Advanced Certificate in Fitness in Special Populations
Culture and Arts - Sport
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The Advanced Certificate in Fitness in Special Populations provides learners with the knowledge and skills needed to specialize in their professional practice in exercise qualifications for special populations. The qualification ensures that knowledge-building scaffolds on existing exercise science and fitness-based knowledge by ensuring the relevant theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to work as a specialist trainer. A qualifying learner will be able to:
- Implement exercise programmes in consideration of the physiological, anatomical and mechanical changes that occur within each special population.
- Design, implement and manage physical activity programmes for apparently healthy clients or those with a moderate risk factor and are capable of exercise.
- Screen, assess, monitor and professionally manage clients in terms of their exercise and nutrition needs.
- Provide relevant and uniquely designed exercise programmes through safe and effective physical activity participation.
- Apply psychological principles which support adherence to exercise programmes.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the professional scope of practice and specialist referral, in line with professional standards.
Rationale:
The Advanced Certificate in Fitness: Special Populations is a response to the growing industry of fitness in South Africa and internationally, with personal trainer and exercise specialist as established professions already in South Africa. This qualification for a Special Populations Exercise specialist is in response to the continuing growth of the fitness sector and the establishment of its professional body for fitness practitioners - the Register of Exercise Professionals South Africa (REPSSA). REPSSA ensures international benchmarking and internationally agreed standards for fitness professionals through its association with its international body; IC REPS.
This qualification meets the REPSSA standards for fitness practitioners; specifically for the professional designation of Exercise Specialist. Thus, it addresses the increasing need for specialization in the sport and fitness sector, acknowledging that as the profession expands and grows its social identity, its professional designations and their concomitant theoretical and vocational knowledge requirement increases.
This qualification aims to allow an exercise professional to provide advice and a range of exercise training to healthy populations including special populations defined as pregnant clients, children and youth and older adults and who are capable for exercise. Specifically, this qualification aims to:
- Ensure that the professional practices, both learned and applied, adhere to current principles of exercise science.
- Enhance the professional standards of fitness practitioners by ensuring understanding of and commitment to working within a scope of practice that gives credibility to their profession.
- Align the education and training for fitness professionals to the international sport and fitness community.
Outcomes
- Screen, assess, and fitness test for special population groups.
- Design, implement and manage safe and effective exercise programmes for special populations.
- Plan exercise sessions base on clients abilities, needs and goals.
- Demonstrate knowledge of health and safety for each population group.
- Provide educated advice and support in terms of health, lifestyle and exercise management.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Implement screening to identify risks and eligibility for exercise in special population groups.
- Conduct field-based and facility-based testing to determine exercise readiness, participation levels, and training requirements.
- Provide nutritional guidelines for healthy eating, with knowledge of specific dietary requirements for each population group.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Demonstrate current knowledge of exercise physiology for special population groups.
- Interpret fitness data to determine safe and effective exercise programs.
- Apply anatomical and biomechanical principles to exercise programs.
- Manage and design exercise programs to address known diseases and injuries within special population groups.
- Design client-specific exercise programs based on energy demands and fitness goals.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Design appropriate exercise programs based on screening and fitness evaluation.
- Demonstrate and lead exercise programs according to client health and fitness status.
- Modify exercise sessions based on client health and fitness status.
- Monitor exercise technique and provide feedback.
- Consider intensity, duration, frequency, and progression in exercise programs.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Identify common diseases and associated chronic diseases in special population groups.
- Develop exercise strategies to prevent or reduce the incidence of chronic diseases.
- Identify injury risks within each population group.
- Provide professional referrals where necessary.
- Demonstrate knowledge of professional practice in screening, assessment, and programming.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Identify lifestyle issues and barriers to exercise for each population group.
- Conduct educational sessions on exercise, training, and nutrition.
- Understand the relationship between health, lifestyle choices, and exercise.
- Manage exercise programs considering lifestyle and health management.
Integrated Assessment:
- Integration of concepts, ideas, and actions to demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills.
- Assessment of theoretical knowledge through class tests, exams, and assignments.
- Practical skills assessment through projects, demonstrations, skill tests, and simulations.
- Demonstration of sport and exercise conditioning skills using relevant equipment.
- Projects showing preparation and adaptation of conditioning programs for participants/athletes.
Experiential Learning:
- Placement in fitness facilities, schools, or sports clubs to achieve theoretical knowledge and skill-based outcomes.
- Provision of logbooks indicating competencies and evidence requirements.
- Collaboration with workplace supervisors for confirmation of competencies.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Certificate
- NQF Level
- 06
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.