SP7010 - Physiology of Sport Performance

What will I learn on this module?

You will critically engage with contemporary issues relating to the physiology of sport performance and will apply this knowledge to conduct an assessment and report for a real athlete/client. You will study the physiology of training from an assessment and adaptation perspective, in order to understand how exercise interventions can be designed to target specific physiological adaptation, and how these adaptations can be quantified through appropriate physiological assessment. You will also study the long-term planning process and how knowledge of adaptation can be applied to the prescription of training.

How will I learn on this module?

The taught content will be delivered and provided in a variety of formats, and you will be able to access materials on the eLP. There will be the opportunity to work in smaller groups with discipline specific members of staff who will facilitate context driven discussion and learning. You will also be set independent tasks informed by key literature to complete outside of class time to further develop your understanding of the taught content.

You will learn through a range of teaching and learning strategies, which includes lectures, practical sessions, and independent study. Lectures and seminars will work with your pre-understanding and provide key information on the topics of study, whereas laboratory practical’s will equip you with novel laboratory skills and illuminate the topics studied in a practical context. Learning will be student-driven, with teaching focusing on problem-based learning principles of delivery. The practical sessions take place in Sports Central and seek to support the theoretical components of the module. The assessment will be in two parts; a group assessment where you will select and conduct a physiological assessment of an athlete, and a written report consisting of an academic rationale for your assessment intervention, and a client report. A problem-based learning approach will be employed whereby you will engage with contemporary questions relating to the topics of study. This approach will facilitate a deeper understanding and more meaningful learning process.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Module information, assessment requirements and expectations, and important module announcements will be made through the eLP. Material to support your learning will be uploaded in advance of sessions. You will be provided with content verbally and guided through tasks during timetabled sessions. A dedicated assessment session will afford you the opportunity to ask assessment related questions in class. The Module Leader is there to support you with any queries that you may have about the module content, and all staff members provide tutorial time outside of class time. Module tutors will provide you with the necessary information on how to arrange a tutorial. You will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on your development during the module, and you will receive feedback on summative work 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. There is also further academic skills support available from the University Library services.

You will be expected to engage with extensive independent reading and critical discussion with both peers and members of staff. This will be supported both in-class and by online resources. Support will include feedback from tutors during small-group seminars and tutorials. In addition, tutors will respond to questions via the module’s discussion board at the University’s eLearning Portal so that the whole group can benefit.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the physiological factors underpinning the athletic development process

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Critically evaluate the physiology underpinning assessment and training, and apply this evidence in a real-world context
3. Adopt a rigorous, ethical approach to the collection, analysis and presentation of data

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

4. Communicate effectively in academic and professional contexts, and work effectively as part of a team

How will I be assessed?

This module requires completion of two individually marked summative assessments, these being;

A needs analysis and lab testing session of an athlete conducted in small groups and marked individually (30%, 1h, MLO 2,3,4).

Submission of an academic report containing application of the data and information collected in the needs analysis and athlete testing session to a long-term training plan to improve important relevant physical qualities identified (70%, 3000 words, MLO 1,2,3,4).

You will be given a selection of case studies, from a range of sports, of real athletes/clients wishing to partake in physiological assessment. Individually you will select a case study, and then design and conduct a physiological assessment that is appropriate to the athlete/client and will guide your long-term training prescription.

Prior to your case study practical assessment you will be required to submit a proforma detailing your planned physiological assessments, with a brief rationale for each. You will receive formative feedback on this before any summative work, which may be used to help you improve your final submission.

The problem-based learning approach encourages active learning and engagement with the topics under study. The lecturer’s role is one of facilitator, with feedback given regularly on the success or otherwise of your interaction with the discipline under study, both on an individual and group basis.

The lecturer will be responsible for guiding you in your pursuit of knowledge, providing formative feedback during this process. This will take the form of questions prompting you to question your new knowledge, and verbal feedback on the depth and criticality of your interactions with the topic under study. Written summative feedback will be provided. Both generic (posted to the e-learning portal) and individual summative feedback will be provided on assessment components

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

On Physiology of /sport Performance you will study the physiology of exercise training and the skills, knowledge, and experiences of an applied physiologist. You will learnhow to test athlete’s physical capacities, and how specific training means can be used to target specific physiological adaptation within the stress-recovery-adaptation process. You will learn key skills and knowledge required of an applied physiologist, and will apply these learnings to conduct an assessment and report for a real athlete/client.

Course info
study a masters in 2025

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years Part Time
1 other options available

Department Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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