- Anatomy and Physiology for Sport and Exercise
An understanding of anatomy and physiology forms the basis for a number of other areas relating to training, fitness, fitness testing, physical activity and various therapeutic techniques. In this unit learners will study the structure and function of the human body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory and musculo-skeletal), intracellular processes and the endocrine and nervous systems. Learners will also be required to understand the homeostatic control mechanisms for each perspective at rest and during exercise.
Fitness professionals require an understanding of intra-cellular processes including sources of energy, the rate and capacity of aerobic and anaerobic energy release as a basis of training programmes and fitness assessment. Furthermore, knowledge of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, the musculo-skeletal system, intracellular processes and the endocrine and nervous systems provides the basis for understanding training methods and training adaptations.
There is an increasing emphasis on raising levels of physical activity and the role exercise can play in preventing or combating various diseases. Knowledge of energy balance and the endocrine system will help learners understand obesity. An understanding of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems will aid future learning on various diseased states such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or coronary heart disease.
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
Successful sport performance is dependent upon many scientific disciplines. However, increasingly there is an awareness of the link between what a sport and exercise participant is thinking and the outcomes they achieve. Understanding the experiences of sport and exercise participants and the psychological skills they are employing is the focus of sport psychology.
This unit addresses key concepts in sport psychology that are relevant to sports performance. Whilst the focus of sport psychology is on performance in competitive sport, the focus of exercise psychology is on exercise/physical activity and the role exercise plays in establishing optimal mental health.
The unit looks at motivation and the range of factors that will influence motivation in different situations. The unit also looks at the related concepts of arousal, anxiety and stress. Anxiety and stress are linked to arousal as they are generally experienced at high levels of arousal and they can have a positive or negative effect on an individual and their performance.
The unit also examines group dynamics and the range of processes involved in developing a group that functions effectively, such as cohesion and leadership.
The issue of exercise adherence through successful behaviour change is a key concept and models of behaviour change are examined as well as the relationship between exercise and mental health.
Sport has become an important part of society. It has moved away from its playful beginnings in pre-industrial times and it is now a prominent social institution in almost every society. It has evolved from a pastime into a multi-national operation controlled by commercialism, entertainment, media and government policy.
The unit learners a focus on the issues and debates that preoccupy sports and their providers at a strategic level. Sport has become a tool to alleviate many of the social issues affecting society today, such as health, crime, and inactivity. Many of these reflect current agendas of national and local government and address the challenges of satisfying the aspirations of society.
This unit develops learners’ awareness of the influence that media and marketing has in international and European relations alongside national developments such as hosting the Olympic Games which recognises the political meaning of sport to many societies not just within Britain.
Inequalities in society such as gender class and racial inequality are often mirrored within sport. In this unit, learners will have the chance to analyse these issues of inequality by applying theory.
Learners will evaluate local, regional and national initiatives that have used sport to encourage social inclusion and eliminate social barriers at all levels.
- Research Methods for Sport and Exercise Sciences
Research methods is the branch of sport and exercise sciences that aims to enhance human knowledge on a given topic. It is essential for all elements of sport and exercise sciences and without it there would be very little credibility to any of the applied work that is conducted within each of the different disciplines within sport and exercise science.
This unit will introduce learners to each of the different areas of understanding within research methods, starting with being able to find and read journal articles to develop subject knowledge in a given area and culminating with to having an applied knowledge of the different quantitative and qualitative techniques that are commonly used within sport and exercise science research.
The knowledge and skills gained from this unit will be ideal for learners wanting to progress to further study and/or sports related careers such as sports science, sports therapy, physical activity, personal training, strength and conditioning or research.
- Training and Fitness for Sport and Exercise
Training and fitness has inherent applications within all areas of sport and exercise sciences and sports therapy as it examines the different fitness requirements of different sports and athletes, the training methods that can benefit these areas and the changes that can occur with an individual or team as a result of the adopted methods. The principles of training and fitness can be particularly important for sport and exercise scientists working with sport and exercise performers who are trying to peak for competition and sports therapists that are working with performers in the later stages of functional rehabilitation.
In this unit there is a combination of both theoretical and applied learning contexts which will allow learners to examine traditional principles of training in a practical learning environment. Learners will also discover how to use essential practical techniques in training environments through investigating different training techniques. This will allow for a greater understanding of the key physiological, biomechanical and psychological changes that can benefit performance. Learners will also adopt an evidence-based practice approach to their work on training programmes which will help them to prepare for the continuing rigours of Higher Education and careers within sport and exercise sciences, sports therapy and other related areas.
- Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Lifestyle plays a very important role in the health and wellbeing of an individual. Individuals who lead a healthy lifestyle are likely to live longer and cope better with the daily demands of life. A poor lifestyle can also increase the risk of a number of diseases including coronary heart disease, cancer and obesity.
An understanding of the effects lifestyle can have upon health and how to improve the lifestyle of an individual is important to individuals working in the sport and fitness sector. This unit is particularly relevant for individuals wanting to work in health promotion and exercise and fitness instruction.
The unit covers exercise, diet, stress, smoking and alcohol consumption and the ways that these factors can affect the quality of life of an individual. In this unit, learners will examine the relationship between lifestyle and health and look at current recommended dietary guidelines as well as methods of weight management. Learners will also explore strategies to manage stress, reduce alcohol consumption and stop smoking, analysing their success and effect on the ‘health of the nation’. This unit provides opportunities for learners to plan, cost and manage a lifestyle improvement programme for a selected individual.
- Injury Prevention and Treatment in Sport and Exercise
This unit provides learners with an opportunity to consider the most common sport and exercise injuries in relation to specific sports and in relation to how they may be prevented.
Learners will investigate causal issues and the physiological evidence for the specified injuries will clearly link their effect on the nervous and musculoskeletal system.
This will give learners an understanding of causal factors and therefore inform the preventative measures that need to be implemented.
The unit also provides an opportunity for learners to examine the importance of immediate and appropriate treatment where necessary. Learners will be encouraged to utilise this underpinning knowledge in order to consider effective treatment and rehabilitation where appropriate.
- Technology in Sport and Exercise
Technological developments in the diagnosis and treatment of injury may return the athlete to training and competition quicker than ever before. Once fully fit, the technological advancement in training methods and equipment are known to enhance performance.
New technology impacts on all involved in sport, whether as designer, athlete, coach, manager, official, supporter, or health practitioner. Innovative rehabilitation methods are often key to the rapid and successful return of the individual to performance.
The assumption should not be that all technological advancements in sport are advantageous to the athlete. Learners will understand how to discriminate between the positive and negative impacts of new design and technology on the individual, team, or sport industry as a whole.
In this unit learners will investigate the relationship between technology and sports performance including the evolutionary development, current application, and implications of technology for the future of sporting performance.
Upon successful completion of First Year, student is awarded an HNC (Higher National Certificate) at EQF/MQF Level 5 by Pearson.