Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ)
CYQ Level 3 Certificate In Sports
Massage (Soft Tissue Therapy)
Training Day
Aim
• To introduce centre staff to the methods of best practice in delivery &
assessment of the Level 3 Certificate In Sports Massage (Soft
Tissue Therapy)
• Outcomes:
– overview of syllabus and assessment specifications
– interpretation of the assessment criteria
– equivalents and exemptions
– guidance for recording assessment evidence
– assessment guidelines
– review of resources available
– additional requirements for those centres seeking Sports
Therapy Organisation / Sports Massage Association approval
Timetable
10.00 – 10.15 Introduction & aims of the day
10.15 – 10.45 Qualification structure / syllabus; Tutor / assessor
requirements
10.45 – 11.30 Assessment specifications (Unit 1 – 4)
11.30 – 11.45 Break
11.45 – 12.45 Assessment specifications (Unit 5 – 6)
12.45 – 13.30 Lunch
13.30 – 14.30 Assessment specifications (Unit 7 – 8)
14.30 – 15.30 Additional requirements for those centres seeking Sports
Therapy Organisation / Sports Massage Association approval
15.30 - 16.00 Questions, summary & evaluation
Level 3 Certificate in Sports
Massage (Soft Tissue
Therapy)
Level 3 Certificate in Sports Massage (Soft Tissue Therapy)
Tutor requirements:
• Relevant expertise and experience in all areas of the qualification being
delivered; this should include the following as a minimum:
⁻ The qualification they wish to deliver or a sports massage therapy
qualification or a sports therapy/sports rehabilitation qualification or degree
which can be shown to have included sports massage techniques
⁻ PTLLS (or equivalent teaching qualification)
• Documented CPD and clinical experience for a minimum one year*
Please note:
For those tutors with less than two years clinical experience CYQ and/or STO
(Sports Therapy Organisation) may conduct quality assurance activities for a
probationary period of one year
Level 3 Certificate in Sports Massage (Soft Tissue Therapy)
Assessors requirements:
• Relevant expertise in all areas of the qualification being delivered; this
should include the following as a minimum:
₋ The qualification they wish to assess or a sports massage therapy
qualification or a sports therapy/sports rehabilitation qualification or degree
which can be shown to have included sports massage techniques
- Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (QCF) or
- Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (QCF) or
- Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (QCF) or A1
(previously D32,D33)
₋ Relevant predecessor NQF assessor qualifications
• Current knowledge informed by best practice standards/guidance through
regular continued professional development (CPD).
Level 3 Certificate in Sports Massage (Soft Tissue Therapy)
Learner pre-entry requirements:
none
Level 3 Certificate in Sports Massage (Soft Tissue Therapy)
There are 8 mandatory units in this qualification-
Total GLH’s 204, Total Credit value 30
Please note Centres should contact CYQ for guidance should they wish to deliver
course in fewer hours
Unit 1- Anatomy & Physiology for Exercise
Content:
• Structure and function of the skeleton
• Muscles and muscle actions
• Circulatory and respiratory systems
• Energy systems
• Nervous system
Note: this is one of the mandatory units found in Level 2 Certificate in
Fitness Instructing qualifications
Unit 1- Anatomy & Physiology for Exercise
Assessment Specification:
• Multiple choice theory paper 40 questions a minimum of 28 (70%) is
required to pass
• The allocated time to complete this is 50 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q - Are mock theory papers available?
A - Yes, these can be accessed via the CYQ website www.cyq.org.uk or
requested from theorypapers@cyq.org.uk
Q - How do I order theory papers?
A - CYQ theory papers are available to approved centre contacts from
theorypapers@cyq.org.uk
Unit 2- Principles of Exercise, Fitness and Health
Content:
• Components of Fitness
• Effects of exercise on the body
• Principles and variable of an exercise programme
• Safety guidelines for special populations
• Health benefits of physical activity
Note: this is one of the mandatory units found in Level 2 Certificate in
Fitness Instructing qualifications
Unit 2- Principles of Exercise, Fitness and Health
Assessment Specification:
• Multiple choice theory paper 40 questions a minimum of 28 (70%) is
required to pass
• The allocated time to complete this is 50 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q - Are mock theory papers available?
A - Yes, these can be accessed via the CYQ website www.cyq.org.uk or
requested from theorypapers@cyq.org.uk
Q - How do I order theory papers?
A - CYQ theory papers are available to approved centre contacts from
theorypapers@cyq.org.uk
Unit 3- Anatomy and physiology for sports massage
Content:
• Structure and function of the skin
• Structure and function of the lymphatic system
• Structure and function of the neuro-endocrine system
• Anatomy and physiology of the major joints of the body*
• Effects of sports massage
Note: Anatomy and physiology of the major joints of the body
This unit requires a far greater knowledge of the skeleton and muscles etc.
than that obtained from the level 2 unit ie:
• Approximately 30 additional muscles (name, location, function)
• Bony landmarks and specific origins and insertions
• Names. location and structure of major ligaments and other key soft
tissue structures
Unit 3- Anatomy and physiology for sports massage
Assessment Specification:
• Multiple choice theory paper 40 questions a minimum of 28 (70%) is
required to pass
• The allocated time to complete this is 50 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q - Are mock theory papers available?
A - Yes, these can be accessed via the CYQ website www.cyq.org.uk or
requested from theorypapers@cyq.org.uk
Q - How do I order theory papers?
A - CYQ theory papers are available to approved centre contacts from
theorypapers@cyq.org.uk
Unit 4- Assisting soft tissue repair
Content:
• Causes of soft tissue damage
• Different types of soft tissue damage
• Pathology of soft tissue damage (stages of repair etc.)
• Appropriate treatment (to support each stage of soft tissue repair)
Unit 4- Assisting soft tissue repair
Assessment Specification:
• Learners must complete the ‘Assisting soft tissue repair’ worksheet
fully (26 questions)
₋ This can be completed as part of a course or as part of summative
assessment however it must be the learner’s sole work
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q - Are exemplar answers available?
A - No, however sufficient information to complete each question can be
found in the CYQ supplied syllabus
Unit 5- Professional practice in sports massage
Content:
• Contraindications to sports massage
• Legal responsibilities of a sports massage practitioner
• Principles of best practice for a sports massage practitioner
Unit 5- Professional practice in sports massage
Assessment Specification:
• Learners must complete the ‘Professional practice in sports massage’
worksheet fully (12 questions)
⁻ This can be completed as part of a course or as part of summative
assessment however it must be the learner’s sole work
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q - Are exemplar answers available?
A - No, however sufficient information to complete each question can be
found in the CYQ supplied syllabus
Unit 6- Assessing clients and treatment planning
Content:
• How to establish treatment goals
• Conducting a subjective assessment
• Conducting range of movement assessments
• Constructing a treatment plan
• Evaluating the effectiveness of a treatment
Unit 6- Assessing clients and treatment planning
Assessment Specification: (in 2 parts)
• Learners must complete the ‘Assessing clients and treatment planning’
worksheet fully (7 questions)
⁻ This can be completed as part of a course or as part of summative
assessment however it must be the learner’s sole work
• The assessor will need to observe the learner carrying out an
assessment of a client whilst completing a client record card.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q – May a learner use a peer as a client?
A - Yes
Unit 6- Assessing clients and treatment planning
Assessment Specification (cont.) Observation element
Observed assessment will involve the learner:
• asking their client sufficient questions:
– to determine their reason for the client’s visit and to establish that treatment is
appropriate
– that are appropriate to client’s condition/requirements
• recording their findings on the client record card
• demonstrating a minimum of 3 range of movement assessments on their client
that are relevant to the condition/requirements and recording the results on the
client record card
• summarising findings, making treatment recommendations to the client and
recording them on the client record card
• obtaining client’s written consent for treatment
Unit 7- Applying sports massage techniques
Content:
• Preparing for sports massage
• Effects and purposes of different sports massage techniques
•
⁻
⁻
⁻
⁻
⁻
⁻
⁻
Applying sports massage techniques:
palpation
effleurage
petrissage
frictions
tapotement
shaking, vibrations, pressures
muscle energy technique
Unit 7- Applying sports massage techniques
Assessment Specification: (in 2 parts)
• Learners must complete the ‘Applying sports massage techniques’
worksheet fully (10 questions)
⁻ This can be completed as part of a course or as part of summative
assessment however it must be the learner’s sole work
• The assessor will need to observe the learner demonstrating sports
massage techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q – May a learner use a peer as a client?
A - Yes
Unit 7- Applying sports massage techniques
Assessment Specification (cont.) Observation element
Observed assessment will involve the learner demonstrating:
• the preparation of an environment suitable for sports massage
•
⁻
⁻
⁻
⁻
palpation of:
3 bony landmarks
1 ligament
the ‘origins’ of 2 muscles
the ‘insertions’ of 2 muscles
•
⁻
⁻
⁻
⁻
safe and effective application of
effleurage
petrissage
frictions
learner choice from tapotement, shaking, vibrations, pressures
Unit 7- Applying sports massage techniques
Observation element
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q – Which region of the body should be massaged?
A - The client’s choice
Q – What is a learner fails to palpate any structures accurately?
A - A learner must palpate ALL assessed structures accurately to demonstrate
competence. However only the affected component(s) (ie: bony landmark,
ligament, origin, insertion) need be re-assessed.
Q – To which muscle should muscle energy technique be applied?
A - MET must be conducted on a muscle that has been massaged.
Unit 8- Providing post-treatment care
Content:
• Principles of post-treatment care
• Methods used in post-treatment care
• Principles of exercise delivery to support post-treatment care
• Demonstrate correct post-treatment care exercises
• Principles of any lifestyle advice given to support post-treatment care
Unit 8- Providing post-treatment care
Assessment Specification: (in 2 parts)
• Learners must complete the ‘Providing post-treatment care’ worksheet
fully (20 questions)
⁻ This can be completed as part of a course or as part of summative
assessment however it must be the learner’s sole work
• The assessor will need to observe the learner providing post-care
advice
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q – May a learner use a peer as a client?
A - Yes
Unit 8- Providing post-treatment care
Assessment Specification (cont.) Observation element
Observed assessment will involve the learner demonstrating to their client how,
following injury, they may:
• develop mobility though its
⁻ early stage
⁻ mid stage
⁻ late stage
•
⁻
⁻
⁻
develop strength
early stage
mid stage
late stage
Note:
Early/mid/late stages are used to demonstrate methods of progression only and do
not relate to the phases of soft tissue repair
Unit 8- Providing post-treatment care
Observation element
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q – To which joint should mobility development exercises be applied?
A – Joint to be chosen by the assessor, from ankle, knee, hip, shoulder or spine
Q – To which muscles should strength development exercises be applied?
A – Muscle group to be chosen by the assessor, from calves, quadriceps,
hamstrings, deltoids, abdominals, hip flexors, erector spinae or gluteals
UK Sports Massage Industry
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
UK regulatory body established, with government support, to regulate (amongst
others), sports therapy and massage therapy.
(The Department of Health has recommended that, where CNHC registers the
complementary therapists in question, GP’s and members of the public consult
with someone who is CNHC registered.)
Key Professional Associations who have aligned their entry requirements to
those of CNHC
• Sports Therapy Organisation
• Sports Massage Association
Note:
Currently, CYQ is the only Ofqual regulated awarding body whose sports massage
therapy courses are endorsed by the Sports Therapy Organisation
Sport Therapy Organisation / Sports Massage
Association
Currently these are the UK's leading Professional Associations for sports
therapists/sports massage practitioners. They each work within the industry and
sport governing bodies and are committed to driving up standards.
However, their membership pre-requisites are more exacting to those
required/permitted by the QCF. Therefore should a centre wish it’s learners to be
best placed for either STO or SMA membership they should:
• ensure course delivery contains a minimum of 120GLH which includes at least
50 hours of sports massage practice which must be supervised and
documented
• notify their learners that, in addition to the qualification, a number of case
studies/home studies will also need to be completed
Case study requirement
• 6* clients, with a minimum of 4 treatments per client, for at least 3 of them.
• The overall total should be at least 18 treatments.
• These treatments should evaluate the effectiveness of sports massage
therapy for clients over a period of time.
• They should also be used by students as reflective practice for self
evaluation and continuing professional development.
*SMA only require 3 different clients, however these must be conducted in at
least 2 different environments
**Under all circumstances sports massage must only be undertaken on nonpathological (non-injured) tissue
Note:
Should a centre wish to assist their learners in achieving STO / SMA membership,
upon request, CYQ can provide a case study / log book to enable learners to begin
recording the required evidence during the course
Methods of Assessment
•Formative – ongoing feedback on learners progress which
takes place prior to continuous assessment
•Continuous summative - counts towards the final assessment
result
•Final summative - to create the overall assessment decision
Resources
• Mandatory Units Syllabus
• Mandatory Units Learner Assessment Record (LAR)
• IQA Guidance Pack
Staff Responsibilities
Tutor
The role of the tutor is to plan, deliver and evaluate an effective
programme of learning to accommodate the needs of all learners
registered – they should hold or be working towards a recognised
teaching qualification
The tutor should hold or be working towards a recognised teaching
qualification
Staff Responsibilities
Assessor
The role of the assessor is to make an informed judgement about the
range of evidence a learner may produce to demonstrate their
competence to meet the assessment criteria
Tutors must have a L3 Award or Certificate in Assessing Vocational or
Work-based Achievement (QCF); SQA equivalent; L3 Assessing in the
A.L.S.; A1, D32/33
NB:Tutors working towards an assessing award will be required to have
decisions countersigned by a qualified assessor
Final summative assessment conducted by independent assessor
Staff Responsibilities
Internal Quality Assurer
The role of the internal quality assurer is to make informed judgements
regarding the practice of and decisions made by the assessment team to
maintain standards and to provide guidance and support to assessors –
they should hold or be working towards a recognised IQA qualification
IQA’s must have a L4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of
Assessment Processes and Practice(QCF); SQA equivalent; V1, D34
IQA’s must sample all assessors
Website
Visit www.cyq.org.uk for:
• Full qualification details
• Centre guidance including:
• fees
• policies and procedures
• FAQs
• Resource previews and demos
• Training days calendar
• Assessor/IQA course schedule
Summary
• Any
further questions?
•Please complete CYQ ‘Evaluation Form’ and ‘CPD Claim Form’
•Thank you for your participation and feedback