Unit rationale, description and aim
As exercise and sport scientists, the ability to engage and motivate a wide range of individuals through innovative and evidence-based practices is critical to success within the profession. This has become increasingly important with decreases in physical activity within Australia and subsequent increases to the risk of disease burden. This unit will introduce students to the broad scope of practice for accredited exercise scientists whilst providing students with the core knowledge of evidence-based practice, key communication skills, motivational interviewing, behaviour change and group organisation and leadership. These concepts will be applied across a variety of practical activities as students are introduced to key sub-disciplines of exercise science. The aim of this unit is to to provide students with the communication skills and understanding of the requirements of designing a person-centred approach to service delivery taking into consideration each individual’s abilities and needs including their sociocultural background, spiritual beliefs and other needs.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Describe the scope of practice, ethical responsibi...
Learning Outcome 01
Interpret scientific research to support evidence-...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply behaviour change techniques and appropriate ...
Learning Outcome 03
Demonstrate culturally responsive interpersonal co...
Learning Outcome 04
Deliver safe, inclusive, and engaging group-based ...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
- Introduction to the profession of exercise science, scope of practice, and industry standards
- Ethics, cultural safety, and inclusive practice in health and exercise settings
- Foundations of evidence-based practice, including research literacy and research ethics
- Behaviour change theories and motivational strategies for engaging clients
- Communication and coaching fundamentals for individual and group contexts
- Foundational resistance training principles and basic movement coaching
- Screening, exercise prescription, and modifying sessions for diverse needs
- Planning and delivering safe, inclusive, and engaging group-based exercise sessions
- Developing professionalism through peer coaching, feedback, and reflection
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessments in this unit are designed to progressively build knowledge and align with the learning outcomes of the unit. They form a developmental sequence to guide learning and contribute to the achievement of ACU’s graduate capabilities. An early Assessment task 1 quiz verifies students’ understanding of exercise-science scope of practice, ethics and safe service delivery. Assessment task 2 - written work requires critical appraisal of exercise programming and the integration of credible research, fostering scholarly decision-making and inclusive design. In Assessment task 3, students then apply behaviour-change theory and demonstrate effective, culturally safe communication. Learning culminates in Assessment Task 4- a supervised practical task, where students plan and deliver an engaging group exercise session that evidences ethical practice, behaviour-change techniques and responsive programming for diverse participants. The sequencing promotes timely feedback, progressive skill development and authentic demonstration of the professional expectations of an Accredited Exercise Scientist. Together, these assessments support the student's development as a people-centred practitioner and contributes to their progress toward ACU graduate capabilities.
Overview of assessments
To successfully pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of all learning outcomes and achieve a minimum overall mark of 50% in the graded assessments.
Assessment Task 1 Quiz Assesses key concepts r...
Assessment Task 1
Quiz
Assesses key concepts related to exercise science scope of practice and its ethical and safe delivery
10%
Assessment Task 2 Written Assessment Assesses ...
Assessment Task 2
Written Assessment
Assesses ability to integrate unit content and credibly sourced information to critique exercise sessions/programs
20%
Assessment Task 3 Written Assessment Assesses u...
Assessment Task 3
Written Assessment
Assesses understanding of key motivational and behavioural change strategies in practice
30%
Assessment Task 4 Practical Assessment Assesses...
Assessment Task 4
Practical Assessment
Assesses application of key exercise science and motivational skills in delivery of an inclusive evidence-based practical activity
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit will introduce students to the foundational knowledge and skills required to deliver a people-centred approach to service delivery as future exercise and sport scientists. This is achieved through a total of 150 hours of focused learning that incorporates a blended mode of delivery with self-directed online learning and in-person, learner-centred tutorials. Using a flipped classroom model, students are encouraged to drive their own learning and engage with the online learning materials including short lecture videos and a variety of engaging activities designed to help students better understand the material and also to help them prepare for the assessments. The online materials have also been constructed so that students can begin to reflect on what exercise and sport science is and to introduce them to contemporary ways of thinking about the discipline. The in-person tutorials will then serve as a safe environment for students to work with their peers to put these contemporary ideas into practice. This includes hands-on and guided activities that incorporate ideas of some key sub-disciplines of exercise and sport science from the ‘real-world’ to help in preparing for the assessments.