Module Descriptors
EXERCISE FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS
SPOR60994
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 6
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Christopher Peil
Email: chris.peil@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 60
Independent Study Hours: 240
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- PRACTICAL - 20 MINUTES weighted at 100% - Learning outcome(s) assessed: 1,2,3
Module Details
LEARNING OUTCOMES
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¿¿
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¿¿
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
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.
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.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
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.
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.
WEB DESCRIPTOR
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.¿
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.¿
LEARNING STRATEGIES
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.¿
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.¿
TEXTS
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¿
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¿
RESOURCES
Industry standard Teaching Clinic and Rehabilitation Zone¿
State-of-the-Art¿Telehealth Hub
State-of-the-Art¿Telehealth Hub