BSc (Hons)

Exercise, Physical Activity and Health

3 good reasons to study Exercise, Physical Activity and Health at Salford:

Learn about the theory and practice of health and fitness and gain entry onto the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)
Access to fully equipped exercise laboratories
Final year placement opportunity in a wide range of professional settings (referral schemes, private/public sectors, health clubs, community, clinical)

This course has been designed to develop knowledge around the areas of exercise physiology, health psychology, policy and nutrition, to produce practical solutions to improve health through physical activity and exercise. You will become familiar with the factors that can affect the decision to exercise and how exercise programmes can be structured and implemented to enable an overall improvement in health. The ultimate aim of the course is to produce graduates who can work with a range of individuals in a variety of settings to improve health, fitness, wellness and quality of life.

Course details

You will learn about the many factors that can affect the decision to exercise and how to overcome resistance to healthy lifestyle behaviours. You will be competent in the prescription of exercise for healthy adults and special population groups. You will understand how to produce a nutritional profile for general health and optimal performance, and you will develop an appreciation of physical activity innovation in practice.

Year 1

Innovations in Physical Activity and Health

Explore innovation in the exercise and health industries and use a critical approach to assess the effectiveness of fitness-based products and services.

Human Physiology

This provides a basic knowledge and understanding of the core human physiological systems which are fundamental to exercise, health, sport and movement.

Exercise Design and Fitness Instruction

This module provides you with the knowledge that underpins all forms of physical exercise and fitness development in order to design suitable, safe, well-structured exercise sessions.

Psychology of Exercise and Health

Develop an understanding of psychological theory and processes underpinning health behaviour change.

Physical Activity and Health Policy

Understand health policy development and its implications at an international, Government, regional and local setting.

Practitioner Skill Development

Differentiating between the concepts and roles associated with careers in the exercise, physical activity and sports industries.

Year 2

Advanced Exercise Design and Fitness Instruction

You will learn how to create effective, individualised exercise programmes based on an analysis of information gathered from fitness assessments, exercise counselling and goal setting.

Exercise Physiology

You will examine the theoretical and practical aspects of the physiological response to exercise.

Nutrition for Exercise and Health

You will develop an understanding of the scientific principles that underpin the nutritional requirements for health and exercise.

Exercise Contexts and Training

You will explore a range of established exercise training techniques and how they might be applied, and consider their role in the development of an active lifestyle.

Research Methods and Study Design

You will develop a broad understanding of research design and analysis, learning how to appraise evidence and plan your own research.

Behaviour Change

You will develop a critical understanding of health behaviour, exploring the barriers to exercise, and considering motivation, confidence, competence and self-efficacy.

Year 3

Dissertation

You will be expected to conduct an in-depth evidence-based study on a topic of your choosing.

Exercise Practitioner Placement

You will identify a placement setting, and apply your academic skills and knowledge to practice.

Measurement and Evaluation of Fitness and Health

You will learn the theoretical and practical skills associated with the measurement of fitness, the prescription of exercise and the process for delivering feedback to client groups.

Exercise and Health Interventions

You will work in a small group to design, develop and implement a 'real life' intervention and host it on the University campus. Your intervention should be designed to improve health status or increase exercise and/or physical activity levels.

Exercise Prescription for Special Populations

You will learn about the normal and abnormal function of selected organ systems, the pharmacological management of disease and how to safely prescribe exercise for special population groups.

Eating Behaviour and Dietary Interventions

You will explore the behavioural basis for food choices and eating patterns, which will enable you to then address the implications of inadequate food consumption.

Course Enquiries

For course enquiries please call us on:

T: +44 (0) 161 295 4545

Or Email us at:

Home/EU students
E: enquiries@salford.ac.uk

International students
E: international@salford.ac.uk