There are THREE elements of assessment for this module and students must gain an overall grade point 4 to pass the module. Students do NOT have to pass each element of assessment but a minimum grade point 2 must be achieved in each individual element to pass the module.

A ONE-HOUR PRACTICAL EXAMINATION weighted at 50%, and assessing learning outcomes 1-3,
A DIETARY ANALYSIS REPORT (1500 word) weighted at 25% assessing learning outcome 6
A TRAINING SESSION, with justification, weighted at 25% assessing learning outcomes 4 and 5.

The practical examination will consist of a demonstration and explanation of at least two tutor-determined physiological monitoring techniques on a `real' participant. As part of this process, the student will be required to provide written feedback, under examination conditions, to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and critical analysis of the advantages and limitations of the techniques for assessing the particular variable, the response to exercise and adaptation of the body to exercise and training, and what the data mean. To ensure relevancy for employment, the practical examination would be relevant for an athlete or client, for whom sports science support is being offered.

For the dietary analysis, students will be required to analyse and present a report based upon a dietary investigation. This will represent a 'real world' situation and will prepare students for the world of work.

For the training session, students will be required to carry out a training session, specific to a group of athletes or athlete, using concepts of periodisation, principles of training, and relevant research to develop and design the session. The training session will be attended by other students, but to ensure relevancy for entrepreneurship, the training session should be suitable for an athlete or group of athletes, so that the session would be relevant for income generation in the future.


Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment:
Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via supervised practical sessions where feedback will be given directly to students by supervising staff. Such tasks will help develop skills required for the practical examination.

For the training session, students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via:
Workshop sessions will continually provide feedback on progress as each workshop will contributes progressively towards the final summative assessment.

In the first part of the module, the acute responses to sport and exercise and the chronic adaptations to training will be critically considered. In the second part of the module, the focus will be on providing students with an in-depth knowledge in the principles and design of training programmes for a sports performer, including the concepts of periodisation, overtraining, and monitoring of training.

Body systems relevant to response and adaptations to sport and exercise will be covered, including for instance, the cardiovascular, neuromuscular, respiratory, and metabolic systems.

Techniques for monitoring physiological performance and responses to exercise and training will be evaluated, such as methods of assessing aerobic and anaerobic capability (e.g., via VO2max, lactate response, maximal intensity exercise), flexibility, muscular strength and power, speed, agility and perceptions of exertion.

The nutritional element will cover the basic guidelines for healthy eating and dietary recommendations. The relationship between diet and sports performance will also be introduced.

Skills in data collection and analysis, report writing and presentation will be taught and developed.

Contact Hours: (72)
24 x 1 hours Lectures - tutor-led lecture programme
24 x 2 hour Labs/seminars = 48 hours in total. (assessment occurs in timetabled sessions)

Independent StudyHours: (228)
42 hours tutor-directed independent study following lectures
36 hours tutor-directed independent study following workshops
40 hours in preparation for practical examination
40 hours in preparation for group presentation
40 hours in preparation for the dietary analysis
20 hours student-led independent study

Bompa, T. O., & Carrera, M. C. (2005). Periodization training for sports. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Kenney, W. L., Wilmore, J. H., & Costill, D. L. (2012). Physiology of sport and exercise. (4th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Maud, P. J., & Foster, C. (Eds.) (2006). Physiological assessment of human fitness. (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Williams, M.H. (2010) Nutrition for health, fitness and sport. Boston. McGraw-Hill

Appropriately-equipped laboratory
Appropriate technical support
Appropriately-equipped lecture room
Astro turf or equivalent space to carry out training session
Diet analysis softwear (currently Dietmaster)

Level 4 module, Introduction to Physiology, Biomechanics and Nutrition (HES91128-4)