Following a formative prerequisite data collection session involving the administration of performance tests and psychological profiling of an athlete, students will deliver a 20-minute in-class presentation to their peers. In this assessment, they will be required to communicate how an athlete’s innate, physiological, and psychological characteristics may influence performance, and provide evidence-based recommendations for performance enhancement considering these factors.

This module integrates the disciplines of applied sport and exercise physiology and psychology to explore the complex interaction between body and mind in elite performance.

- Students will develop advanced technical skills in physiological monitoring, data interpretation, and the communication of evidence-based recommendations to optimise athletic performance.

- Alongside this, they will gain practical experience in psychological skills training, including techniques such as imagery, self-talk, and relaxation to enhance confidence, focus, and emotional regulation.

- Through a combination of theoretical study and applied practice, the module prepares students to work effectively with athletes, supporting both their physiological development and psychological resilience in high-performance environments.

1. Apply contemporary knowledge of physiological and psychological factors affecting sport and exercise performance to explain their impact on athletic outcomes.

Learning Outcome: Knowledge and understanding Application and problem solving

2. Collect and critically evaluate physiological and psychological data to develop evidence-based performance recommendations.

Learning Outcome: Digital literacy, Research skills

3. Communicate complex physiological and psychological information clearly and professionally to specialist and non-specialist audiences, with relevance to athletic performance.

Learning Outcome: Communication

Learning will be delivered through a combination of interactive lectures, practical laboratory sessions, and applied psychological skills workshops. Lecture and theory sessions will provide the conceptual and scientific foundations underpinning physiological and psychological aspects of performance. Practical physiology labs will enable students to develop and apply advanced technical skills in performance testing, physiological monitoring, and data interpretation. Psychological practical seminars will provide opportunities to experience, practice, and evaluate psychological skills training techniques such as imagery, self-talk, and relaxation in applied contexts. Throughout the module, students will engage in problem-based learning, collaborative tasks, and reflective discussions to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing them to work effectively with athletes in performance environments.

- Access to an appropriate PC, with accompanying software including Office 365 (MS Teams, One-Drive, Word, PowerPoint et al.), Adobe, and JAMOVI.

- Access to appropriate reading materials, which can be accesses through the University of Staffordshire library resource page for sport and Exercise.

Eston, R., & Reilly, T. (Eds.) (2009). Kinanthropometry and Exercise Physiology Laboratory Manual: Tests, procedures and data. (3rd ed.) Volume 2: Physiology. E. & F.N. Spon.

McArdle, W. D. Katch, F. I., & Katch, V. L. (2015). Exercise Physiology: Nutrition, Energy, and Human Performance. (8th ed.). Williams and Wilkins.

Williams, J. M. (2019). Applied sport psychology: personal growth for peak performance (7th ed). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Keegan, R. (2020).¿Being a sport psychologist. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Tod, D., Hodge, K., & Krane, V. (2023). Routledge handbook of applied sport psychology. Taylor and Francis.

Discover what it really takes to help athletes reach their peak. This exciting, hands-on module blends sport and exercise physiology and psychology to give you a complete understanding of how the mind and body work together in elite performance. You’ll learn how to monitor and interpret physiological data, give professional feedback to optimise performance, and develop key psychological techniques such as imagery, self-talk, and relaxation to boost confidence and control anxiety. Through practical sessions, real-world case studies, and applied learning, you’ll build the skills and confidence needed to work with athletes and high performers in competitive sport and beyond.