22779 Plan and Teach a Deep Water Aquafitness Class

Explanatory notes

1Definitions

Exercise Technique is how an exercise task is done including the form the body takes when doing that exercise.

Choreography refers to how a series of exercises are performed and linked together to create an exercise routine.

2Deep water aquafitness movements must be assessed during classes in water depth of more than 1.8m or a depth where no participants are able to touch the bottom of the pool.

3When assessing this unit standard, and where the candidate has previously achieved Unit 22278, Plan and teach a chest deep aquafitness class, the assessor, at their discretion, may wish to use that unit standard as evidence for outcomes 1, 2 and 4.

4Assessment of this unit standard must occur in a body of water that is supervised by a currently qualified pool lifeguard (holding the National Pool Lifeguard Award).

5The candidate must be assessed instructing a class of at least five participants.

Outcomes and evidence requirements

Outcome 1

Demonstrate knowledge of aquatic exercise environments, their benefits and limitations.

Evidence requirements

1.1The physical properties of water as an exercise medium are described in terms of resistance, buoyancy, relative density, and hydrostatic pressure.

1.2The physiological and biomechanical effects of immersion in water are described in terms of heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, heat conductance, and energy expenditure.

1.3Methods for modifying the body’s resistance in water are explained using examples.

Rangeinertia, acceleration, speed, lever length, range of motion, surface area presented to water (such as hand position), travelling, current generation and use.

1.4The benefits and limitations of water-based exercise versus land-based exercise are explained in terms of impact, muscle balance, energy expenditure, movement speed/control, range of motion, muscle soreness, strength development, endurance, posture, and barriers to effective instruction.

1.5The roles and responsibilities of pool owners and management, participants, aqua fitness instructors, pool lifeguards, and pool maintenance staff are described.

Rangemust include but is not limited to – lifeguard responsibilities (for example hazard identification, supervision, rescues), owners and management responsibilities (for example level of supervision and patrol, hazard management), pool maintenance staff responsibilities (hazard identification, hazard management, water quality testing), aqua fitness instructors responsibilities (for example class management – pre-screen, participant monitoring and instruction).

1.6Methods with which to screen participants and contra-indications to look for are described.

Rangewritten pre-exercise screen, verbal pre-exercise screen.

Outcome 2

Describe the basic exercise techniques, and related equipment, exercise progressions, and stretching used in deep water aquafitness classes.

Rangeexercise techniques must include – aqua jogging and at least three of the following; cross country skier with opposing arms, rockclimber, jumping Jills, vertical flutter kick with sculling arms, oblique slalom.

Evidence requirements

2.1The equipment used in deep water aquafitness classes is described in terms of its purpose, application, safety, maintenance and storage.

2.2The exercise techniques used in deep water aquafitness classes are described in terms of the muscle groups used, the exercise purpose, and key technique points.

2.3Exercise progressions are described for each of the exercise techniques described in 2.2.

Rangemust include at least two exercise progressions for each exercise technique from the following methods – speed, travelling, resistance, complexity.

2.4Stretches and stretching movements used in deep water aquafitness classes are described in terms of their purpose, execution and application.

Rangestretches or stretching movements must include but is not limited to movements for the following – quadriceps, hip flexors, hamstrings, chest and upper back.

Outcome 3

Design a deep water aquafitness class.

Evidence requirements

3.1The purpose of the class is defined in terms of the expected participants, conditioning goal and level.

3.2The overall class structure, class components and sequence of those components, and safety considerations are described in a class plan.

Rangeclass components covered must include – warm-up, conditioning components, cool down.

3.3The music for the class is described in a class plan in terms of type, volume, speed, safety, and suitability for the expected participants.

3.4The exercise techniques for the class are described in a class plan in terms of intensity, duration, alternatives (beginner, intermediate and advanced options), and suitability for the expected participants.

3.5For each component of the class, the choreographic progressions to be used are recorded in the class plan.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – linear progression, travelling, organised action, movement transitions.

3.6The verbal and non-verbal cues to be used for each component of the class are described in the class plan.

Outcome 4

Prepare to teach a safe and effective deep water aquafitness class.

Evidence requirements

4.1Preparation ensures instructor’s and participants’ safety.

Rangesupervision by a currently qualified pool lifeguard (holding the National Pool Lifeguard Award) is available; contingency plans for accidents and emergencies described; limitations of instructor’s role explained (particularly with regards to rescues and conducting classes without lifeguard patrol available); instructor’s footwear, clothing, and fluid requirements described; understanding of class purpose and participants’ skill and fitness levels described; understanding of class demands and instructor’s fitness and skill level described; class set up to minimise voice load; equipment and environment prepared; safety check carried out.

4.2Preparation allows for effective teaching of a deep water aquafitness class.

Rangemust include but is not limited to – instructor presentation appropriate for the purpose of the class and audience, contingency planning for class interruptions described, instructor’s fitness and skill level required to instruct effectively is described, the participants’ skill and fitness level required to take part effectively is described, understanding of instructor’s role within the class setting is described;

may include – music preparation and use, contingency plan for audio or equipment failure.

Outcome 5

Teach a planned deep water aquafitness class.

Evidence requirements

5.1Participants are welcomed and given initial instructions to enable participants to safely and effectively begin the class.

Rangemust include but is not limited to – general welcome (to new participants and all participants), introduction (instructor name, class type), explanation (class purpose, duration and format), pool specific instructions (safety and emergency exits), providing and fitting buoyancy belts to each participant (as required).

5.2Effective verbal instruction is applied to enable participants to safely and effectively complete the class.

Rangevoice projection, tone, pace and pitch, explanations, questioning, cueing (including giving instructions, directions, corrections and positive feedback).

5.3Effective non-verbal instruction is applied to enable participants to safely and effectively complete the class.

Rangepositive body language, instructor positioning, instructor actions (directive gestures of face, hands or body), instructor technique (form and speed of movements instructed).

5.4Deep water aquafitness exercise techniques are demonstrated to enable participants to safely and effectively complete the class.

Rangetechniques include physical execution, flow of movement, tempo;

techniques demonstrated must include – aqua jogging and at least three of the following:cross country skier with opposing arms, rockclimber, jumping Jills, vertical flutter kick with sculling arms, oblique slalom.

5.5Class is delivered in accordance with class plan.

Rangepre-screen, warm-up, cool down, post exercise stretch, exercise changes, intensities, duration of phases, sequencing of exercises and choreography.

5.6Instructor responds during class to ensure safety, class purpose and participant needs are met.

Rangeinstructor may respond to own needs (own voice, fatigue, fluid intake, technique), class participants and their reactions (effort, motivation, skill, enjoyment, safety, technique), and environment (music, temperature, humidity, hazards);

responses may include but are not limited to – actions taken, adjustment of instruction (change in verbal or non-verbal cueing), adjustment of environment.

5.7Instructor closes session in accordance with the class plan.

Rangemust include – gaining participants’ attention, asking for feedback from participants, offering the opportunity for participants to ask questions, thanking and farewelling participants, checking equipment for damage and returning equipment to pre-class condition;

may include – giving reminders.

This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

This CMR can be accessed at

Please note

Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.