Sport and Fitness

You develop instructing skills in a variety of sporting areas, including: athletics, aquatics, dance, gymnastics, individual sports, team sports and outdoor and adventurous activities. Your development needs are assessed at the beginning of the academic year to inform the sporting activities that are covered. You take part in practical-based lessons to develop your knowledge and physical competency which is followed by instructing practice to your peers.

Principles of Anatomy and Physiology gives you an understanding of the anatomical location, structure and physiological function of the musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory systems. Knowledge of each component allow comprehension of the inter-relationships between the body's systems and an understanding of how these systems change throughout their life course.

Principles of Fitness and Instruction gives you an understanding of fitness, training methods and the principles of training, as well as the skills to devise safe, effective and personal fitness programmes for yourself and others.

Psychology for Instructors of Sport and Fitness plays a key role in providing the underpinning knowledge of leadership and common psychological issues around sport and fitness such as body image, motivation and goal setting. The areas of sport leadership focus upon the coaching philosophy, leadership styles and communication. The knowledge gained enhances your awareness of the many facets to successful leadership and introduces you to the psychological issues in the fitness-based environment.

Research and Study Skills in Sport and Fitness provides an introduction to research and the accompanying requisite study skills, such as planning and time management. It enables you to be able to research effectively using a variety of sources and reference appropriately. You undertake a self-analysis of your current academic skills and – through a series of lectures and seminars – develop the appropriate skills necessary to read, write and research at university level.

You study the legal and ethical policies such as child protection, safeguarding and health and safety that are relevant when working with children and young people. You develop the knowledge and understanding of the key policies, procedures and relevant legislations that play a role in delivering physical activity sessions to children. You take part in a combination of lectures and seminars.

Fitness Training and Programming provides you with the foundation knowledge and basic practical skills to make you an informed and competent practitioner of fitness training and programming. You cover the physiological responses to many aspects associated with strength, conditioning, training, and the science of SAQ training and overtraining. You also learn the basics of functional assessment and planning and delivering of fitness testing in a safe and suitable way.

Healthy Lifestyle gives you an understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the link between nutrition, lifestyle choices and health. You learn to give scientifically sound advice to individuals seeking help to improve their diet and lifestyle choices for preventive purposes, for weight management or to improve or prevent health conditions.

You study biomechanics and skill acquisition in fitness and physical activity settings, and learn to apply theory to why people move their bodies to complete techniques during fitness and physical activity, and how techniques can be altered to improve performance or reduce injury.

Practical Experience in Sport and Fitness builds on the level 4 module Instructing Sports Activities. It gives you the opportunity to apply your instructing skills in your field of interest e.g. primary, secondary, extracurricular clubs, fitness industry, etc.

You accumulate 60 hours of practical experience either leading under supervision or in a supporting role to a qualified teacher, coach or instructor. The module will initially be delivered by a short series of lectures and seminars. Practical experience should begin at week 5 through to 25. Support is provided by the module tutor in individual tutorials.

Research Methods in Sport and Fitness builds on the level 4 module Research and Study Skills. It takes steps towards teaching you how to critically analyse various sources of literature. It also makes advancements towards different types of research and design. The focus is taken away from the study skills element and is addressed towards building competency in research design. The purpose of this is to allow for a greater diversity in the development of a research proposal. The module is delivered by a series of lectures and seminars.