Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 12:52 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 strength and conditioning programs

Develop strength and conditioning programs

Unit of competency
National Code
SISSSTC402A
State Code
D5608
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
28/11/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2014
Field of Education
092103 - Sports Coaching, Officiating And Instruction
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, knowledge and skills required to develop, implement and evaluate a strength and conditioning program. It focuses on the skills needed to develop a program which meets the needs of individual athletes or groups of athletes according to their sport-specific needs or those undertaking fitness programs to achieve personal fitness goals.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify the needs and requirements of the athlete or team members.
  • 1.1. Analyse the strength and conditioning needs and requirements of the activity or sport of the target individual or group.
  • 1.2. Develop profiles for each individual or group member participating in the strength and conditioning program using appropriate assessment measures.
  • 1.3. Develop short, medium and long-term objectives for the strength and conditioning program through negotiation with athletes and support personnel.
  • 1.4. Identify the career phase of athlete and the training phase of the selected sport or activity to be addressed in the program.
2. Plan a strength and conditioning training program to meet identified needs.
  • 2.1. Develop a strategy to meet the identified needs and requirements of the athlete or team.
  • 2.2. Select the core lifts and exercises and techniques of strength and conditioning to address identified needs and requirements of the athlete according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.3. Establish fixed points of the program and identify and document training phases within the training program.
  • 2.4. Apply exercise selection and exercise order to maximise conditioning outcomes throughout the program.
  • 2.5. Identify equipment and resource requirements for each session within the program.
  • 2.6. Develop and document a program schedule to meet the identified needs, requirements and objectives of the athlete.
  • 2.7. Include evaluation methods to monitor the training program prior to implementation.
3. Implement strength and conditioning training program.
  • 3.1. Supervise strength and conditioning program.
  • 3.2. Use strength and conditioning training methods to meet identified needs and requirements of athletes or team members.
  • 3.3. Observe sessions to see that exercises are conducted in accord with rules and regulations and accepted best practice principles of strength and conditioning training.
  • 3.4. Ensure correct use of equipment during strength and conditioning session, according to organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer's instructions.
  • 3.5. Establish ongoing liaison between other coaches and specialists where coaches and specialists work with the same athlete to ensure a consistent approach to the strength and conditioning program.
4. Monitor, evaluate and modify the strength and conditioning program.
  • 4.1. Evaluate the program according to methods established and documented within the strength and conditioning program plan.
  • 4.2. Monitor use of equipment according to exercise plan and relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 4.3. Review each athlete's or athletes' training diary or diaries to monitor ongoing progress.
  • 4.4. Use assessment measures to assess athlete's ongoing progress.
  • 4.5. Seek and receive feedback from participating athletes and support personnel.
  • 4.6. Implement modifications to the program, where relevant, to meet identified needs.
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.
Needs and requirements may include:
competition performance
pre-adolescent
mature aged
disability
reconditioning
rehabilitation.
Profiles may include:
physical
psychological
tactical
technical
leadership skills.
Assessment measures may include:
discussion with trainees
physical ability tests
trials
performances in familiar environment
performances in unfamiliar environment
field assessments of fitness components
performance history.
Objectives may include:
enjoyment
competition or performance
selection
tapering
peaking
maintenance.
Athlete or Athletes may include:
experienced or inexperienced
female or male
competitor in team or individual sports
amateur or professional.
Support personnel may include:
administrators
coaches
sports scientists
sports medicine providers
parents or guardians.
Career phase may include:
novice
intermediate
advanced.
Training phase may include:
macro-cycles
micro-cycles
meso-cycles
pre-season
in-season
post-season
four year Olympic cycle.
Core lifts and exercises may include:
abdominal
roll outs
reverse crunch
side bends
prone and hold
back
biceps
calves and ankles
chest
forearms
hip or thigh
shoulders
triceps
power exercises
proprioception and neuromuscular coordination exercises.
Techniques of strength and conditioning may include:
resistance training
aerobic endurance
anaerobic endurance
flexibility and stretching
elastic energy
abdominal
core stability.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
athlete assessment procedures
confidentiality of athlete information
emergency procedures
time constraints and scheduling requirements
use of venue
equal opportunity.
Fixed points may include:
structure and subdivision of performance levels
availability of facilities
rules of the activity
rules of the competition or performance
intended peaks
selection dates and criteria
availability of support personnel.
Exercise selection may include:
types of resistance training exercises
movement analysis of sport
athlete's exercise technique experience
available equipment and training time.
Exercise order may include:
core followed by assisted exercises
pre-exhaustion method
alternated upper and lower body exercise
supersets and compound sets.
Equipment may include:
cardiovascular equipment
free weight equipment
hydraulic equipment
innovative equipment
exercise balls
bars
steps
bands
plyometric training systems
resistance equipment
pool based equipment.
Resource requirements may include:
ratio of coaches to athletes
ratio of equipment to athletes
access to first aid facilities
access to equipment
appropriate facilities.
Evaluation methods may include:
fitness assessments
lab assessments
discussion with participants
training and competitive performances
training diaries.
Strength and conditioning training methods may include:
work duration, rest periods and frequency
periodisation
training load, repetition and volume
rehabilitation and reconditioning
core stability.
Best practice principles of strength and conditioning training may include:
the sports coaches' or instructors' code of conduct policy developed by the peak bodies responsible for the development of teaching and coaching
Australian Sports Commission Harassment-free Sport policy
Australian Sports Commission's drugs in sport policy
National Activity Organisation's regulations and guidelines.
Other coaches and or specialists may include:
health professionals
physiologists
biomechanics
exercise scientists.
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:
assesses athlete's or athletes' current training status and needs and applies knowledge of human anatomy and physiology to develop programs to meet stated objectives for strength and conditioning
plans strength and conditioning classes that meet athlete expectations, comply with legislative and organisational requirements, and are of sufficient duration to allow the candidate to demonstrate the use of strength and conditioning techniques
evaluates and modifies the training program according to feedback received and the results of evaluation procedures.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure development and implementation of multiple strength and conditioning programs to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance in the provision of core strength and conditioning techniques according to the specific needs of individuals, groups or sports.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
an environment with appropriate facilities, equipment and materials such as free weight or hydraulic equipment
a range of athletes with real or simulated strength and conditioning goals
documentation such as athlete's performance history and manufacturer's specifications for equipment use.
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 preparation and planning for a strength and conditioning program, including the assessment of athletes
observation of interaction with a range of participants, including conveying information for safe participation in strength and conditioning sessions and monitoring the use of equipment
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of physiological, psychological and biomechanical changes that occur during strength and conditioning training
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, for example:
SISSSTC301A Instruct strength and conditioning techniques
SISXCAI405A Conduct individualised long term training programs.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6915 SRSSTC002A Plan and prepare a strength and conditioning program for a competitive athlete Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBD92 SISXCAI010 Develop strength and conditioning programs Unit of competency