Advanced Certificate in Fitness in Sport Conditioning

Purpose

Achieving this Advanced Certificate in Fitness in Sport Conditioning provides learners with the knowledge and skills needed to specialise in professional practice for sport conditioning. 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 for specialisation as a sport conditioner. A qualifying learner who will be able to:

• Screen, assess, and fitness test for sport performance.
• Design and periodise safe and effective sport performance programmes.
• Implement and manage safe and effective sport condition and/or performance-based exercise programmes. Demonstrate knowledge of health and safety standards and professional scopes of practice.

Rationale

The Advanced Certificate in Fitness in Sport Conditioning responds 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 comparisons 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 Sport Conditioning Coach. Thus it addresses the increasing need for specialisation 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:

• Ensure that the professional practices of sport conditioners adhere to current principles of exercise science.
• Develop the appropriate knowledge and skills for professional practice in sport and fitness.
• 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.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Advanced Certificate in Fitness in Sport Conditioning, NQF Level 6, may be achieved in part or wholly through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as long as a learner is able to demonstrate the necessary reflexive knowledge, skills, values and attitudes embedded in the qualification. Demonstration of competence must be supported by evidence which meets the evaluative criteria of the qualification as well as the assessment principles of validity, currency, reliability and fairness.

Current competence with its underpinning theoretical knowledge and its applied skills can be assessed according to the institutional evidence requirements for RPL assessment. Candidates must meet the institutional RPL policy requirements which can include but are not limited to previous academic achievements and direct evidence of knowledge and skills that meet the RPL assessment criteria for this qualification.

Candidates applying for RPL to this qualification must hold a relevant Higher Certificate in Fitness or a cognate and associated field.

Entry Requirements

Learners are required to have the following qualifications in order to be considered for admission

• NQF Level 5 or a cognate qualification at the same level or related fields.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 6, totalling 120 Credits.

• Sport and Exercise Science, 15 Credits.
• Sport Screening and Testing, 15 Credits.
• Sport Training, 45 Credits.
• Sport Injuries and Health Management, 10 Credits.
• Sport Nutrition, 10 Credits.
• Sport Psychology, 10 Credits.
• Capstone Project, 15 Credits.

1. Screen, assess, and fitness test for sport performance.
2. Design and implement periodic safe and effective sport performance programmes.
3. Implement and manage safe and effective sport condition and/or performance-based exercise programmes.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of health and safety standards and professional scopes of practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Screening is implemented to identify risks and sport performance needs and goals.
• Field-based and facility-based testing is conducted to determine sport performance readiness and identify training requirements.
• Nutritional guidelines are provided in terms of performance nutrition, cryogenic aids and banned substances and their effects on performance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Current knowledge of exercise physiology which informs sport conditioning programmes and training methods is demonstrated.
• An analysis of sport activities to determine safe and effective conditioning programmes is conducted.
• Anatomical and biomechanical principles of movement to sport conditioning programmes are applied.
• Training and design conditioning programmes which comply with current principles of sport science are implemented periodically.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• A sport conditioning programme for sports participants is planned, developed and managed.
• Specific modes of training that are appropriate for the athlete are identified.
• The correct skill and technique of an exercise to ensure optimal performance while reducing the risk of injury is instructed and taught.
• The effectiveness of a programme is monitored by assessing relevant physiological variables to determine programme changes.
• The load of the athlete to ensure over training does not occur is monitored.
• The current knowledge of sport psychology principles to support sport performance and to lead and motivate compliance is used.
• Relevant motivation principles to the leadership of sport conditioning programmes are applied.
• Effective communication skills in the instruction of conditioning sessions are used.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Knowledge of current environmental safety standards and safe exercise programmes is demonstrated.
• Sport programmes which manage risk and prevent sport injuries are designed.
• Appropriate professional referrals where relevant and in the context of participants' special needs and goals are provided.
• Knowledge of professional practice through relevant screening, assessment and programming that complies with scopes of professional practice is demonstrated.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment at the level of qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas, and actions to achieve knowledge and skills that are coherent to the purpose of the qualification. Integrated assessment judges the quality of the observable performance and the quality of the critical thinking and problem solving that underpins the performance.

Formative assessment includes a range of tasks which ensure that learners demonstrate their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in sport conditioning. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the modules within the qualification.

Knowledge is assessed through ongoing class tests, semester exams and assignments. Practical skills are demonstrated through practical projects, demonstrations, skill tests, and simulations. Learners demonstrate sport and exercise conditioning skills, using relevant equipment and demonstrating appropriate skills of the training modality being taught. Projects show how learners work with participants or athletes, preparing sport conditioning programmes; monitoring and adapting programmes according to the needs of participants/athletes.

Experiential learning

Learners are placed in training facilities, with schools or sport clubs and have to achieve certain theoretical knowledge and skill-based outcomes. Log books are provided which indicate the competencies and the evidence requirements for specific knowledge and skills which are confirmed in collaboration with workplace supervisors.