GROUP EXERCISE INSTRUCTOR | An Exercise Professional is responsible for leading a planned exercise class with or without music | |
Range (includes but is not limited to) | Aerobic‐based, Indoor Cycling, Yoga‐based, Pilates mat‐based, Dance‐ based, Aqua, Boxing‐based, Martial Arts‐based, etc. | |
| Competency and scope of practice | UNIT STANDARDS: ID, title, NQF level and credits | |
| A. Choreograph Classes: | ||
| 1. Apply basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology, according to exercise modality | 243297: Apply KO anatomy & Physiology NQF level 4; 5 credits | |
2. Select, interpret and use appropriate music according to class type and exercise modality | 258725: Instruct exercise to individuals and groups, NQF level 4; 10 credits OR 10222 : Lead and instruct exercise programs for individuals and groups to music NQF level 5; 10 credits | |
| 3. Lead exercise class according to plan and club timetable | ||
| 4. Provide safe and effective warm up and cool down | ||
| 5. Regress and progress exercises and exercise classes | ||
| B. Leadership and Communication | ||
1. Instruct class with the use of effective motivation and leadership skills | ||
2. Lead and instruct exercise with the use of effective visual and verbal communication skills | ||
3. Use voice, microphone and music equipment in accordance with class type and class goals | ||
4. Use voice, microphone and music equipment in consideration of own vocal safety and effective voice projection | ||
| 5. Conduct oneself in a confident and professional manner | ||
| C. Health & Safety: | ||
1. Provide safe and effective exercises according to exercise modality | ||
| 2. Ensure health & safety of the exercise environment | ||
3. Ensure safe use of exercise accessories and equipment during exercise classes | ||
| Outside scope of practice | Total credits: 15 | |
| Personalized exercise programs and/or one‐on‐one personal training | ||
| Risk screening, assessment and fitness testing | ||
| Providing nutritional advice/guidelines | ||
| Rehabilitation programs | ||
| Exercise for Special populations | ||
FITNESS INSTRUCTOR | An Exercise Professional responsible for orientating members into an exercise setting; able to induct members and supervise members exercise sessions from a pre‐designed exercise programme | |
| Competency and scope of practice | UNIT STANDARDS: ID, title, NQF level and credits | |
| A. Plan and Instruct Classes: | ||
| 1. Apply basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology, according to exercise modality | 243297: Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to exercise training NQF level 4; 5 credits | |
2. Lead exercise session according to pre‐designed plan and/or club timetable | 258725: Instruct exercise to individuals and groups NQF level 4; 10 credits | |
| 3. Provide safe and effective warm up and cool down | ||
| 4. Regress and progress exercises and sessions | ||
5. Select appropriate pre‐designed exercise programmes in accordance with client’s abilities, needs and goals | ||
| B. Leadership and Communication: | ||
1. Instruct exercise with the use of effective motivation and leadership skills | ||
2. Lead and instruct exercise with the use of effective visual and verbal communication skills | ||
| 3. Conduct oneself in a confident and professional manner | ||
| C. Risk Screening: | 243294: Recommend an exercise programme or activity NQF level 4: 5 credits | |
| 1. Conduct basic risk screening with PAR‐Q process | ||
| 2. Interpret a PAR‐Q | ||
| D. Health & Safety: | ||
1. Provide safe and effective exercises according to exercise modality | 254459: Supervise the use of a fitness facility and equipment NQF level 5; 8 credits | |
| 2. Ensure health & safety of the exercise environment | ||
| 3. Manage self and members in a fitness facility environment | ||
4. Maintain the fitness environment and equipment according to safety requirements | ||
| Outside scope of practice | Total credits: 28 | |
| Personalised exercise programmes and/or one‐on‐one personal training | ||
| Assessment and fitness testing | ||
| Rehabilitation programmes | ||
| Exercise for Special populations | ||
| Providing nutritional advice/guidelines | ||
PILATES INSTRUCTOR | An exercise professional /fitness practitioner qualified to instruct Pilates mat‐based and/or Pilates equipment‐based exercise sessions to apparently‐healthy populations. | |
| Competency and scope of practice | ||
| A. Choreograph Classes/exercise sessions: | ||
| 1. Apply knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to exercise | 10213: Apply Anatomical & Biomechanical Principles to Physical Activity; NQF level 5, 15 credits | |
| 2. Apply knowledge of physiology to exercise | 10210: Apply principles of Sport and Exercise Physiology NQF level 5, 15 credits | |
3. Lead mat and/or equipment-based Pilates exercise session according to plan | 258725: Instruct exercise to individuals and groups, NQF level 4; 10 credits | |
4. Provide safe and effective warm up and cool down | ||
| 5. Regress and progress exercises and sessions | ||
6. Plan mat and/or equipment‐based Pilates exercise sessions based on clients’ abilities, needs and goals | ||
| B. Leadership and Communication | ||
| 1. Instruct exercise with the use of effective motivation and leadership skills | ||
2. Lead and instruct exercise with the use of effective visual and verbal communication skills | ||
3. Conduct oneself in a confident and professional manner | ||
| C. Risk Screening | ||
| 1. Conduct client screening | 243294: Recommend an exercise programme or activity, NQF level 4: 5 credits | |
| 2. Interpret a PAR‐Q | ||
3. Conduct health evaluation and postural assessment | 10216 Test and evaluate health related fitness, NQF level 5, 4 credits | |
4. Identify clients that are outside of scope of practice and refer accordingly | ||
5. Work only with apparently‐healthy clients, within scope of practice | ||
| 6. Provide generic nutritional guidelines | 10214: Promote an awareness of nutritional principles, NQF level 5, 6 credits | |
| D. Health & Safety | ||
1. Provide safe and effective exercises according to Pilates exercise modality | This is covered with US 258725, | |
| 2. Ensure health & safety of the exercise environment | This is covered with US 258725, | |
| E. Business management and administration: | ||
| 1. Maintain confidentiality of clients’ records | 10216, SO 4 and AC 2. “Confidentiality and integrity of information is maintained” | |
| 2. Ensure systematic records management | US 10216, SO 4 and AC 1. Information is accurately recorded and stored systematically | |
| Outside scope of practice | Total credits: | |
Working with special populations; pregnant clients, children and adolescents, athletes and/or clients who fall within moderate and high risk factors based on ACSM guidelines.) | ||
Working in rehabilitation, providing therapeutic exercises and providing exercise for the correction of faulty motor patterns | ||
| Working with acutely injured clients or members | ||
| Working with clients that experience chronic pain | ||
| PERSONAL TRAINER | An exercise professional /fitness practitioner qualified to provide advice and a range of exercise training programmes to apparently‐healthy populations. Professional scope of practice includes: pre‐participation risk screening, assessment and sub‐maximal fitness testing, evaluation of clients’ needs and goals, exercise programme design and instructing safe and effective exercise sessions. | |
| Competency and scope of practice | UNIT STANDARDS: ID, title, NQF level and credits | |
| A. Plan and instruct classes/exercise sessions: | ||
| 1. Apply knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to exercise programmes and training sessions | 10213: Apply Anatomical & Biomechanical Principles to Physical Activity; NQF level 5, 15 credits | |
| 2. Apply knowledge of physiology to exercise programmes and training sessions | 10210: Apply principles of Sport and Exercise Physiology NQF level 5, 15 credits | |
| 3. Lead exercise session according to a designed plan | 10217: Design exercise programmes, NQF level 5, 5 credits | |
| 4. Provide safe and effective warm up and cool down | ||
| 5. Regress and progress exercises and sessions | ||
6. Design exercise programmes based on clients’ needs, abilities and goals | ||
7. Plan exercise sessions based on clients’ abilities, needs and goals | ||
| B. Leadership and communication | ||
1. Instruct exercise with the use of effective motivation and leadership skills | 258725: Instruct exercise to individuals and groups; NQF level 4; 10 credits | |
2. Lead and instruct exercise with the use of effective visual and verbal communication skills | ||
| 3. Motivate clients through agreed exercise session/s | 10218: Motivate and encourage participation in physical activity, NQF level 5, 3 credits | |
| 4. Conduct oneself in a confident and professional manner | 258724: Operate professionally in a sport, recreation or fitness environment, NQF level 4, 3 credits | |
| C. Risk screening, assessment and fitness testing: | ||
| 1. Conduct client screening and assessment | 10215 Conduct screening procedure NQF level 5, 5 credits 10216 Test and evaluate health related fitness, NQF level 5, 4 credits | |
| 2. Interpret a PAR‐Q | ||
| 3. Conduct health evaluation and postural assessment | ||
| 4. Conduct sub maximal fitness testing | ||
5. Identify clients who are outside scope of practice and refer appropriately | ||
6. Work only with apparently‐healthy clients, within scope of practice | ||
| 7. Provide generic nutritional guidelines | 10214: Promote an awareness of nutritional principles, NQF level 5, 6 credits | |
1. Provide safe and effective exercises according to exercise modality | 254459: Supervise the use of a fitness facility and equipment; NQF level 5; 8 credits | ||||
| 2. Ensure health & safety of the exercise environment | |||||
| 3. Manage self and clients in a fitness facility environment | |||||
4. Maintain own fitness environment and equipment according to safety requirements | 10212: Maintain fitness environment and equipment, level 4, 2 credits | ||||
| 5. Ensure injury prevention measures | 10208: Provide for safety & risk management in sport, fitness or recreation, NQF level 5, 5 credits | ||||
| F. Business management and administration: | |||||
1. Manage a fitness business in compliance with legislative requirements | 14483: Apply entrepreneurship to administration of S&F Business, NQF level 5, 5 credits | ||||
| 2. Maintain confidentiality of clients’ records | |||||
| 3. Ensure systematic records management | |||||
| Outside scope of practice | TOTAL CREDITS | 86 | |||
· Working with special populations; pregnant clients, children and adolescents and/or clients who fall within moderate and high-risk factors based on ACSM guidelines.) · Working with or designing programmes for athletic conditioning | |||||
Working in rehabilitation, providing therapeutic exercises and providing exercise for the correction of faulty motor patterns | |||||
| Working with acutely injured clients or members | |||||
| Working with clients that experience chronic pain | |||||
| Prescribing dietary intervention and supplementation | |||||
| |||||
1. Provide safe and effective exercises according to exercise modality | 254459: Supervise the use of a fitness facility and equipment; NQF level 5; 8 credits | ||
| 2. Ensure health & safety of the exercise environment | |||
| 3. Manage self and clients in a fitness facility environment | |||
4. Maintain own fitness environment and equipment according to safety requirements | 10212: Maintain fitness environment and equipment, level 4, 2 credits | ||
| 5. Ensure injury prevention measures | 10208: Provide for safety & risk management in sport, fitness or recreation, NQF level 5, 5 credits | ||
| F. Business management and administration: | |||
1. Manage a fitness business in compliance with legislative requirements | 14483: Apply entrepreneurship to administration of S&F Business, NQF level 5, 5 credits | ||
| 2. Maintain confidentiality of clients’ records | |||
| 3. Ensure systematic records management | |||
| Outside scope of practice | TOTAL CREDITS | 86 | |
· Working with special populations; pregnant clients, children and adolescents and/or clients who fall within moderate and high risk factors based on ACSM guidelines.) · Working with or designing programmes for athletic conditioning | |||
Working in rehabilitation, providing therapeutic exercises and providing exercise for the correction of faulty motor patterns | |||
| Working with acutely injured clients or members | |||
| Working with clients that experience chronic pain | |||
| Prescribing dietary intervention and supplementation | |||
Exercise Specialist | An exercise professional /fitness practitioner qualified to provide advice and a range of exercise training to apparently‐healthy populations including special populations defined as pregnant clients, children and youth and/or older adults that have been cleared for exercise. Professional scope of practice includes: pre‐participation risk screening, assessment and fitness testing, evaluation of clients’ needs and goals, exercise programme design and instructing safe and effective exercise sessions. | |
| Competency and scope of practice | UNIT STANDARDS: ID, title, NQF level and credits | |
| MINIMUM PRE‐REQUISITE: CERTIFICATE PERSONAL TRAINING | ||
| A. Plan and instruct classes/exercise sessions: | ||
1. Apply knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to exercise programmes and training sessions | 13921: Identify and describe the anatomical & bio‐mechanical differences unique to special populations, NQF level 5, 10 credits | |
| 2. Apply knowledge of physiology to exercise programmes and training sessions | 13920: Identify and describe the physiological characteristics unique to special populations, NQF level 5, 5 credits | |
| 3. Lead exercise session according to designed plan | 14487: Design implement and instruct exercise for pregnancy, level 5, 20 credits 14501: Design implement and instruct exercise for children and youth, level 5, 20 credits 14484: Design implement and instruct exercise for older adults and increased risk, level 5, 20 credits | |
| 4. Provide safe and effective warm up and cool down | ||
| 5. Regress and progress exercises and sessions | ||
6. Design exercise programmes based on clients’ needs, abilities and goals | ||
7. Plan exercise sessions based on clients’ abilities, needs and goals | ||
| B. Leadership and Communication: | ||
1. Instruct exercise with the use of effective motivation and leadership skills | ||
2. Lead and instruct exercise with the use of effective visual and verbal communication skills | ||
| 3. Motivate clients through agreed exercise session/s | ||
| 4. Conduct oneself in a confident and professional manner | ||
C. Risk Screening, assessment and fitness testing: | ||
| 1. Conduct client screening and assessment | 13922: Perform assessment and fitness tests for special populations, Level 5, 20 credits | |
| 2. Interpret a PAR‐Q | ||
3. Conduct health assessment and postural assessment | ||
4. Conduct fitness testing, according to needs and ability of client | ||
| 5. Identify clients who are outside scope of practice and refer appropriately | ||||
6. Work only with apparently‐healthy clients and special populations, within scope of practice | ||||
| 7. Provide generic nutritional guidelines | 13923: Advise special populations on nutritional requirements and ergogenic aids, NQF level 5, 5 credits | |||
| D. Health & Safety: | ||||
1. Provide safe and effective exercises according to exercise modality | 13924: Deal with common injuries, illness and special considerations in the context of special populations, Level 5, 10 credits | |||
2. Ensure health & safety of the exercise environment | ||||
3. Manage self and clients in a fitness facility environment | ||||
4. Maintain own fitness environment and equipment according to safety requirements | ||||
| 5. Ensure injury prevention measures | ||||
| Outside Scope of Practice Total | TOTAL CREDITS 90 | |||
| Working in rehabilitation, providing therapeutic exercises and providing exercise for the correction of faulty motor patterns | ||||
| Working with acutely injured clients or members | ||||
| Prescribing dietary intervention and supplementation | ||||
| Working with clients that experience chronic pain | ||||
Sport Science Conditioning Specialist
| An exercise professional /fitness practitioner qualified in the context of sport performance and athletic conditioning that is able to provide advice, evaluation, assessment and testing for a range of conditioning programmes to apparently-healthy populations. Professional scope of practice (SOP) can include but is not limited to: evaluation of needs and goals, pre-participation screening, assessment and evaluation in the context of sport conditioning and sport preparedness, testing for a range of sport specific skills and or sport conditioning needs, programme design, instruction in safe and effective exercise and movement patterns for sport related outcomes. |
Qualification
| This is an advanced practitioner in the field of sport science who has a relevant industry specific undergraduate degree or diploma PLUS a post graduate degree specialising in Sport Science at minimum level 8 on the HEQSF. |
| Competency and scope of practice: The Sport Science Conditioning Specialist is at the forefront of their field, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding and ability to: | |
| Sport Science theory | |
| 1. Use theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to the academic discipline of sport science. | |
| 2. Conduct comprehensive anatomical and biomechanical analyses of movement relating to sport and sport programmes. | |
| 3. Use a range of scientific theory relating to physiological principles of sport performance. | |
| 4. Problem solve in a range of sport science and sport contexts to inform sport practice. | |
| 5. Interrogate options and choose from a multiple range of sources to inform sport practice. | |
| Application of sport science | |
| 1. Critically review data and evaluate information to develop sport programmes. | |
| 2. Produce and communicate information relating to sport science and according to needs and goals of athletes. | |
| 3. Design sport conditioning programmes based on current abilities, needs and goals of athletes. | |
| 4. Supervise the provision of or provide a range of training sessions based on abilities, needs and goals of athletes and in accordance with a periodised plan. | |
| Assessment, evaluation and Testing | |
| 1. Use scientifically accepted theory, methods and procedures in familiar and unfamiliar sport contexts. | |
| 2. Call upon a range of screening, assessment and testing tools based on current scientific principles | |
| 3. Conduct comprehensive screening, assessment and testing using accepted sport scientific principles, techniques, methods and procedures. | |
| 4. Conduct postural/movement/sport evaluations according to current scientific principles. | |
| 5. Use outcomes of assessments, evaluations and tests to advise and to improve sport performance. | |
| Health and Safety | |
| 1. Provide safe and effective sport conditioning programmes according to exercise or sport modality | |
| 2. Ensure the health & safety of the exercise or sport environment | |
| 3. Manage self and clients or athletes in a sport or exercise environment | |
| 4. Maintain own environment and equipment according to safety requirements | |
| 5. Ensure injury prevention measures | |
| Scope of practice | |
| 1. Ensure ethical practice, working within the professional scope of practice of sport science. | |
| 2. Identify clients/athletes who are outside scope of practice and refer appropriately, working with multi-disciplinary teams where relevant | |
| 3. Provide generic nutritional guidelines, working with dietician or sport nutritionist in the context of client/athlete needs and goals | |
| Leadership | |
| 1. Lead sport programmes and training sessions with the use of effective motivation and communication skills. | |
| 2. Motivate clients or athletes through agreed sport conditioning session/s | |
| 3. Conduct professional practice in a confident and professional manner | |
| Outside Scope of Practice | |
| · Working in rehabilitation, providing therapeutic exercises | |
| · Working with acutely injured clients or members | |
| · Prescribing dietary intervention and supplementation | |
| · Working with clients that experience chronic pain | |