SP5034 - Principles of Strength and Conditioning

The module uses a mixture of online, classroom, and practical delivery to teach the key concepts under study. The module takes a “flipped” classroom approach to learning: each topic is prefaced by pre-session material, which may include a mix of online lectures, readings from peer-reviewed journals, books, podcasts, and blogs. Classroom sessions work to extend and consolidate this material, and practical sessions with accredited practitioners will apply this new knowledge and understanding to practical contexts in order to facilitate an understanding of the delivery of strength and conditioning activities. Post-session material will be provided to extend your learning and allow you to explore areas of interest in more depth.

An introductory lecture will put the module into context with the rest of your degree programme, explain how your study will progress on the module and describe how, through engagement in the module, you will begin to learn and acquire the skills required of a strength and conditioning coach. Ongoing formative feedback will be provided in practical sessions, which will be supported by provision of post-session online teaching material to reinforce what is taught in practical sessions.

If this module is in option pot two for your programme, you will receive advice and guidance at a module options event to help you make an informed decision about how it fits with your own academic and professional development. Online pre-learning material will be made available to help you prepare for the module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Analyse and apply knowledge from physiology and biomechanics to the study of athletic training modes;
2. Apply knowledge to solve problems in strength and conditioning contexts

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Apply the skills of an independent learner to the study of strength and conditioning

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Communicate clearly and effectively to athletic and academic audiences in oral format;
5. Demonstrate an understanding of professional and ethical standards in strength and conditioning contexts

You will be assessed through means of a practical coaching session (30%; 15 minutes), and a written exam (70%; 2 hours) consisting of multi-choice and short answer questions. The practical session will require you to design and deliver an appropriate warm-up, coach a speed, agility or plyometrics drill, and verbally explain your rationale for exercise selection in response to questioning (15 mins). The written exam will consist of a range of multiple choice and short answer questions that will cover the range of content studied on the module (2 hours).

The practical assessment will address K&U 2, IPA 3, PVA 4,5. The written exam will cover K&U 1,2, IPA3 and PVA 5. This assessment strategy is designed to align with the requirements of UK Strength & Conditioning Association (UKSCA), and National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) Accreditation.

Formative assessment:
Throughout the module you will engage with the scientific underpinning and technical instruction of the training modalities under study. Scheduled sessions will include peer and tutor reviewed practise attempts at tasks similar to what will be required in the summative assessment. Comprehension tasks consisting of MCQ’s and short answer essay style questions on the topics under study will be provided each week, followed by model answers for students to self-reflect on their work.

Summative Feedback
You will receive written or audio feedback on your summative assessment to help you identify areas of strength and areas for development. There will be the opportunity to discuss your feedback with a member of staff during a tutorial.

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On this module you will study the discipline of strength and conditioning, and the role of the strength and conditioning coach within the performance enhancement process in sport. You will study a range of training modalities, including resistance exercise, speed and agility, and plyometrics, with an emphasis on technical instruction and the application of physiological and biomechanical principles to understand the modality under study. The module will be of particular interest to students interested in learning more about a career in strength and conditioning.