1. Apply established methods and techniques to review, consolidate, and extend your knowledge in order to design and coach appropriate exercise programmes for a range of special/clinical populations 

Application and Problem Solving  

2. Effectively communicate exercise plans, rationales, and adaptations, including identified risks and solutions, to both specialist and non-specialist audiences 

Communication 

3. Locate, make use, and critically analyse scholarly reviews and primary sources, including refereed research articles and original materials, to inform the design of exercise programmes for special/clinical populations 

Research Skills  

Practical: In this simulation, you will demonstrate the safe and effective delivery of an evidence-informed exercise programme with a member of a special population. During the assessment, you are expected to appropriately screen the participant, agree on clear session objectives, and deliver a structured programme tailored to your assigned case study. You should also demonstrate the safe and effective use of any specialist equipment required for the session. 

Within this module, students will complete formative assessment tasks designed to support the development of professional knowledge and skills. These tasks will be structured to enable students to demonstrate their developing ability to meet the competencies required by the relevant Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB), while receiving feedback that supports progression towards the summative assessments and professional standards expected within the discipline.

This module introduces you to the principles, rationale, and practical application of exercise prescription for individuals with clinical considerations. You will develop the knowledge and skills required to design and deliver safe, effective, and evidence-informed exercise interventions for a range of special populations. 

You will begin by exploring the scientific and clinical principles that underpin exercise for special populations, including how ageing, chronic conditions, and neurological or musculoskeletal disorders influence functional capacity and response to exercise. You will explore how physiological, biomechanical, and psychosocial factors shape exercise selection, progression, and monitoring in populations with increased risk or reduced tolerance to exercise. Core concepts such as risk stratification, contraindications, precautionary screening, adaptation, and individualisation will be introduced to support your ability to plan appropriate and safe exercise programmes. 

Building on this, you will learn how to conduct and adapt a range of physiological and biomechanical assessments specifically relevant to special populations, including joint range of motion, balance and proprioception, muscle strength and endurance, power, aerobic capacity, and functional movement, with particular attention to screening for red flags, identifying limitations, and determining readiness to exercise.  

You will explore the design and delivery of exercise interventions across different population groups, including older adults, individuals with chronic musculoskeletal or cardiometabolic conditions, people living with neurological conditions, and individuals affected by deconditioning or long-term inactivity. Training approaches will include mobility and functional movement development, neuromuscular control, balance and fall-prevention training, strength and hypertrophy methods, power development, and adapted cardiovascular conditioning. You will learn how to modify exercises, equipment, and environments to ensure safety, inclusion, and accessibility. 

You will develop your practical coaching skills and learn to communicate effectively with individuals whose needs may differ from typical athletic populations. You will become competent in adapting instructions, modifying technique, and adjusting session demands in response to fatigue, pain, confidence, or clinical presentation. 

By the end of the module, you will be able to assess physical capacities in a range of special populations, interpret assessment data, and design evidence-informed exercise interventions that account for physiological, biomechanical, and clinical considerations. You will also demonstrate competence in delivering exercise safely and effectively, with an understanding of when to progress, regress, or refer based on individual needs, responses, and health status.

This module introduces you to the principles, rationale, and practical application of exercise prescription for individuals with clinical considerations. You will develop the knowledge and skills required to design and deliver safe, effective, and evidence-informed exercise interventions for a range of special populations. 

You will begin by exploring the scientific and clinical principles that underpin exercise for special populations, including how ageing, chronic conditions, and neurological or musculoskeletal disorders influence functional capacity and response to exercise. You will explore how physiological, biomechanical, and psychosocial factors shape exercise selection, progression, and monitoring in populations with increased risk or reduced tolerance to exercise. Core concepts such as risk stratification, contraindications, precautionary screening, adaptation, and individualisation will be introduced to support your ability to plan appropriate and safe exercise programmes. 

Building on this, you will learn how to conduct and adapt a range of physiological and biomechanical assessments specifically relevant to special populations, including joint range of motion, balance and proprioception, muscle strength and endurance, power, aerobic capacity, and functional movement, with particular attention to screening for red flags, identifying limitations, and determining readiness to exercise.  

You will explore the design and delivery of exercise interventions across different population groups, including older adults, individuals with chronic musculoskeletal or cardiometabolic conditions, people living with neurological conditions, and individuals affected by deconditioning or long-term inactivity. Training approaches will include mobility and functional movement development, neuromuscular control, balance and fall-prevention training, strength and hypertrophy methods, power development, and adapted cardiovascular conditioning. You will learn how to modify exercises, equipment, and environments to ensure safety, inclusion, and accessibility. 

You will develop your practical coaching skills and learn to communicate effectively with individuals whose needs may differ from typical athletic populations. You will become competent in adapting instructions, modifying technique, and adjusting session demands in response to fatigue, pain, confidence, or clinical presentation. 

By the end of the module, you will be able to assess physical capacities in a range of special populations, interpret assessment data, and design evidence-informed exercise interventions that account for physiological, biomechanical, and clinical considerations. You will also demonstrate competence in delivering exercise safely and effectively, with an understanding of when to progress, regress, or refer based on individual needs, responses, and health status. 

We are committed to providing an engaging, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that develops students’ knowledge, clinical reasoning, and practical skills.  

A central feature of our approach is simulation-based learning, which allows students to engage with realistic clinical scenarios in a safe and structured setting. Learning is carefully scaffolded: students begin with peer-to-peer role-play, exploring fundamental concepts, communication, and interpersonal skills; progress to case study simulations, applying evidence-based knowledge to increasingly complex injury scenarios; and ultimately integrate these skills into real-world practice within the University’s commercial clinics at Level 5 and 6. This structured progression ensures a seamless transition from theory to professional application while preparing students for graduate employability. 

The module is delivered predominantly face-to-face, combining theoretical understanding with hands-on practical experience to support deeper learning and to develop practical competence. Students refine their manual and technical skills through guided practice, live demonstrations, and independent tasks, consolidating knowledge while building confidence in healthcare and sport settings. 

To further support self-directed and reflective learning, students have access to our telehealth and greenscreen facilities, enabling the creation of digital learning resources for revision, skill development, and reflective practice. These activities encourage active engagement, critical thinking, and the integration of evidence-based knowledge into practical decision-making. 

Williamson, P. (2011). Exercise for special populations. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.  

Jacobs, P. L. (2017). NSCA's essentials of training special populations. Human Kinetics. 

Liguori, G., & American College of Sports Medicine. (2020). ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 

Moore, G., Durstine, J. L., Painter, P., & American College of Sports Medicine. (2016). Acsm's exercise management for persons with chronic diseases and disabilities, 4E. Human Kinetics 

Industry standard Teaching Clinic and Rehabilitation Zone 

State-of-the-Art Telehealth Hub