Module Identifier SS32220  
Module Title PHYSIOLOGY OF TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Mark Burnley  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Dr Glen Davison  
Pre-Requisite SS22020 OR RS21020  
Course delivery Lecture   5 x 2 hour lecture per semester  
  Seminars / Tutorials   6 x 2 hour seminars per semester  
  Practical   9 x 2 hour practicals per semester  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam 30 minute individual presentation of training programme50%
Semester Assessment 3,000 word individual experimental report50%
Supplementary Exam2 Hours Examination100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Analyse the physiological demands of sports events and construct appropriately reasoned training schedules in order to optimise sports performance

Design and conduct scientific experimentation into acute interventions aimed at improving performance or mitigating fatigue

Demonstrate detailed and critical understanding of relevant contemporary scientific literature investigating sports performance and training

Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate detailed scientific information in both oral and written formats

Analyse and apply test data to the real-life situation, both in terms of training programme construction and the critical appraisal of the efficacy of methods designed to improve performance.

Aims

An understanding of the physiological mechanisms responsible for sports performance and training adaptations is essential for any graduate of sport and exercise science intending to work with athletic groups and those individuals using regular exercise as a means of improving physical fitness. Sports performance can be seen as the optimisation of performance potential through training and the minimisation of fatigue induced performance decrements during the performance itself. An understanding of those mechanisms that might induce fatigue and methods of reducing its influence is also crucial in performance preparation. This module will therefore consider both performance aspects in detail.

Brief description

The module will develop and extend the work done at level 2 (SS22020) into consideration of how the results of tests of physiological function can be used to both design sports training programmes and evaluate the efficacy of methods intended to improve acute sports performance or mitigate physical fatigue. There will be a strong focus on laboratory work in order to apply real-life data to practice throughout the module.

Content

The module is designed specifically to maximise student-driven learning, and as such tutor-led content is intended to provide a framework, only, for in-depth personal study of training and performance. The module will be composed of the following content:
Parameters of endurance and intermittent sports performance
Parameters of muscle function and power
Concepts of fatigue
Training theory
Design and implementation of practical work to assess performance potential and efficacy of training/competition aids
Design of training programmes on the basis of physiological tests and sporting demands

Module Skills

Problem solving Construction of experimental study and training programme.  
Research skills Design and implementation of experimental work, followed by 3000 word write-up.  
Communication Both written and oral communication form the module assessment.  
Improving own Learning and Performance The majority of student workload is independent study, requiring non-directed reading on topics related to lecture content and assessments  
Team work Implicit in laboratory work requiring human subjects and additional experimenters to be present for sophisticated measurement techniques.  
Information Technology Oral and written communication will utilise software packages for data analysis and presentation.  
Application of Number Analysis of laboratory data an integral part of preparation of both the oral presentation and laboratory report.  
Personal Development and Career planning This module is vocationally relevant for those entering the sport and exercise industry.  

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6