This assessment item is comprised of two parts, Part A, and Part B, and you will be given a choice of three case studies to choose from.
In Part A, you are required to undertake an analysis of the sport specific to your chosen case study and demonstrate your exercise programming knowledge and understanding by developing a detailed 12-month periodisation plan. Additionally, you will also be required to provide an overview of appropriate tests to be undertaken for the chosen case study, provide data and outcomes of these tests, and use this information to provide details of two mesocycles from within this periodisation plan. These two mesocycles will include comprehensive information regrading exercises, repetitions, sets, intensity, periodisation strategy, rest periods, and training load/volume. In Part B, you are required to justify each of the chosen program variables and elements of your program. Part B has a limit of 1500 words and should be written with the use of supporting information from peer-reviewed journal articles, textbooks, or coaching manuals.
The case studies will be made available on the ESSC13008 Moodle site.

A detailed marking rubric for this assessment will be made available on the ESSC13008 Moodle site, covering the following areas:

• Evaluation of the sport
• Yearly perdiodisation plan and approach
• Use of macrocycles, mesocycles, and microcycles
• Tests and assessments
• Exercise selection
• Training frequency
• Exercise order
• Training load and repetitions
• Justification of program design and periodisation approach

AI Statement: The use of generative AI is not allowed for this assessment item. This assessment item is to be completed individually.

Throughout the residential school, you will be assessed on your ability to plan, organise, deliver, coach, reflect, and critique exercise delivery sessions. These sessions will include client pre-screening and movement assessments, resistance training, group exercise, speed and agility, and aerobic endurance. You will be assessed both individually (40% of the total total grade for this assessment item) and within small groups (60% of the total grade for this assessment item). Please see the ESSC13008 Moodle site for the most up to date residential school dates, locations, and information.

A detailed marking guide will be made available on the ESSC13008 Moodle site, covering the following areas:

• Exercise knowledge
• Exercise prescription
• Movement analysis
• Coaching delivery skills
• Planning and organisation
• Communication
• Attitude and teamwork

In this assessment task, you will undertake 50 hours of ESSA-approved work integrated learning (placement) and be assessed on your competency as a student Exercise Scientist. Your competency in this assessment will be graded as pass or fail.

• Professional Practice Evaluation 1 is due at the completion of 25 hours (mid-point).
• Professional Practice Evaluation 2 is due at the completion 50 hours (end-point), no later than Friday of Review/Exam Week. 

You are required to submit two (2) Professional Placement Evaluations. This assessment item includes assessment tools that your placement supervisor will complete regarding your, goals, performance and capabilities while on placement. It is expected that you and your placement supervisor complete the Professional Practice Evaluations together. This should be viewed as an open process designed to enhance your placement experience and exercise assessment, prescription, and delivery skills and competency.

You must complete the templates available on the ESSC13008 Moodle site for Professional Placement Evaluation 1, which documents the first 25 hours of your placement, and for Professional Placement Evaluation 2, which documents the second 25 hours of your placement. During your placement, you will be evaluated by your placement supervisor at the end of 25 hours and the end of 50 hours of placement. Together, Professional Placement Evaluation 1 and Professional Placement Evaluation 2 must show evidence of your competency in completing your 50 hour placement. In the absence of an approved extension, evaluations that do not contain sufficient detail, or are not completed by the placement supervisor(s) will be returned for corrections and you may not be able to pass this assessment item, or this unit, unless the evaluations are completed according to these instructions. You will have one (1) opportunity to resubmit returned evaluations. 

Further detail regarding placement and this assessment task will be made available on the ESSC13008 Moodle site.

The Professional Practice Evaluations comprises an assessment tool that your placement supervisor will complete regarding your performance and competency while on placement. The evaluation tool is made up of two sections including Professional Practice Competencies and Exercise Scientist Competencies. In the event of completing placement across multiple sites, your evaluation must be completed for the site in which you completed the most hours.

Professional Practice Evaluation 1 is a formative assessment and the outcomes of this assessment are used to help identify areas in that you are doing well in, and areas that need improvement.

Professional Practice Evaluation 2 is a summative assessment and you must attain the minimum pass mark to pass this assessment item.

A detailed marking rubric for this assessment will be made available on the ESSC13008 Moodle site, covering these areas:

Professional Practice Competencies

• Professional behaviour and demeanor
• Communication with clients
• Communication and teamwork with colleagues
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Self-improvement and development

Exercise Scientist Competencies

• Client assessment
• Interpretation of findings
• Development of exercise plan(s)
• Implementation of exercise plan(s)
• Evaluation of exercise plan(s)

In this assessment task, you will provide detail and evidence of your 50 hours of ESSA-approved placement and be assessed on how this evidence aligns to ESSA Accredited Exercise Scientist (AES) professional attributes. Your evidence presented in this assessment will be graded as pass or fail.

You are required to submit 1 (one) Record of Student Engagement. You must complete the template available on the ESSC13008 Moodle site, which also includes a logbook of the hours you have completed. The Record of Student Engagement must also be signed by your placement supervisor. An example of the level of detail required for the Record of Student Engagement and further detail regarding this assessment task will be made available on the ESSC13008 Moodle site. 

The Record of Student Engagement is graded as Pass/Fail. Sufficient detail is required in regard to the client description and description of services, reference to the appropriate ESSA AES professional attributes, as well as the detail and adequacy of the placement hours. In the event of completing placement across multiple sites, the Record of Student Engagement must be completed for each site.
Your Record of Student Engagement will be marked according to the following criteria to comply with guidelines stipulated by ESSA:

• Sufficient detail of dates, hours, client(s) description (anonymised), description of services, supervisor's name, and supervisor's signature
• Reference to the appropriate ESSA AES professional attributes completed during placement
• A breakdown of hours for "Exercise Assessment, Prescription, and Delivery" (Category 1) and "Sport Science Other" (Category 2) tasks is included, using the descriptors provided on the ESSC13008 Moodle site
• Typed and uploaded as a .pdf, .doc, or .docx file

An example of the level of detail required for the Record of Student Engagement will be made available on the ESSC13008 Moodle site.

Records of Student Engagement that do not contain sufficient detail, are not signed by the placement supervisor, or are not clearly typed, will be returned for corrections. You may not be able to pass this assessment item, or this unit unless the Record of Student Engagement meets the requirements described above, which are in accordance with ESSA standards. If a Record of Student Engagement is returned for corrections you will be given one (1) opportunity to resubmit that Record of Student Engagement.