Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Basic structure of the human body includes:
systems, such as:
articular
muscular
circulatory
nervous.
Principles may include:
head upright
eyes straight ahead
chin parallel to the floor
shoulders wide and relaxed
neck stretching upward
chest vertically aligned with the hips
body weight distributed evenly between the feet, and kept slightly forward.
Body alignment refers to:
alignment of the body's load-bearing joints in a standing position, that is:
shoulders
hips
knees
ankles
muscles being in balance:
front to back
side to side
top to bottom
other elements, such as:
feet pointing straight ahead
knees pointing straight ahead
level pelvis.
Relevant personnel may include:
teachers
community members
manager
mentors
peers
performers
supervisor
medical practitioners.
Purpose may include:
warm-up:
to stimulate heart and lungs moderately and progressively
to increase body and muscle temperature gradually
to increase the metabolism of skeletal muscle
to prevent joint injury
psychological preparation for performance
cool-down:
to return respiration and heart rate to normal
to help prevent muscle soreness
to unwind and relax.
Benefits may include:
physiological, including:
higher metabolic rate
increased blood flow to muscles
higher rate of oxygen exchange between blood and muscles
more oxygen released within muscles
faster nerve impulse transmission
decreased muscle relaxation time between contractions
increased muscle elasticity
increased flexibility of ligaments and tendons
rehearsal effect, that is, muscular patterns of the body to be used later
psychological, including:
reduced stress due to an increase in endorphin and a decrease in adrenalin
increased mental alertness
increased concentration
inhibition reduction
improved technique, balance and coordination through a body-focused mind set.
Warm-up and cool-down procedures may include:
stretching, including:
static or passive
dynamic
joint-mobility exercises
flexibility exercises
aerobic activities
coordinated breathing activities
floor work.
Importance of healthy nutrition relates to:
injury prevention and management
wellbeing
healthy food choices, e.g. five food groups and recommended daily amounts.
Causes may relate to:
bad posture and body alignment
overstretching
compressing body tissues, such as:
muscles
bones
joints
incorrect technique
insufficient conditioning and training
fatigue
inappropriate environmental conditions
nutrition
emotional or psychological stress.
Common dance injuries occur in:
lower back
ankles
feet
knees
muscles and tendons
ligaments
joints
abdomen
stress fractures.
Sources of professional assistanceinclude:
general and specialist practitioners
rehabilitation therapists, such as:
Pilates
Alexander technique
chiropractors
yoga
osteopaths
physiotherapists
massage.
Safety aspects include:
venue or facilities, such as:
class size
class numbers appropriate for the style or genre of dance and floor area
appropriate change rooms and toilet facilities
ventilation
unobstructed space
appropriate heating, cooling and lighting
music or sound system
doing exercises and performing routines on flooring appropriate to genre and style of dance, including:
sprung softwood
tarkett
sprung parquet
tongue and groove hardwood
resined for ballroom and Latin dance
non-slip for ballet
wood for tap and Spanish
condition and maintenance of flooring, including:
floor surface should be even and free from potentially dangerous cracks, gaps or uneven joins
floor surface should be regularly maintained so as to be kept free of protruding nails, wood splinters and loose boards or other potentially dangerous flaws
location
security, e.g. safe access to and from venue
suitable footwear and clothing.
Strategies to minimise environmental impactmay relate to:
measures to reduce energy consumption, such as:
using light emitting diode (LED) lights
using fluorescent light bulbs
turning lights off
recycling:
waste paper
tins
cardboard
bottles
reducing water usage
sweeping rather than hosing
maintaining biodiversity
protecting the natural habitat from damage
awareness of air quality and noise.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
perform a range of warm-up and cool-down exercises
apply a basic understanding of anatomical principles to day-to-day dance activities
explain the cause of common dance injuries
identify potential safety hazards in a dance studio or venue.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to appropriate dance performance areas or spaces.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence
third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance evaluation of hazard reports completed
verbal or written questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit
case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and challenges that arise in the context of following basic safe dance practice
direct observation or video recording of the candidate undertaking warm-up and cool-down routines.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CUEIND01C Source and apply entertainment industry knowledge.