Strength and Conditioning

Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Master of Science - MS

Alternative Exit

Award Description:Postgraduate Diploma - PD

Award Learning Outcomes:Demonstrate a critical understanding of strength and conditioning and be able to implement this knowledge into athlete-centred practical advice. Demonstrate an in-depth critical understanding of the physiological, biomechanical and psychological factors affecting strength and conditioning applied practice. Demonstrate an understanding of training and pre- and rehabilitation strategies and be able to translate this into clear and informative delivery to athletes. Demonstrate an ability to select and implement appropriate strength and conditioning assessment techniques and demonstrate a critical awareness of the limitations of all of these. Demonstrate a critical awareness of research design and statistical analysis. Demonstrate effective communication with athletes, coaches and support staff.

Alternative Exit

Award Description:Postgraduate Certificate - PC

Programme Offerings

Full-Time

F2F-JMU-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

To develop the students' theoretical and practical skills in strength and conditioning; To provide students with the knowledge and critical analytical skills to challenge current strength and conditioning paradigms; To develop qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment in roles requiring initiative and personal responsibility, decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations, and independent learning-ability required for continuing professional development; To develop graduates, who are able to embark on a career as world-class strength and conditioning practitioners and/or in academics; To enable students to become accredited by the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) by aligning the programme with the UKSCA accreditation requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the fundamental principles of strength and conditioning, supported by in-depth critical knowledge of classical and contemporary literature.

Apply problem solving skills to the nutritional care of athletes.

Implement knowledge of evidence based strength and conditioning and apply this to the management of athletes' needs.

Produce a piece of independent research in journal article format.

Assimilate, integrate and critically discuss research findings.

Communicate effectively and work with athletes and coaching staff.

Develop and implement effective strength and conditioning advice to athletes/workers.

Critically evaluate the need for reflective practice and demonstrate reflection within strength and conditioning consultancy.

Accurately assess physiological, biomechanical and psychological factors underpinning athlete performance.

10.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the limitations of the above assessments/techniques.

11.

Develop note taking and interviewing techniques when working with elite athletes

12.

Demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of strength and conditioning techniques.

13.

Use IT to prepare, process and present information.

14.

Recognise and describe problems, plan and implement solutions.

15.

Interpret numerical information.

16.

Communicate effectively with peers and members of the sports/applied community.

17.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the physiological factors that affect strength and conditioning practice, supported by classical and contemporary literature.

18.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the biomechanical factors that affect strength and conditioning practice, supported by classical and contemporary literature.

19.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the psychological factors that affect strength and conditioning practice, supported by classical and contemporary literature.

20.

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of research methods applicable to strength and conditioning and an ability to design, implement and interpret novel research projects in strength and conditioning.

21.

Critically evaluate the appropriateness of a research design.

22.

Critically evaluate data analysis procedures.

23.

Apply report and interpret a range of data analysis procedures.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Lectures, seminars, group work, laboratory practicals, tutorial support. Laboratory reports, case studies, literature reviews, essays, oral presentations, exams, statistical reports, viva voce.

Opportunities for work related learning

Work-related learning will be a key aspect of this degree and will be built into the four applied modules. Module Leaders of these four modules will have significant experience in strength and conditioning research and applied practice. Moreover, industry experts will be invited to give guest lectures on highly specialised topics. However, the major work-based learning will occur in Semester 3, when students will complete a work placement in an appropriate sport/applied setting. This module will build upon the work-related skills taught in the two semester 1 and one semester 2 applied modules, and will give the students the chance to practise these skills in a real working context. As well as being supervised by a highly experienced academic researcher/practitioner, the student will receive on-site supervision through the placement provider. Placements will be secured with various sports/applied working organisations.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

To obtain an MSc in Strength and Conditioning, students must pass 180 Level 7 credits. Intermediate awards are Postgraduate Certificate (all taught modules comprising a total of 60 Level 7 credits except module 7150SPOSCI Applied Placement for Strength and Conditioning) and Postgraduate Diploma (all taught modules comprising a total of … For more content click the Read More button below.

To obtain an MSc in Strength and Conditioning, students must pass 180 Level 7 credits. Intermediate awards are Postgraduate Certificate (all taught modules comprising a total of 60 Level 7 credits except module 7150SPOSCI Applied Placement for Strength and Conditioning) and Postgraduate Diploma (all taught modules comprising a total of 120 Level 7 credits except module 7150SPOSCI Applied Placement for Strength and Conditioning).

Course Catalogue