• YMCA Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy (601/5123/7)

    This qualification provides learners with the knowledge and skills required for industry recognition as a sports massage practitioner.

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    YMCA Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy

    Qualifications Type

    Occupational Entry

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    Occupational qualifications provide the knowledge and skills to meet industry minimum standards of deployment for a particular role. This can support learners in getting their first job within the sector, or add additional roles to their existing scope of practice.

    Qualification Number (QN)

    601/5123/7

    Availability

    Operational start date – 1 January 2015

    Operational end date – 30 April 2024

    Certification end date – 30 April 2026

    Latest version of qualification – YMCA Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy (soft tissue dysfunction) (610/0736/5)

    Entry Requirements

    The qualification has a pre-entry requirement of Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy or equivalent
    The learner must be fit enough to perform sports massage
    The learner must have basic skills in communication pitched at level 3

    Assessments

    Worksheets
    Theory assessment paper (short answers)
    Observations of practical skills
    Treatment aims tables
    Treatments modalities tables

    Endorsement

    Overview

    This qualification provides learners with the knowledge and skills required for industry recognition as a sports massage practitioner.

    The purpose of this qualification is to enable learners to provide sports massage therapy to clients to correct common patterns of dysfunction, and/or pre-diagnosed injuries, using a range of basic and advanced massage techniques.

    Qualification Details

    Learners will cover:

    Anatomy and physiology of the major joints of the body
    The pathophysiology of common injuries/soft tissue patterns of dysfunction
    The principles and practice of objective assessment techniques and the influences and effects which such information has upon treatment planning
    How heat and ice may be used to safely support the soft tissue repair process
    The purpose and use of a range of soft tissue mobilisation and neuromuscular techniques used within sports massage therapy
    Conducting subjective and objective assessments
    Devising sports massage treatment plans to help correct identified areas of soft tissue dysfunction and /or support the soft tissue repair process of previously diagnosed injuries
    Application of a range of soft tissue mobilisation and neuromuscular techniques
    Evaluation of sports massage treatments

    To achieve the YMCA Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy, learners must complete 3 mandatory units.

    Assessments include:

    Worksheets
    Theory assessment paper (short answers)
    Observations of practical skills
    Treatment aims tables
    Treatments modalities tables

    You can find further information on these assessments in the qualification syllabus and/or learner assessment record, which are available for centres to download from Y-Connect.

    Learners who complete this qualification can gain employment and insurance to work as either an employed or self-employed sports massage practitioner.

    They can work with both injured clients and non-injured clients, within organisations/facilities such as sports massage therapy/osteopathic clinics, and sporting/fitness venues.

    The qualification may be used to support access towards degree studies related to Sports Therapy and/or Sport and Exercise Sciences.

    The qualification is different from the YMCA Awards Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy since it qualifies you to work, as a sports massage practitioner, with injured clients.

    The scope of practice of a sports massage therapist with Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy is limited to applying pre-/post-event/maintenance massage on ‘non-injured’ tissue.

    Unit titleeLearningManual
    Conducting subjective and objective assessment (D/506/7501)❌❌
    Treatment modalities to support soft tissue repair (K/506/7503)❌❌
    Provide sports massage techniques to prevent and manage injury (H/506/7502)❌❌

    For more information on our resources and resource bundle pricing, you can

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    Benefits of YMCA Awards endorsement

    Realise extra value from existing, non-regulated training programmes

    Evidence high standards of teaching, resources and support

    Learn from our experts to reach your ongoing development ambitions

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