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Exercise and Fitness Prescription

  • Module code: LS4801
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 4
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This module aims to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of exercise prescription in a professional setting. This will include client assessment and gym based testing and programme construction. It will also develop the knowledge derived from functional anatomy and exercise physiology and apply this in a practical setting. This will enable students to prescribe programmes for athletes from various sporting backgrounds with a variety of goals using complimentary training methods.

Aims

  • To examine various gym-based testing procedures that are linked to programme planning for a variety of clients and athletes.
  • To develop a detailed understanding of the approaches to training and training methods used to enhance performance.
  • To equip the students with the knowledge to plan appropriate programmes for a variety of goals.
  • To understand the physiological changes that various approaches to training and training methods elicit.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Assess a client's fitness goals and apply appropriate gym-based testing to acertain baseline data
  • Evaluate relevant data and propose appropriate approaches to training and associated training methods to meet fitness goals
  • Use practical equipment accurately and demonstrate awareness of, and the practical competencies in testing and assessment. 
  • Demonstrate effective client consultation and competence in the provision of programmes

Curriculum content

  • Health Screening and Risk Stratification procedures used by the industry
  • Physiological gym-based testing tools - protocols, validity and reliability (1Repetition Max, Multi stage fitness test, Vertical Jump, 35m sprint etc.)
  • Training approaches and methods for selected physiological systems (cardiovascular, muscular and nervous)
  • Physiological adaptations to exercise and training (hypertrophy, increased stroke volume, improved muscle fibre recruitment etc.)
  • Practical competency in the evaluation of fitness assessment and gym-based testing
  • Programme planning to meet fitness goals
  • Issues/implications/benefits of exercise programmes for special populations and diseases (various disabilities, pregnancy, multiple sclerosis etc.)

Teaching and learning strategy

Learning will be led by teaching sessions, workshops and practical sessions in order to develop and practice the skills necessary to confidently and competently undertake performance testing and programme construction that is commonly used in the industry.  Lectures are used to provide information on gym-based testing methodologies, training programmes and associated physiological adaptions. This will then be built upon in practical sessions and complemented by seminars where appropriate. Much of the learning is achieved through formative practical challenges, directed independent study tasks, group work and/or class discussion, creative problem solving (case studies) formative presentations and peer-evaluation. The knowledge-based materials for the module are provided by the module team on Canvas. These consist of (but are not limited to) notes, diagrams, research articles and multi-media. It is an expectation that students arrive to seminars having completed the pre-directed study tasks and use Canvas (online learning platform) to enhance their understanding, remaining up to date with the weekly reading. These tasks will allow students to monitor both progress through feedback from peers and summative assessment and feed forward advice to develop understanding. Further support in the practical performance aspects of the module can be received by visiting the RuTC fitness gym facility during the staffed opening hours.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching Lecture (36); Practical (48) 84
Guided independent study (Reading materials; directed study tasks; online tasks – 108); (skills practice - 108) 216
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

Lecture, seminar and practical sessions will provide practical feed forward guidance and formative experimental opportunities to help students achieve their full potential in the summative assessment. Further formative assessment will be provided through the use of practice challenges for the practical examination as well as utilising (but not limited to) creative problem-solving case studies, group tasks and presentations as well as online tasks. These formative tasks will allow students to monitor both progress through feedback from peers and feed forward advice to develop understanding and application for summative assessment.

The learning outcomes will be summatively assessed through 2 categories; a practical exam and coursework. The practical exam will consist of selecting, justifying and carrying out gym based tests on a client, depending on their fitness goals, and accurately recording the data. The field report will consist of evaluations of the data and the recommendations that it elicits via the production of a gym based programme.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
1) Assess a client's fitness goals and apply appropriate gym-based testing to ascertain baseline data Practical competency (F) and practical exam (S)
2) Evaluate relevant data and propose appropriate approaches to training and associated training methods to meet fitness goals Formative group work/ gym-based tasks (F) and coursework assignment (S).
3) Use practical equipment accurately and demonstrate awareness of, and the practical competencies in testing and assessment Practical competency (S) and formative gym-based tasks (F)
4) Demonstrate effective client consultation and competence in the provision of programmes Practical competency (F), practical exam (S) and Coursework assignment (S)

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
VIVA (oral exam) Practical exam 20
Practical exam Practical exam 30
Field report Coursework 50
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any major element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Haff, G and Triplett, N (2015) Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. 4th edn. Champaign, Illinois, USA: Human Kinetics.

Jacobs, P (2018) NSCA's Essentials of Training Special Populations. Champaign, Illinois, USA: Human Kinetics.

Bibliography recommended reading

Crossley, J. (2013) Personal training: theory and practice. London: Hodder Education.

Delavier, F. (2010) Strength Training Anatomy. 3rd edn. Champaign, Illinois, USA: Human Kinetics.

Dick, F.W. (2007) Sports training principles. 5th edn. London: A & C Black.

The fitness instructor's handbook: a complete guide to health and fitness. (2013) London: A & C Black.

Katch, V.L., McArdle, W.D. and Katch, F.I. (2010) Essentials of exercise physiology. 4th edn. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA: Wolters Kluwer / Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins

Yessis, M. (1992) Kinesiology of exercise: a safe and effective way to improve athletic performance. Indianapolis, IN, USA: Masters Press.

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