Inherent requirements for exercise physiology and exercise science programs

Our clinical exercise physiology and exercise science programs have inherent requirements you must meet to be able to graduate.

Inherent requirements are core activities, tasks or skills that are essential to a program or course. They apply to the following programs:

Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours)
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences (Honours)

What you need to do

If you plan to apply for one of these programs, carefully read through the inherent requirements.

If you think you may experience any problems meeting them, contact a Student Adviser to discuss your needs and whether any reasonable adjustments can be made.

Learn more about inherent requirements at UQ

Inherent requirements should be read in conjunction with other information, including the program rules and Exercise and Sports Science Australia publications, such as:

Exercise and Sports Science Australia Professional Standards

Ethical behaviour

Context	Exercise physiology and exercise science services are governed by competency standards, codes of ethics, professional conduct and professional boundaries where exercise physiologists and exercise scientists are both accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in all contexts.
What you need to demonstrate	Student demonstrates knowledge of and engages in ethical behaviour in practice.
Why this is required	Compliance with the codes, guidelines and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the people and services they engage with. This ensures the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of any individual is not placed at risk.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must ensure the standards, codes, guidelines, and policies are not compromised or result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Complying with requirements relating to informed consent, privacy and confidentiality with client information in academic and clinical settings. Demonstrating the ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and take responsibility for ensuring awareness of ethical behaviour.

Behavioural stability

Context	Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in a demanding role.
What you need to demonstrate	Consistent and appropriate awareness and control of own behaviours and emotions and their potential impact on others.
Why this is required	Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in changing, challenging, stressful and unpredictable environments. Exercise Physiology students will be exposed to emergency situations and challenging/stressful or potentially traumatic environments and will be required to have behavioural stability to manage these events.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must support stable, effective and professional behaviour in all course related activities. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Responding appropriately and professionally to stressful situations, issues and constructive feedback. Managing own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with culturally and socially diverse groups in the clinical setting.

Legal

Context	Exercise physiology and exercise science practice is mandated by specific legislation and regulatory requirements and standards to enable the safe delivery of exercise services.
What you need to demonstrate	Knowledge and compliance with Australian law and professional regulation and scope of practice.
Why this is required	Knowledge, understanding and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements and standards are necessary pre-requisites to clinical placements, to reduce the risk of harm to self and others. Compliance with these laws and regulations ensures that students are both responsible and accountable for their practice.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must be consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Complying with relevant child protection and safety legislation. Complying with university and placement facility requirements (e.g immunisation) for safe placement.

Communication

Verbal

Context	Effective verbal communication, in English, is an essential requirement to provide safe delivery of exercise physiology and exercise science services.
What you need to demonstrate	Sensitivity and respect towards people of different gender, ability, sexuality and age, and from diverse religious, socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds. The ability to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner. The ability to provide clear and audible instructions in the context of the situation.
Why this is required	Communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy to others develops trusting relationships. Communication may be restricted to verbal because of limitations of the individual (e.g. injury, disease or congenital conditions). Timely, accurate and effective delivery of instructions is critical to individual safety, treatment and management. Speed and interactivity of communication may be critical for individual safety or treatment.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy issues to ensure appropriate treatment and management. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Provide clear verbal instructions to direct clients to perform physical activity. Establishing rapport with clients during exercise physiology management and responding appropriately to requests from patients, supervisors and other health professionals in the clinical setting.

Non-verbal

Context	Effective non-verbal communication is fundamental to exercise physiology and exercise science and needs to be respectful, clear, attentive, empathetic, honest and non-judgmental.
What you need to demonstrate	Sensitivity and respect towards individual of different gender, ability, sexuality and age, and from diverse religious, socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds. The capacity to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to behavioural cues. Consistent and appropriate awareness of own behaviours, and the ability to modify these where the situation requires. The ability to maintain appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, posture and personal space.
Why this is required	The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues assists with building rapport with people and gaining their trust and respect in academic and professional relationships. Displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries and body movements and gestures promotes trust in academic and professional relationships. Being sensitive to individual differences displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships. The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues is essential for safe and effective observation of patient symptoms and reactions to facilitate the assessment and treatment of patients. Timely, accurate and effective delivery of instructions is critical to individual safety, treatment and management.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must enable the recognition, initiation of or appropriate response to effective nonverbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Recognising and responding appropriately in classroom situations inside and outside the University.  Recognising and responding appropriately to cues in the clinical environment. e.g. client pain or distress.

Written

Context	Effective and efficient written communication, in English, is a fundamental exercise physiology and exercise science service responsibility with professional and legal ramifications.
What you need to demonstrate	Student demonstrates capacity to construct coherent written communication appropriate to circumstances.
Why this is required	Comprehension of a range of information relevant to an academic/professional environment is critical for the study of exercise physiology and exercise science. Communicating with respect and empathy for others develops trusting relationships. Construction of written text-based assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards are necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter for professional practice. Accurate written communication, including record-keeping and patient notes, is vital to provide consistent and safe patient care.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective recording and transmission of information in both academic and clinical settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Constructing an essay to academic standards. Constructing an individualised exercise program in a timely manner that meets professional standards.

Cognition

Knowledge acquisition and cognitive ability

Context	Consistent and effective knowledge and cognitive skills must be demonstrated to provide safe and competent exercise physiology and exercise science services.
What you need to demonstrate	The capacity to locate and organise appropriate and relevant information. The ability to process information relevant to practice. The ability to integrate and implement knowledge in practice. The ability to engage in scientific, clinical, rational and ethical reasoning specific to the field.
Why this is required	Safe, appropriate and effective delivery of exercise services is based on comprehensive knowledge that must be sourced, understood and applied appropriately. The ability to reason is fundamental to prescribing a safe and effective, individualised exercise program. Timely, accurate and effective delivery of instructions is critical to individual safety, treatment and management.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Ability to conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items. Appropriately applying knowledge and clinical reasoning in the clinical setting.

Literacy (Language)

Context	Competent literacy skills are essential to provide safe and effective delivery of exercise services.
What you need to demonstrate	The ability to accurately acquire information and convey appropriate, effective messages. The ability to read, comprehend and synthesize a range of literature and information. The capacity to understand and implement academic conventions to construct written text in a scholarly manner.
Why this is required	The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey messages is fundamental to ensure safe and effective assessment, treatment and delivery of exercise services. The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for safe and effective delivery of exercise services.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Actively listen to information in course-related situations e.g. in class, on placement. Produce accurate, concise, clear and appropriate documentation in course-related situations e.g. report on community engagement activity, report for organisation related to placement.

Numeracy

Context	Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential for safe and effective exercise services.
What you need to demonstrate	The ability to interpret and correctly apply data, measurements and numerical criteria. Accuracy undertaking arithmetic calculations. Accuracy interpreting electronic numerical data from exercise testing equipment.
Why this is required	Competent application of numeracy skills is essential in exercise physiology and exercise science to facilitate the safe and effective delivery of exercise services.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to interpret and apply concepts and processes appropriately in a timely, accurate and effective manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Interpret client assessment data such as exercise intensity based on heart rate, oxygen levels and other techniques. Interpret electronic numerical data from exercise testing equipment (e.g. 12-lead ECG, spirometers, blood pressure sphygmomanometers, pulse oximeters, BMI).

Reflective skills

Context	Exercise physiology and exercise science practice requires self-awareness and a capacity for reflection in order to consider the effect of one's own actions, values and behaviours in practice.
What you need to demonstrate	The ability to accurately reflect on your professional performance. The ability to accept feedback on your academic and professional practice and respond constructively.
Why this is required	Working with clients while on professional experience and understanding and responding to them requires well developed understanding of oneself and the ability to effectively manage one's reactions to situations that may arise. Reflective practice is considered standard practice in exercise physiology and exercise science where individuals are able to consider their responses to situations and think about how they might respond differently to improve an outcome. Timely, accurate and effective delivery of instructions is critical to individual safety, treatment and management.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must demonstrate a level of self-awareness and capacity to effectively reflect and respond appropriately. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser
Example ways to meet the requirement	Identifying when a practice issue is outside one's scope or expertise or when one's practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions. Continual reflection on previous interactions with clients to adjust ongoing exercise programs and delivery as well as improve own practice.

Relational skills

Context	Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders on a number of levels (individuals, groups, communities, government and non-government agencies etc.) is key to practicing as an exercise physiologist and exercise scientist.
What you need to demonstrate	The ability to build and maintain relationships and rapport with key stakeholders including clients, academic staff, supervisors and peers. Skills include empathy, trustworthiness, patience, active listening, approachability and reliability. The ability to engage and relate appropriately in individual and group clinical supervision and experiential learning groups.
Why this is required	Highly developed skills in building and maintaining relationships, developing a network and engaging both on an individual and group level is critical for students to be able to be successful in their exercise related careers.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must demonstrate an ability to demonstrate minimal acceptable level of effective relational skills across the range of tasks and client populations required to successfully complete their studies. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Rapidly building rapport with a client in order to engage them in an assessment while on professional experience. Effectively using relational and interpersonal skills to manage relationships with clients while on professional experience.

Sensory ability

Visual

Context	Adequate visual acuity is required to provide safe and effective exercise physiology and exercise science services.
What you need to demonstrate	Student demonstrates sufficient visual acuity to perform the required range of skills.
Why this is required	Sufficient visual acuity is necessary to demonstrate the required range of skills, tasks and assessments to maintain consistent, accurate and safe care to self and others. Visual observations, examination and assessment are fundamental to safe and effective practice in exercise physiology and exercise science services.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in clinical practice. Any strategies to address the effects of the vision impairment must be effective, consistent and not compromise treatment or safety. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser
Example ways to meet the requirement	Observe changes in client appearance (skin colour, sudomotor and vasomotor changes, loss of facial expression) that might indicate cardiovascular and/or neurological symptoms. Observe and detect subtle changes in posture, movement and the ability to perform functional activities during assessment and treatment of clients.

Auditory

Context	Adequate auditory ability is required to provide safe and effective exercise physiology and exercise science services.
What you need to demonstrate	Student demonstrates sufficient aural function to undertake the required range of skills.
Why this is required	Sufficient auditory ability is necessary to monitor, assess and manage individual health needs consistently and accurately. Auditory assessments and observations are fundamental to safe and effective exercise physiology and exercise science practice.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in practice. Any strategies to address the effects of the hearing impairment must be effective, consistent and not compromise treatment or safety. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Accurately undertaking a blood pressure measurement by auscultation. Detecting care request by activation of call bell or calls for help.

Tactile

Context	Sufficient tactile ability is required to perform competent and safe exercise physiology and exercise science services.
What you need to demonstrate	Student demonstrates sufficient tactile function to undertake the required range of skills
Why this is required	Sufficient tactile ability is necessary to monitor, assess and detect patients’ physical characteristics and act on any abnormalities detected to provide thorough exercise services. Tactile assessments and observations are fundamental to safe and effective exercise physiology and exercise science practice.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must have the capacity to make effective assessments of physical characteristics and abnormalities within safe time frames. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Detecting any changes in circulation observations e.g. temperature and pulse palpation. Conducting a physical assessment and detecting any anatomical abnormalities.

Strength and mobility

Gross motor skills

Context	Exercise physiology and exercise science involves physical demands and requires gross motor function.
What you need to demonstrate	The ability to perform gross motor skills to function within scope of practice. Student can mobilise safely in a variety of environments.
Why this is required	Sufficient gross motor skills are necessary to perform, coordinate and prioritise care. Tasks that involve gross motor skills include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting and bending. Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments should facilitate functional effectiveness, safety of self and others and a capacity to provide appropriate care. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Perform assessment techniques e.g. evaluation of upper limb, lower limb and spinal sensation and joint movement. Demonstrate a variety of exercises to clients. Maintain own and client's balance, while providing client support, when transferring and mobilising individuals in a safe manner.

Fine motor skills

Context	Exercise physiology and exercise science practice requires manual dexterity and fine motor skills.
What you need to demonstrate	Student demonstrates the ability to use fine motor skills to provide safe effective exercise physiology and exercise science services.
Why this is required	Sufficient fine motor skills are necessary to perform, coordinate and prioritise services. Tasks that involve fine motor skills include being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze and manipulate various objects and individuals. Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments should facilitate functional effectiveness, safety to self and others and a capacity to provide appropriate exercise services. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Effectively manipulate small objects when operating equipment and demonstrating fine dexterity assessments and activities of daily living. Palpate correct anatomical locations for ECG electrodes.

Sustainable performance

Context	Exercise physiology and exercise science practice requires both physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level.
What you need to demonstrate	Consistent and sustained level of physical energy to complete a specific task in a timely manner and over time. The ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration until it is completed appropriately. The capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance for extended periods.
Why this is required	Sufficient physical and mental endurance is an essential requirement needed to perform multiple tasks in an assigned period to provide safe and effective exercise services.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Provide consistent clinical exercise physiology care and management to clients over a negotiated time frame while on clinical placement. Attend clinical or practicum placements in a range of physical settings (e.g. urban, rural, hospitals, clinics) and for the required number of hours, within a reasonable period.

Information and communication technologies

Context	Competent information and communication technology skills are essential for practice in exercise physiology and exercise science.
What you need to demonstrate	The ability to engage with academic and professional staff, peers, university systems, learning resources and assessment tools using current digital technology. The ability to use appropriate current technology in completion of activities.
Why this is required	Safe, appropriate and effective practice as an exercise physiologist or exercise scientist requires the ability to effectively use a range of information and communication technologies suitable for academic and professional environments.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Adjustments must ensure that safety of self and others is not compromised or impeded. Strategies to address ICT related impairment must be effective, consistent and not compromise completion of assessment tasks, community engagement or work placement requirements. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Access library resources to develop skills in video development, prepare video and submit online in an appropriate format and timely manner. Access and utilise online learning content.

Need more information?

If you're not sure what an inherent requirement means, contact the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences.

Adapted from Inherent Requirements © Western Sydney University, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International licence.