Throughout the course you will intensively study the science underpinning human performance, including exercise physiology; sports psychology; kinesiology; biomechanics; performance analysis, theory and practice of training and sports nutrition.
You will learn how to assess a client’s fitness and performance needs and design appropriate exercise programmes. You will be able to work with all level of skills from the recreational exerciser to the elite athlete. The applied part of this course will improve your knowledge and skills in a practical environment and you will have the chance to work with local sports teams.
In addition to the core modules, the final year allows you to specialise in either Human Performance or Strength and Conditioning.
Strength and Conditioning Pathway
You will have the option to choose Advanced Strength and Conditioning. This module will provide you with an extended understanding of the principles governing the training of elite athletes. This module, along with a specific work placement opportunity in a strength and conditioning setting (Placement module) allows you to develop competencies that are closely aligned to the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) and permits progression to individual accreditation after graduation.
You will have the chance to undertake your placement with a qualified strength and conditioning coach, which gives you an excellent opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge to real-life situations and vastly enhance your employability. Placement destinations include the English Institute of Sport, British Cycling, Manchester City FC, British Lacrosse, Sale Sharks, UK Athletics and Salford City Reds.
Human Performance Pathway
You will study the option to choose the Applied Human Performance module. This module aims to integrate your knowledge of physiology, nutrition, biomechanics and psychology towards the improvement of sports performance in an athlete. This module, along with the Placement module, allows you to further develop your skills in the traditional Sports Science disciplines in order to apply in real-world settings. You will also have the opportunity to undertake the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) qualification at the University. There will be additional opportunities to provide sports science support for local teams and athletes, which are integrated into the final year modules.
Year One
Human Physiology
This module provides a basic knowledge and understanding of the core human physiological systems which are fundamental to sport, exercise, health and movement.
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Careers and Practitioner Skills
This module differentiates between the concepts and roles associated with careers in the exercise, physical activity and sports industries.
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Kinesiology
Provides you with the necessary basic anatomical terminology and points of reference in order for you to start your understanding of human anatomical structure and function.
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Exercise Design and Fitness Instruction
Develops your knowledge about all forms of physical exercise and fitness development in order to design suitable, safe and well structured exercise sessions.
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Introduction to Sports Psychology
Introduces you to sports psychology and theoretical constructs that help to explain human behaviour, and introduces you to understanding sports skills and how they are established through instruction and practice.
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Biomechanics for Sport
Introduces you to the fundamental concepts and principles of biomechanics.
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Year Two
Exercise Physiology
Examines the theoretical and practical aspects of the physiological responses to exercise.
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Theory and Practice of Training
Provides you with an understanding of the principles of training theory and training methods.
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Research Methods and Study Design
Develops your understanding of research design and analysis to allow you to critically appraise evidence and to plan your own research.
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Nutrition for Exercise and Health
Develops your understanding of the scientific principles that underpin the nutritional requirements for health and exercise.
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Biomechanics and Performance Analysis
Develops the theoretical background of biomechanics and performance analysis, and helps you to apply these concepts and analyse sports performance using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
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Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Considers important aspects of group dynamics, communication and team development and leadership skills within the competitive sporting environment, as well as further developing concepts of motor control and learning within applied sporting situations.
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Year Three
Exercise Physiology and Nutrition
Understand physiological, environmental and nutritional factors that influence exercise performance for a diverse range of athletes and people engaged in physical activity.
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Biomechanics and Skill Acquisition
Looks at how athletes modify technique and movement skills for performance and injury prevention and how this can be assessed using video-based technology.
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Dissertation
Allows you to conduct an in-depth, evidence-based study on a topic (quantitative, qualitative, or structured review), and analyse, present and discuss the outcomes of the study.
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Placement
Provides you with an extended understanding of the application of scientific principles to the real world sporting environment by undertaking a work placement within your chosen career destination.
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Your choice of pathway from either
Advanced Strength and Conditioning
This module will provide you with an extended understanding of the principles governing the training of elite athletes.
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Or
Applied Human Performance
This module aims to integrate your knowledge of physiology, nutrition, biomechanics and psychology towards the improvement of sports performance in an athlete.
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