UNIT TITLE: Exercise Programming for Older Adults
CREDIT POINTS:20UNIT CODE: HES016
FHEQ LEVEL:5DELIVERING FACULTY: FBSE
UNIT DESIGNATION: TraditionalSchool: Health, Exercise & Social Science
Date validated: June 2010Date last modified:December 2013
Unit delivery model: PC
Max & Min Student No.: N/A
TOTAL STUDENT WORKLOAD
Students are required to attend and participate in all the formal timetabled sessions for the unit. Students are also expected to manage their directed learning and independent study in support of the unit.
Where normal timetabled sessions do not take place, additional directed learning may be provided, and/or students are expected to undertake additional independent learning.
PREREQUISITES AND CO-REQUISITES
REPs Level 2 Gym Instructor or equivalent.
UNIT DESCRIPTION
The unit will expand and develop the exercise and fitness knowledge gained at Level 4. It will further develop and refine the knowledge and skills required of a specialist instructor working with older people (50+). Students will learn about the effects of ageing on physiology and anatomy. In addition they will learn about specific common conditions and diseases found among older people. However, it should be noted that this unit only covers working with apparently healthy older adults or those with low risk non-referred medical conditions. Exercise programmes will reflect the individual needs of clients and consider different environments for exercise e.g. home, workplace, outdoor, gyms, etc. The programme will also aim to develop the functional needs of the client and incorporate activities of daily living (ADL).
The practical aspect of the unit will provide opportunities for students to apply theoretical concepts to real-life and/or case study situations. Students will also be encouraged to question the appropriateness and effectiveness of different methods of training based on the latest evidence-based research.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
K1 Articulate key facts and important information about demographics and the physiology of ageing relevant to exercise programming and management
K2Recognise and appraise a range of low risk medical conditions common amongst older adults
Cognitive Skills
C1 Interpret appropriate evidence-based research and patient data to devise short, medium and long-term exercise programmes
Practical and Professional Skills
P1 Plan, deliver and evaluate a tailored adapted exercise programme for an older adult
Transferable and Key Skills
T1Employ effective interpersonal and communication skills
AREAS OF STUDY
- Demographics and theories of ageing
- The anatomical and physiological changes in the ageing process
- The psychological and socio-cultural aspects of physical activity and ageing
- Low risk medical conditions commonly found among older adults
- The principles of adapted physical exercise and activity and advanced teaching and instructional skills development
- Exercises associated with functional training related to activities of daily living (ADL)
- Design of exercise programmes and management for older adults including adults with low risk non-referred medical conditions including risk analysis and client safety, screening, assessment and goal setting
LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY
The unit will be delivered via a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical workshops. The lectures will cover the main areas of demographics, anatomy and physiology, low risk medical conditions commonly found among older adults and the relationship with exercise. The seminars will allow students the opportunity to explore the lecture material and its application in devising and adapting tailored exercise programmes. Tutorials will allow students to discuss their work individually and/or in small groups to facilitate formative assessment and feedback. Practical workshops will provide opportunities for students to put theory into practise, develop a range of adaptive exercises across different fitness components and intensities and to evaluate their effectiveness.
ASSESSMENT STRATEGY
Students will be assessed in two ways:
AE1The case study will allow students the opportunity to interview a client and design a comprehensive long-term physical activity programme for them based on their needs and wants, including how they would adapt the programme for a range of different medical conditions common for older adults.
AE2: The practical assessment will provide students with the opportunity to prove their competence in delivering an adapted physical activity programme for an older adult that includes appropriate warm-up, cardiovascular, muscular strength and endurance, core stability and flexibility components. Formative feedback will be provided throughout all practical sessions leading up to the practical assessment to ensure students are delivering safe and effective programmes. It is likely that students may be working in pairs with each older adult, although each will be assigned an individual mark based on their contribution to the session.
ASSESSMENT
AE1weighting:50%
assessment type:Case Study
length3000 words (excluding lesson plans)
On-line submission:Yes
Grade Marking:Yes
Anonymous marking:No*
AE2weighting:50%
assessment type:Practical
duration:40 minsmax per student/pair
On-line submission:No
Grade Marking:No
Anonymous marking:No
*Anonymous marking: the case study - the client and student combination will be known to the assessors.
Aggregation of marks
The marks for all elements of assessment will be aggregated.
Re-assessment Arrangements
AE1: Re-sit work will follow the same pattern as above. Please note that students will need to find their own older adult client on whom to base the case study.
AE2: The practical resit will involve the delivery of a one-off session to an appropriate older adult. Please note that students will need to find their own older adult client for the practical exam.
This unit has been approved by SkillsActive under the Specialist Instructor Qualification, D467 ‘Adapt a physical activity programme to the needs of older adults’, for those students who have gained the relevant Level 3 knowledge and practical qualifications. A separate set of minimum pass marks and attendance levels need to be achieved for any students who wish to gain entry to the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) to ensure students have met the requirements of the National Occupational Standards in Exercise and Fitness. Students are advised of these additional requirements via their unit guide.
Unit Author: Glynis Young(amended by Martin Skivington)
Date of version:January 2014