SAQA

All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Diploma: Exercise Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
36194	Diploma: Exercise Science
ORIGINATOR
Health and Fitness Training College t/a Health and Fitness Professionals Association
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Advanced Certificate	Field 02 - Culture and Arts		Sport
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	247	Level 5	Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L5	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2018-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31		2023-12-31

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The qualifying learner will design, implement and manage a physical activity/fitness programme for apparently healthy persons as individuals or in groups. This will include apparently healthy special populations. In the process the learner will be able to screen, assess, monitor and manage health related fitness programmes without direct supervision. This will take place by means of safe and effective participation in physical activity, promoted by the qualified learner. This will include advice on lifestyle change for improved well being. The learner will have the competencies for appropriate referral to other health care providers. The qualification will also enable the learner to further his/her own career within the fitness industry which links to other related issues.

Rationale:

Exercise science with emphasis on professional fitness practices are crucial in the physical development of human beings through various development stages and the industry needs qualified practitioners to apply exercise principles in an accountable way to enhance the general well being and fitness levels of clients.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that the learner wishing to enter a programme leading to this qualification will have NQF Level 5 certificate or the equivalent thereof, together with a valid First Aid qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Learners who believe they have all the competencies identified above should apply for RPL from an accredited assessor of this qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

N/A

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The learner must be able to explain the basic principles involved in injury free training and demonstrate competence in delivering and managing sport programmes for the athlete.

In addition to having a thorough knowledge of the structure and function of the body systems, learners must demonstrate an understanding of the physiological responses and adaptations of the different systems of the body to various types of training.

The learner must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of nutritional principles, provide basic nutritional advice to clients, and be able to advise clients of nutritional requirements.

The learner must exhibit an understanding of the biomechanics of different types of training and the physiological adaptations related to each.

The learner must demonstrate the ability to plan, develop, deliver mange and assess a physical conditioning programme to achieve identified goals. The learner must demonstrate the ability to manage deliver and assess programmes for clients with special needs, working with a range of clients including antenatal and postnatal women, older adults, clients with impairments and disabilities.

The learner must demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain relationships, which support the training process.

The learner must be able to discuss the links between physical activity and psychological; well being and stress as well as demonstrate an understanding of the physiological factors which influence exercise adherence and athletic performance.

The learner must show competence in the organization and administration of the strength and conditioning facility and demonstrate knowledge of legal issues and insurance requirements pertaining to activities within this field of the industry.

The learner must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of test selection and administration, plan for the implementation of tests accepted as current practice for the relevant activity and conduct a battery of tests which are meaningful, appropriate and relevant to the needs/goals of the client. The learner must demonstrate the ability to use the test results as a basis for setting goals.

The learner must understand and describe the role of the fitness practitioner in injury rehabilitation and reconditioning of injured athletes as well as operate within a referral system, which includes other specialists.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Theory: minimum 65%

Practical: minimum 70%

Research portfolio: minimum 65%

Thesis: minimum 65%

Case Studies: minimum 65%

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification has been benchmarked against fitness qualification frameworks from various countries and matches, if not betters the courses offered in these countries. Comparison of standards of courses offered in the UK and NZ and Australia are available, unit standards in both Australia and NZ have been changing, the diploma compares more than favourably to similar courses in the UK, NZ and Australia, in all cases the HFPA standards are higher. All courses internationally vary from 6 months to a year as does the certificate and diploma courses offered by HFPA.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification provides articulation with a range of qualifications in sport coaching, sport science and sport management.

Vertical articulation: certificate holders can obtain the diploma, diploma holders can be considered for undergraduate degrees in HMS according to RPL at most universities that offer HMS.

Horizontal articulation: certificate and diploma holders can obtain further qualifications at NQF level 5, such as fitness instructor (aerobics, spinning, water aerobics) as well as similar NQF level management courses, which will widen their areas of expertise.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Moderation is done by a registered moderator, who has obtained a relevant post graduate degree in sport science/biokinetics or similar qualification. This moderator is overseen by the relevant ETQA in this case the HEQC.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

NOTES

Language:

English unless otherwise required, we have access to Multi language facilitators

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

NONE