Welcome to special populations and exercise adherence! In this module, you will explore the relationship between exercise and different populations, including elderly clients, adolescents, and those with obesity and other health conditions. You will also develop the skills necessary to research common conditions, learn about exercise risks and benefits, and prescribe a meaningful and appropriate exercise programme to target specific client goals.
You'll learn about the unique challenges that special populations face when trying to adhere to an exercise programme and how exercise can positively impact their quality of life. As a health and fitness coach, you will adopt strategies to critically evaluate a programme and make necessary modifications to enhance client participation, comfort, and goal achievement. You will understand how to design and implement exercise programmes that are safe, effective, and enjoyable for special populations.
On completion of this module, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who face unique barriers to exercise. So, let's dive in and discover more about the role you play when coaching special populations to enable exercise adherence.
We’ll cover:
- Exercise risks and benefits
- Collaboration and referral
- Common conditions
- Programme modification
- Exercise adherence
The fine print
This module relates to Graduate Profile Outcomes (GPO):
- GPO 3 Adapt programmes for apparently healthy people and common at risk groups using exercise science and testing.
- GPO 4 Apply motivational and communication techniques to enhance individual participant commitment to a personalised exercise programme.
It supports Learning Outcomes (LO):
- 3.1 Apply industry recognised pre-screening tools such as Exercise New Zealand endorsed pre-screen or equivalent and exercise adherence strategies to ensure safe and effective outcomes for clients.
- 3.2 Apply the use of measurement tools and assessment documentation relevant to an individual client’s programme goals.
- 3.3 Modify an exercise programme and apply relevant progression, regression and appropriate modification parameters for common conditions that could include obesity, arthritis, diabetes, pregnancy or age specific individuals, groups or communities.
- 3.4 Review and update exercise plans or programmes.
- 4.1 Monitor progress of client and apply appropriate intervention strategies for continued involvement in programme.
- 4.2 Developing strategies to support and optimise clients performance.
To ensure a smooth learning experience, we suggest starting this module at specific weeks.
Full-time students
We recommend starting the module in week 9.
- Hours of learning per week: Approximately 37.5 hours
This includes 12.5 hours of self-directed fitness-based practical each week, time for assessments, self-directed study, note-taking, and completing the content on the NZIS online campus. - Milestones: Special Populations Client Sign-Off due end of week 10, Special Populations Case Study Assessment due end of week 15.
Part-time students
We recommend starting the module in week 17.
- Hours of learning per week: Approximately 20 hours
This includes 5 hours of self-directed fitness-based practical each week, time for assessments, self-directed study, note-taking, and completing the content on the NZIS online campus. - Milestones: Special Populations Client Sign-Off due end of week 20, Special Populations Case Study Assessment due end of week 30.
Assessment
There is one assessment for this module, but you must also complete a client sign-off.
- Special Populations Client Sign-Off
- Special Populations Case Study
You need to submit a brief description of your special populations client to your tutor for sign-off before starting task 1 of the assessment. The Special Populations Case Study requires you to work with a client for at least 11 sessions.
Plan and start early. You should watch the assessment video now and read the assessment in full to understand all requirements.
You can expect to work on your assessment for a minimum of 5 weeks. You can start the next module before submitting your Special Populations Case Study Assessment.
This module has a lot of practical and scenario-based activities. Use these activities to build on your knowledge and skills as you learn to work with special populations. The activities within this module will prepare you for your future career and give you confidence in becoming a competent personal trainer.
Interactive activities, like multiple-choice quizzes, flashcards, and drag-and-drops give you instant feedback.
- Check your understanding – are you ready to progress or do you need to re-read or re-watch?
- Apply what you’ve learnt to a common scenario.
- Cement learning – practice makes perfect.
- Take a break from scrolling and get your mind active.
- These activities are unassessed, and you can have as many attempts as you want.
Note: Though the learning activities are not assessed, they are strongly recommended. They will set you up for success in your learning and assessment.
Network
You will be introduced to various special population groups and the organisations that support these groups in this module. This is a great opportunity to build your professional network.
Remember to network with fellow students and tutors. Engage with forum posts, live sessions, and group messaging. You never know who might know about job vacancies or can recommend clients!
Watch
Isabel completed the PT Level 4 course in 2022. In this video, she talks about what motivates her and the connection she observes between physical and mental wellbeing.
Let's check how much you already know about special populations and exercise adherence.
Is there an area that you are already feeling confident with? How about a topic you may need to allow for extra study time?
