
shortness of breath at rest or with mild exertion
dizziness or syncope
unusual fatigue
illness or sickness
weakness
neck pain or strain
pain on movement of any body part.
Procedures to respond to signs and symptoms requiring intervention may include:
cessation of activity
first aid
emergency medical assistance
referral.
Signs of an unstable condition may include:
fatigue and weakness
cardiac pain
breathlessness
oedema
palpitations
claudication pain
dizziness.
Lifestyle modifications may include:
moderation of alcohol consumption
cessation of smoking
increased incidental activity
stress reduction
provision of health eating guidelines
provision of healthier choices.
Alterations to the exercise variables may include:
duration
frequency
intensity.
Pre-exercise screening may include:
initial screening may consist of:
questionnaire
interview
medicalclearance
initial screening should determine whether the client:
has a medical condition
has an injury
is on prescribed medication
forms used:
pre-activity screening questionnaire
informed consent
medical clearance
information obtained:
medical history
functional limitations
medication
lifestyle evaluation
fitness goals
exercise history
time availability.
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:
communicates effectively with medical or allied health professionals regarding relevant health and functional status of the referred client
effective communication skills to discuss aspects of exercise prescription with clients
when appropriate, react to adverse events to deal with exercise program problems and issues
ability to correctly interpret the exercise prescription and make modifications consistent with prescribed parameters and scope of practice
safely and effectively delivers exercise for referred clients with disabilities and neurological impairment and recommends appropriate alterations according to client's physical and motivational responses
monitors and maintains the safety of clients, exercise equipment and the exercise setting and applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with problems and issues that may arise during the exercise program
applies all relevant legal and ethical requirements when discussing and recording client information
demonstrates appropriate manner, empathy and patience when working with clients with disabilities and neurological impairment
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure demonstration of skills over a period of time within a facility where a variety of exercise modes and equipment are available to support effective exercise for clients with disabilities and neurological impairment.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a facility where a variety of exercise modes and equipment are available, such as exercise machines, weight machines, exercise mats and adequate floor space
a range of clients with real or simulated neurological impairment from a range of ages
a range of clients with real or simulated disability from a range of ages
a range of real or simulated medical and allied health professional referrals for a range of clients with neurological impairment
demonstration of skills on sufficient occasions to determine competence in interpreting relevant information and delivering the prescribed exercise program for a range of clients with disabilities and neurological impairment.
relevant documentation such as client record forms.
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 and adjusting standard exercise prescriptions to account for a range of neurological impairments, disabilities and risk factors to focus on functional capacity and health rather than physical fitness
observation of dealing effectively with a range of contingencies such as real or simulated client injuries or inability to complete the exercise prescription
oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of physical and cognitive consequences of common neurological impairments and disabilities likely to be encountered in the exercise setting
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing work performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
communicates effectively with medical or allied health professionals regarding relevant health and functional status of the referred client
effective communication skills to discuss aspects of exercise prescription with clients
when appropriate, react to adverse events to deal with exercise program problems and issues
ability to correctly interpret the exercise prescription and make modifications consistent with prescribed parameters and scope of practice
safely and effectively delivers exercise for referred clients with disabilities and neurological impairment and recommends appropriate alterations according to client's physical and motivational responses
monitors and maintains the safety of clients, exercise equipment and the exercise setting and applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with problems and issues that may arise during the exercise program
applies all relevant legal and ethical requirements when discussing and recording client information
demonstrates appropriate manner, empathy and patience when working with clients with disabilities and neurological impairment
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure demonstration of skills over a period of time within a facility where a variety of exercise modes and equipment are available to support effective exercise for clients with disabilities and neurological impairment.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a facility where a variety of exercise modes and equipment are available, such as exercise machines, weight machines, exercise mats and adequate floor space
a range of clients with real or simulated neurological impairment from a range of ages
a range of clients with real or simulated disability from a range of ages
a range of real or simulated medical and allied health professional referrals for a range of clients with neurological impairment
demonstration of skills on sufficient occasions to determine competence in interpreting relevant information and delivering the prescribed exercise program for a range of clients with disabilities and neurological impairment.
relevant documentation such as client record forms.
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 and adjusting standard exercise prescriptions to account for a range of neurological impairments, disabilities and risk factors to focus on functional capacity and health rather than physical fitness
observation of dealing effectively with a range of contingencies such as real or simulated client injuries or inability to complete the exercise prescription
oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of physical and cognitive consequences of common neurological impairments and disabilities likely to be encountered in the exercise setting
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing work performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C7925 | SRFFSP010A | Plan and deliver exercise for low to moderate risk clients with neurological impairment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J769 | SIS50213 | Diploma of Fitness | Qualification |
| D444 | SIS50210 | Diploma of Fitness | Qualification |