Program competency standards in Exercise Science

Area 01) Biomechanics and functional anatomy
Have knowledge of human anatomy and biomechanics to devise safe and effective fitness programs, improve athletes` performance, recognise and correct improper technique during physical activity, prevent injuries and regain physical fitness after injury.

01-K) Knowledge

1.01) Describe the basic structure of bone, skeletal muscle and connective tissues.

1.02) Describe the basic structures of cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems.

1.03) Describe the major bones, muscle groups and tendons involved in gross human movement.

1.04) Describe the different types of joints in the body, and factors that determine range of motion in diarthrodial joints.

1.05) Describe the actions of the major skeletal muscle groups.

1.06) Describe movement of the trunk and extremities in the three planes: sagittal, frontal and horizontal.

1.07) Be familiar with the SI system of units and use appropriate units to quantify biomechanical parameters.

1.08) Explain the relationships between angular and linear displacement, velocity and acceleration.

1.09) Identify and describe the effects of factors governing projectile trajectory.

1.10) Distinguish between average and instantaneous quantities and identify circumstances under which each is a quantity of interest.

1.11) Describe and distinguish angular motion from rectilinear and curvilinear motion.

1.12) Explain the terms `absolute` and `relative` angles.

1.13) Describe Newton`s laws of motion and gravitation and describe illustrations of the laws.

1.14) Explain what factors affect friction and discuss the role of friction in daily activities and sports.

1.15) Explain the terms `impulse` and `momentum` and the relationships between them.

1.16) Explain what factors govern the outcome of a collision between two bodies.

1.17) Describe the inter-relationships among mechanical work, power, and energy.

1.18) Explain the concept of leverage within the human body and describe the mechanical advantages associated with different types of levers.

1.19) Explain the term `centre of gravity` and describe the significance of centre of gravity location in the human body.

1.20) Describe the relationship between factors such as centre of gravity, base of support, balance and stability.

1.21) Describe the term `torque`, explain the methods used to quantify resultant torques, and identify the factors that affect resultant joint torques.

1.22) Describe the angular analogues of mass, force, momentum and impulse.

1.23) Explain the mechanisms that occur when changes in the configuration of a rotating airborne body can produce changes in the body`s angular velocity.

1.24) Describe the angular analogues of Newton`s Laws of motion.

1.25) Explain the term `centripetal force`.

1.26) Explain the ways in which the composition and flow characteristics of a fluid affect fluid forces.

1.27) Explain the term `buoyancy` and discuss the variables that determine whether a human body will float.

1.28) Explain the term `drag`, identify the components of drag and discuss the factors that affect the magnitude of each component.

1.29) Explain the term `lift` and explain the ways in which it can be generated.

1.30) Explain the work-energy relationship.

1.31) Explain the different methods used to determine body segment parameters for calculating centre of mass.

1.32) Describe the patterns of temporal, kinematic and kinetic variables that are commonly assessed by clinical gait analyses.

1.33) Describe the patterns of muscle action observed for normal and pathological gait patterns.

1.34) Describe the stages in the normative development of gait and give approximate ages at which they usually occur.

1.35) Describe the major changes in gait patterns that occur in the elderly and in those with common pathological conditions.

1.36) Explain how muscular weakness, fatigue and/or neurological disorders may affect the biomechanics of movement.

1.37) Describe how materials and structures respond to loading (compression, tension, bending, shear and torsion), including uniaxial and multi-axial loads.

1.38) Explain the terms `stress` and `strain`, `modulus of elasticity` and `fracture toughness`.

1.39) Describe the relationships between tissue properties and force, and impulse and energy.

1.40) Describe how the biomechanical properties of tissues and structures change with adaptations to load, disuse, overuse, nutrition, aging and other factors.

1.41) Describe how various intrinsic and extrinsic factors interact and contribute to injuries.

1.42) Describe how tissues respond to injury via inflammation, repair and remodelling processes.

01-S) Skills

1.43) Demonstrate an ability to analyse common exercise movements according to biomechanical principles and identify muscle groups involved in each.

1.44) Demonstrate an ability to collect kinematic data.

1.45) Demonstrate an ability to calculate velocity and acceleration using the first central difference method.

1.46) Demonstrate an ability to calculate theArea under a parameter-time curve.

1.47) Demonstrate knowledge of the three equations of constant acceleration.

1.48) Demonstrate the ability to solve quantitative problems involving angular kinematic quantities, and the relationships between angular and linear kinematic quantities.

1.49) Demonstrate the ability to represent the external forces acting on the human body by way of a free body diagram.

1.50) Demonstrate the ability to calculate the centre of mass for both an individual segment and the entire body from two-dimensional kinematic data.

1.51) Demonstrate the ability to solve quantitative problems related to kinetic concepts.

1.52) Demonstrate the ability to solve quantitative problems relating to the factors that cause or modify angular motion.

1.53) Demonstrate the ability to quantitatively analyse gait using basic temporal, kinematic and kinetic procedures.

1.54) Demonstrate the ability to use basic isokinetic dynamometer procedures for assessing and quantifying musculoskeletal function.

1.55) Demonstrate the ability to develop appropriate movement measures, including the interfacing of various monitoring devices to assess the performance of any specific movement pattern.

1.56) Using biomechanical principles, demonstrate the ability to identify movement patterns and potential risks of injury associated with common exercise equipment, such as resistance equipment (free, pin and hydraulic weights), stationary bicycles, stair-climbing machines and rowing machines.

1.57) Demonstrate the ability to measure and analyse the injury mechanisms associated with particular types of tissue injury.

1.58) Demonstrate the ability to select appropriate methods to control and modify inflammatory, reparative and remodelling phases of tissue responses to injury.

1.59) Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the rate of progress and efficacy of treatments.

Area 02) Exercise physiology
Understand the physiological responses to exercise and training and know how to use this knowledge to develop effective programs that encourage individuals to incorporate regular physical activity into a healthy lifestyle.

02-K) Knowledge

2.01) Describe the acute cardiovascular and respiratory responses to exercise of increasing intensity, including normal and abnormal responses of heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, arteriovenous oxygen difference, pulmonary ventilation, tidal volume, respiratory rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

2.02) Describe the effects of different types of exercise training on the cardiovascular and respiratory responses listed above.

2.03) Describe the basic anatomy and functioning of the heart related to cardiac output and blood flow, cardiac pathways of nerve conduction, and electrical activity.

2.04) Describe the macroscopic and molecular structure of muscle tissue, including the mechanisms and metabolic requirements of muscle contraction.

2.05) Describe the physiological and metabolic characteristics of human skeletal muscle fibre types.

2.06) Describe the biochemical pathways by which fat, carbohydrate and proteins substrates are catabolised to produce energy during exercise of varying intensity and duration.

2.07) Explain the regulation of energy metabolism in skeletal and cardiac muscle during and after exercise.

2.08) Describe the relative contributions of aerobic and anaerobic respiration during exercise of varying intensity, including the metabolic and physiological mechanisms related to the concepts of lactate, ventilatory and anaerobic thresholds.

2.09) Define the metabolic, hormonal, physiological and neural factors limiting exercise capacity during activity of varying form (ie endurance, resistance and anaerobic), intensity and duration, and their inter-relationships.

2.10) Describe the acute metabolic, hormonal, muscular (skeletal and cardiac)and neural responses to exercise of varying form, intensity and duration.

2.11) Describe the chronic metabolic, hormonal, muscular (skeletal and cardiac)and neural adaptations to exercise of varying form, intensity and duration.

2.12) Explain how the metabolic, hormonal, muscular (skeletal and cardiac)and neural adaptations that occur in response to regular exercise affect health-related factors, such as risk factors for cardiovascular disease, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, cancer and osteoporosis.

2.13) Describe the physiological principles and biochemical pathways related to muscular fatigue and muscle soreness during and after exercise.

2.14) Describe the principles of overload, frequency, duration and intensity related to endurance and resistance exercise training.

2.15) Explain the physiological and metabolic responses to detraining.

2.16) Describe the signs, causes and contributing factors related to overtraining syndrome.

2.17) Describe the positive and negative effects of various ergogenic aids on exercise performance and general health, including the effects of creatine, bicarbonate, glycerol loading, anabolic steroids, autologous blood transfusion (`blood doping`), caffeine and exogenously administered amino acids, erythropoietin, and growth hormone.

2.18) Describe the physiological mechanisms explaining gender differences in exercise responses, adaptations and performance.

2.19) Explain the physiological training responses of the female exerciser, specifically as related to reproductive function and pregnancy and the effect of menstrual cycle phase on sport performance.

2.20) Describe the physiological mechanisms related to thermoregulation during exercise, and the physiological adaptations that occur as a consequence of chronic hot and cold exposure.

2.21) Describe the regulation of fluid homeostasis during exercise and optimal methods for fluid replacement before, during and after exercise.

2.22) Describe the physiological, metabolic and biochemical responses to actual or simulated altitude and implications for exercise performance and training at altitude.

2.23) Describe the acute and chronic effects of exercise on the immune system.

2.24) Describe how nutrition can influence exercise performance, recovery and physiological adaptations.

02-S) Skills

2.25) Demonstrate the ability to administer and interpret results from basic physiological tests of exercise capacity/fitness, including assessment of VO2 max; anaerobic threshold submaximal estimation of VO2 max; anaerobic exercise capacity; and muscular strength, power, endurance and flexibility.

2.26) Demonstrate an ability to calculate energy expenditure of various exercise, sporting and occupational tasks, including the issue of economy of movement.

2.27) Demonstrate an ability to calculate age-predicted maximal heart rate (APMHR), heart rate reserve, and target heart rate ranges using APMHR and heart rate reserve methods, and describe limitations of the use of heart rate measures of exercise intensity.

2.28) Demonstrate an ability to administer and interpret basic lung function tests (vital capacity, FEV1, FEV1%, PEFR).

2.29) Demonstrate an ability to administer standard exercise field tests, such as sprints, shuttle runs, and other sport-specific tests.

Area 03) Human growth, development and ageing
Understand how age, gender, culture, socioeconomic status and developmental stages may each influence the individual`s exercise capacity and motivation to participate in regular physical activity; and how physical activity, in turn, may influence growth and development.

03-K) Knowledge

3.01) Describe the concept and measures of growth, maturation and development.

3.02) Describe changes in the neuromuscular, skeletal, cardiorespiratory and endocrine systems that occur throughout the lifespan.

3.03) Describe changes in endurance and anaerobic exercise capacity, coordination and muscular strength, endurance and power, and flexibility that occur throughout the lifespan.

3.04) Describe common musculoskeletal and cardiovascular problems that occur with increasing age and their effects on exercise capacity.

3.05) Describe age-related changes in the acute responses to endurance and resistance exercise.

3.06) Explain how adaptations to various training programs may change throughout the lifespan; for example, the effects of resistance training and aerobic-based training on components of body composition (muscle, bone and fat).

3.07) Explain the extent to which regular exercise through out the lifespan, or exercise at given points during the lifecycle, may modulate changes in the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and endocrine systems seen in the sedentary ageing population.

3.08) Describe the maternal changes of pregnancy and the effects of exercise on the mother and foetus.

03-S) Skills

3.09) Demonstrate an ability to select appropriate fitness tests or modify standard protocols to accommodate children, pregnant women and older adults.

3.10) Demonstrate an ability to select appropriate fitness tests or modify standard protocols to accommodate specific musculoskeletal problems that occur in older individuals.

3.11) Demonstrate an ability to promote and prescribe safe and appropriate physical activity and training (endurance and resistance)programs for children and adolescents.

3.12) Demonstrate an ability to prescribe safe and appropriate training programs for the older individual (with and without musculoskeletal disorders)so that functional independence and wellbeing may be maintained.

Area 04) Exercise, health and disease
Understand the relationships between physical activity, sedentary behaviours and lifestyle-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes mellitus, asthma, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

04-K) Knowledge

4.01) Describe risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases, identifying which are primary, secondary, modifiable and nonmodifiable.

4.02) Describe epidemiological evidence supporting the roles for exercise and physical activity participation in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.

4.03) Describe the specific effects of exercise and physical activity on risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases.

4.04) Describe the dose-response relationships for exercise and physical activity interventions on lifestyle-related outcomes.

4.05) Describe recommended levels for indicators of health, such as blood lipids, blood pressure, blood glucose and body composition.

4.06) Describe the pathophysiological process of atherosclerosis, and possible mechanisms by which exercise may intervene in this process.

4.07) Describe the negative impacts of sedentary behaviours on risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases.

04-S) Skills

4.08) Demonstrate an ability to identify risk factors for metabolic, respiratory, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases that require consultation with a medical practitioner before participating in, or changing, a physical activity program.

4.09) Demonstrate an ability to apply and interpret screening tools to determine the suitability of exercise and physical activity interventions for individuals with lifestyle-related diseases.

Area 05) Health, fitness and performance assessment
Have the ability to perform pre-participation screening, risk appraisal, and exercise and performance assessments.

05-K) Knowledge

5.01) Use published tools to determine whether a given individual requires medical examination before, or medical supervision during, fitness testing.

5.02) Describe absolute and relative contraindications to fitness testing or participation in exercise or physical activity.

5.03) Describe criteria to terminate commonly used fitness tests.

5.04) Explain how fitness test results may be influenced by factors such as subject anxiety, ambient temperature, dehydration or prior exercise.

5.05) Describe the assumptions and limitations of body composition assessment, fitness and performance testing.

5.06) Describe the physiological bases for tests of VO2 max and submaximal estimation of VO2 max, body composition, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility.

5.07) Describe the effects of commonly prescribed medication that may influence the heart rate, blood pressure and electrocardiographic responses to exercise.

5.08) Explain the mechanisms underlying abnormal electrocardiographic responses to exercise of varying duration and intensity.

5-0S) Skills

5.09) Demonstrate an ability to obtain pre-participation screening information and appraise risk using this information.

5.10) Demonstrate a knowledge of, and ability to use, a range of body composition measures to service athletes, apparently healthy and obese individuals.

5.11) Demonstrate an ability to administer and interpret basic physiological tests of exercise capacity and fitness, including assessment of VO2 max thresholds; submaximal estimations of VO2 max; high-intensity exercise capacity; and muscular strength, power, endurance and flexibility.

5.12) Demonstrate an ability to interpret results of each test listed above, comparing results with established norms and reporting these values to the individual tested.

5.13) Demonstrate an ability to calibrate equipment used in exercise physiology, such as gas and lactate analysers and various ergometers.

5.14) Demonstrate an ability to discuss accuracy and limitations of instrumentation in the interpretation of test results.

5.15) Demonstrate an ability to measure heart rate, blood pressure and rating of perceived exertion before, during, and after submaximal fitness tests.

5.16) Demonstrate an ability to use information from fitness tests for designing exercise interventions for a given individual.

5.17) Modify standard or adopt appropriate fitness tests for special groups, such as children, older adults, pregnant women, athletes, or those with diseases or conditions such as osteoarthritis and asthma.

5.18) Demonstrate an ability to obtain a 12-lead ECG recording at rest and during exercise up to maximal, and calculate heart rate from the ECG.

Area 06) Exercise programming and prescription
Have the ability to develop individualised exercise prescriptions.

06-K) Knowledge

6.01) Describe intensity, duration, frequency and type of exercise recommended for health-related benefits in apparently healthy and low-risk individuals.

6.02) Describe the relationship between exercise heart rate, work rate and rating of perceived exertion.

6.03) Describe precautions, modifications and other factors to consider when prescribing exercise programs for symptomatic individuals.

6.04) Describe the different components of, and appropriate exercises to be included in, an exercise program (ie warm-up, conditioning and cool-down phases).

6.05) Explain the different stages of an exercise program (ie initial, improvement and maintenance).

6.06) Describe signs of excessive exercise strain during exercise, which may indicate the need for: -1 a change in the exercise prescription; -2 stopping a given individual during an exercise program.

6.07) Describe common errors in body alignment and movement mechanics during exercise.

6.08) Explain the role of muscular flexibility exercises in exercise prescription.

6.09) Describe the principles of resistance training.

6.10) Using the scientific literature to demonstrate an understanding of current theories relating to endurance and resistance training.

6.11) Describe the advantages and disadvantages of various types of equipment used in circuit and resistance training.

6.12) Describe appropriate work-rest intervals for circuit and interval training programs, emphasising: -1 aerobic conditioning; -2 muscular strength and power; -3 muscular endurance.

06-S) Skills

6.13) Demonstrate an ability to recognise when and where to refer client for further professional advice.

6.14) Demonstrate an ability to use visual analogue scales (eg rating of perceived exercise)to gauge exercise intensity.

6.15) Demonstrate an ability to calculate target heart rate using: -1 heart rate reserve; -2 simple percentage of age-predicted maximum heart rate.

6.16) Demonstrate an ability to monitor heart rate and blood pressure before, during and following exercise.

6.17) Demonstrate an ability to calculate and set work rate on a Monark bike during exercise.

6.18) Demonstrate an ability to write an exercise prescription for apparently healthy and low-risk individual for: -1 loss of excessive body fat; -2 increasing endurance exercise capacity; -3 increasing muscular strength.

6.19) Demonstrate an ability to design and implement a group exercise program in community and gymnasium contexts.

6.20) Demonstrate an ability to design and implement a group exercise program that takes account of various fitness levels.

6.21) Demonstrate an ability to design and implement a group exercise program to improve flexibility.

6.22) Demonstrate an ability to identify improper and unsafe exercises, and prescribe appropriate substitutions for these exercises.

Area 07) Exercise behaviour
An understanding of the many physiological, psychological, social and environmental factors influencing participation and adherence to a physically active lifestyle.

07-K) Knowledge

7.01) Describe the factors that influence and predict exercise adoption and/or involvement in physical activity.

7.02) Describe the factors that influence and predict exercise adherence.

7.03) Describe the research literature on the theories related to improving exercise adherence and sustaining a physically active lifestyle.

7.04) Describe the research literature on effective strategies to increase exercise adoption and adherence.

7.05) Describe the research literature on positive and negative exercise addiction.

7.06) Describe the evidence related to exercise and mental wellbeing of individuals and groups.

07-S) Skills

7.07) Demonstrate an ability to use basic counselling and communication skills to motivate individuals to adopt and adhere to an exercise and physical activity program.

7.08) Demonstrate an ability to use behavioural modification strategies to increase exercise adherence throughout the lifespan.

7.09) Demonstrate an ability to recognise when and how to refer a client for further professional intervention and/or counselling.

Area 08) Nutrition, health and body composition
Have the ability to combine general nutritional principles with exercise advice to increase the effectiveness of their health and wellbeing interventions.

08-K) Knowledge

8.01) Describe the dietary guidelines and the recommended servings of the core food groups recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

8.02) Describe the physiological functions of vitamins and minerals.

8.03) Explain the relationship between energy balance and control of body composition.

8.04) Describe the aetiology of obesity.

8.05) Define obesity and its comorbidities.

8.06) Describe the research literature on the effectiveness of exercise alone, diet alone, and diet and exercise combination in controlling body mass and fat levels and distribution.

8.07) Describe the recommended rate of loss of body mass and understand the potential risks of inappropriate diets and rapid weight loss.

8.08) Explain the relationship between body mass, body fat and fat distribution and risk factors for certain diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

8.09) Describe the blood lipoprotein fractions and the research literature related to the role of diet and exercise in controlling blood lipids.

8.10) Describe the research literature related to the role of diet and exercise in the control of blood pressure, blood glucose and insulin resistance.

8.11) Explain the potential risks and benefits of nutrition supplements and ergogenic aids for athletes.

8.12) Describe the use of appropriate beverages for fluid and carbohydrate maintenance before, during and following exercise.

8.13) Describe the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of commonly used methods for measuring and analysing dietary intake.

8.14) Describe diet-related situations in which referral to an accredited practicing dietician (APD)or medical practitioner is required.

8.15) Be familiar with the Joint Position Statement of ESSA and Dieticians Association of Australia in the context of referrals to an APD.

08-S) Skills

8.16) Demonstrate understanding of how individual daily energy requirements can be approximated, and the limitations of approximation methods.

8.17) Demonstrate an ability to use public health recommendations (eg dietary guidelines)for Australian adults to provide general nutrition advice to promote achieving or maintaining a healthy body weight.

8.18) Demonstrate an understanding of the nutritional, health and psychological risks of common fad or popular diets.

8.19) Demonstrate an ability to calculate body mass index (BMI)and measure waist circumference, and relate these to recommended values for men and women.

8.20) Demonstrate an ability to use BMI, waist circumference, body composition estimates and other indices to determine an appropriate rate of loss of body mass or fat for a given individual.

8.21) Demonstrate an ability to prescribe exercise programs to reduce body mass and fat levels.

8.22) Demonstrate an ability to prescribe resistance exercise programs used to increase resting metabolic rate.

8.23) Demonstrate an understanding of behavioural modification and other strategies to help clients to incorporate and adhere to appropriate strategies that support achieving or maintaining a healthy body mass.

8.24) Demonstrate an ability to conduct anthropometric profiling.

8.25) Demonstrate an understanding of the recommended public health ranges for weight or body fat levels and the associated risks and benefits of diet and weight-loss programs commonly advertised to the community.

Area 09) Motor control/motor learning/skill acquisition.
Understand movement control, movement learning, movement development and movement disorders.

09A) Movement control
The knowledge base in this area includes understanding the neural, physiological and cognitive bases for controlling movement. This unit contains the foundation knowledge upon which the movement learning, development and disorder areas are based.

09A-K) Knowledge

9.01) Describe the principles of action potentials and neural transmission.

9.02) Describe the major divisions of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

9.03) Describe the major efferent and afferent pathways that connect the central and peripheral nervous system.

9.04) Describe the innervation of muscles (efferent and afferent nerves).

9.05) Describe the organisation of muscles based on motor units and fibre type.

9.06) Describe the principles of muscle recruitment - Henneman`s size principle.

9.07) Describe to the factors that determine the mechanical outcomes of muscle activation (eg muscle length, velocity of contraction, contribution of passive elements, muscle history and rate of neural activation).

9.08) Explain the relationship between muscle contraction, force, moment arm and joint torque.

9.09) Describe the patterns of muscle action observed between agonist and antagonist muscle groups during slow and fast movements.

9.10) Explain how uni and biarticular muscles are used to control movement.

9.11) Explain the terms `proprioception` and `kinaesthesis`.

9.12) Describe the major somatosensory receptors for position and movement, the information they convey, and the major pathways that convey this information to the central nervous system.

9.13) Describe the vestibular apparatus and the information it conveys with respect to orientation and balance.

9.14) Describe the principles of posture and balance control.

9.15) Describe the organisation and function of the spinal cord. Use examples of reflexes (knee jerk, flexor withdrawal, cross-extensor reflect)to illustrate excitatory and inhibitory neural connections, and the function of interneurons.

9.16) Describe the organisation and function of the somatosensory and motor cortices.

9.17) Describe the major structural characteristics and functional roles of the cerebellum, basal ganglia and the brain stem in movement control.

9.18) Describe the visual apparatus and neural pathways.

9.19) Describe the major types of eye movements and the control of gaze including the vestibular ocular reflex.

9.20) Describe the neural and behavioural organisation of visually guided reaching movements; that is, how visual information is processed, how a movement is initiated, and how the movement is guided to its target.

9.21) Describe the distinction between open and closed-loop control models.

9.22) Describe and contrast the major theories and laws for simple movements (eg Fitts` law).

9.23) Describe reaction time processes and the informational and situational factors that determine reaction time.

9.24) Describe the neural organisation of locomotion. Include central pattern generators, brainstem areas and spinal cord organisation.

9.25) Explain what is meant by the degrees of freedom problem and the organisational principles of synergies or coordinate of structures.

9A-S) Skills

9.26) Demonstrate an ability to use electromyographic procedures for assessing and quantifying muscle function.

9.27) Demonstrate an ability to measure reaction time.

9.28) Demonstrate an ability to evaluate posture and balance control.

09B) Movement learning
The knowledge base in thisArea includes understanding the neural, physiological and cognitive changes that underpin the acquisition of movement skills.

09B-K) Knowledge

9.29) Describe how movement outcomes are measured. Use spatial and temporal error measures.

9.30) Describe performance curves and their limitations. Include ceiling and floor effects.

9.31) Describe experimental transfer designs and how they are used to assess learning.

9.32) Describe warm-up decrement.

9.33) Describe intra and inter-individual variability of performance.

9.34) Describe the types of learning (eg visual, auditory, tactile), providing examples from movement skill acquisition (eg procedural versus declarative; implicit versus explicit).

9.35) Describe the major processes underlying the short and long-term retention of movement information.

9.36) Describe the cues for the recall and recognition of movement (eg context specificity, distance/location, vision/kinaesthesis).

9.37) Describe characteristics of the major stages that occur when movement skills are learnt.

9.38) Describe changes in attentional processes that occur when movement skills are learnt. Use examples of performance on secondary tasks.

9.39) Describe the perceptual changes that occur with skill learning by contrasting the perceptual skills and strategies of expert and novice performers.

9.40) Describe the decision-making changes that occur with skill learning by contrasting the decision-making skills and strategies of expert and novice performers.

9.41) Describe the electromyographic and kinematic changes that occur with skill acquisition.

9.42) Describe and contrast the principles of specificity and of transfer of movement learning.

9.43) Describe different types of feedback and their impact on movement learning.

9.44) Describe different types of practice (massed versus distributed; blocked versus random; constant versus variable)and their impact on learning.

9.45) Describe different methods of instruction that may be used when teaching motor skills (eg modelling, guidance, trial and error).

09B-S) Skills

9.46) Demonstrate an ability to develop appropriate movement outcome measures to assess performance on any specific movement skill.

9.47) Demonstrate an ability to identify the perceptual, decision-making and motor responses required for a range of motor activities.

9.48) Demonstrate an awareness of methodologies that may be used to measure individual differences in perceiving, deciding and executing, with respect to motor skills.

9.49) Demonstrate an ability how a dual-task methodology could be used to examine the automaticity of skill learning.

9.50) Demonstrate the ability to structure training or practice sessions to maximise learning.

09C) Movement development

09C-K) Knowledge

9.51) Describe the general cephalocaudal and proximodistal principles of development.

9.52) Describe the notions of motor milestones and critical periods.

9.53) Describe the ages and stages involved in the normative development of fundamental motor skills, such as running and throwing.

9.54) Describe the major events in the development of the visual and kinesthetic system.

9.55) Describe primitive, postural and locomotor reflexes.

9.56) Describe the major developmental changes that occur in perception, decision-making and movement execution across the lifespan.

9.57) Describe the major changes in neural control that occur in the elderly.

9.58) Describe the major changes in information processing that occur in the elderly.

09D) Movement disorders

09D-K) Knowledge

9.59) Describe the changes in movement patterns and neural activity that accompany fatigue.

9.60) Describe changes in kinaesthetic sensitivity that can accompany soft tissue injuries.

9.61) Describe motor disorders and their neural origin; for example, apraxia, dysarthria, aphasia, dysmetria, ataxia and dyskinesia.

9.62) Describe the motor deficits that accompany common disorders of the somatosensory system, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and motor cortex (eg developmental coordination disorder, cerebral palsy, Parkinson`s disease, stroke, spinal cord and acquired brain injury).

Area 10) Communication skills.
Have the ability to communicate effectively with clients, mentors and peers.

10-K) Knowledge

10.01) Understand the need to adapt the styles of written, oral and nonverbal communication and the mode of delivery, to the needs of particular groups and individuals in a variety of setting.

10-S) Skills

10.02) Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in written, oral and nonverbal forms; for example, with clients, supervisors, coaches, athletes and peers.

Area 11) Legal and Ethical Competency.
Abide with the charter and spirit of the code of professional conduct and ethical practice of the ESSA.[1]

11-K) Knowledge

11.01) Understand the code of professional conduct and ethical practice.

11-S) Skills

11.02) Be able to apply the code of professional conduct and ethical practice.

11.03) Demonstrate an ability to obtain informed and valid consent from a participant in a fitness program.

11.04) Demonstrate an ability to maintain confidential client records of health status, fitness tests, exercise programming and counselling.

Area 12) Emergency procedures and first aid
Hold current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

12-K) Knowledge

12.01) Describe the medical conditions (complications)and injuries that can arise during submaximal and maximal fitness testing and exercise testing.

12.02) Describe the environmental and procedural risk factors for the occurrence of events described in Criterion 12.1.

12.03) Describe strategies to minimise risk of untoward medical events and injuries occurring during exercise testing.

12.04) Describe emergency and first aid procedures in the event of an emergency within the exercise setting.

12.05) Understand and explain common injuries sustained during physical activity.

12.06) Understand acute haemostatic and inflammatory responses to injury.

12-S) Skills

12.07) Demonstrate an ability to perform basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

12.08) Demonstrate an ability to acutely treat common activity related injuries.

12.09) Demonstrate an ability to assess an exercise facility and equipment for appropriate safety features.

12.10) Describe emergency and first aid items to be kept within the testing and exercise setting.

12.11) Demonstrate an awareness of, and ability to complete, appropriate paperwork in relation to `incident` or `near-miss` reports.

Area 13) Program administration/business management (desirable not essential)
Have knowledge of basic administration and management skills, including planning, decision making, marketing and budgeting skills.

13-K) Knowledge

13.01) Describe the different needs and objectives of personal, corporate, community and commercial health and fitness programs.

13.02) Describe research literature on economic impact of participation in physical activity and cost-effectiveness of community and corporate fitness programs.

13.03) Describe the mechanisms of concept development in commercial, corporate and community programs, including goal statements, market analysis and needs analysis.

13.04) Describe various marketing methods to develop and expand the client base.

13.05) Understand the planning and management processes used in the development of personal, corporate, community and commercial health and fitness programs.

13.06) Describe the process of developing a contractual agreement for consultative work.

13.07) Describe the facility design process.

13.08) Describe the processes of staff recruitment, selection and appraisal, including advertising, interviewing, performance evaluation and termination.

13.09) Understand program evaluation development and processes.

13.10) Understand basic accounting terminology and concepts relevant to health and fitness programs.

13.11) Describe what managing a fitness facility entails.

13-S) Skills

13.12) Demonstrate an ability to develop job or task descriptions for personnel within the health and fitness profession.

13.13) Demonstrate an ability to prepare a budget plan for a corporate or commercial health and fitness centre.

13.14) Demonstrate an ability to develop a financial plan in order to seek financial assistance (eg business loan).

13.15) Demonstrate an ability to develop an annual advertising and promotion schedule.

13.16) Demonstrate an ability to develop a fee structure for services included in health and fitness programs.

13.17) Demonstrate an ability to plan and manage personal, corporate, community and commercial health and fitness programs.