Training and Performance Enhancement

Module Identifier: BR34420
Module Title: Training and Performance Enhancement
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Semester: Semester 2
Co-ordinator: Dr Marco Arkesteijn
Reading List: View on Aspire
Other Staff: Dr Ruth Wonfor; Dr Ifat Shah; Dr Rhys Thatcher

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Lab Report: 2000 Words	50%
Semester Assessment	Presentation: 30 Minutes	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Presentation: 30 Minutes	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Lab Report: 2000 Words	50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Demonstrate advanced level knowledge and understanding of theories and principles in biomechanics and motor control.
Analyse the physiological demands of sports events and construct appropriately reasoned training schedules in order to optimise sports performance.
Demonstrate detailed and critical understanding of relevant contemporary scientific literature investigating interventions to improve sports performance.
Use a range of computer packages to analyse data and produce reports.

Brief description

This module will combine the principles of physiology and motor control to develop a training program encompassing strength and conditioning. The module will explore both physiological and biomechanical assessments 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. Students will be guided through the principles of 3D motion analysis, strength testing and physiology, with particular reference to strength and conditioning and sports performance.

Aims

To prepare students with the theoretical knowledge and practical expertise to optimise athletic performance through training and strength and conditioning. To develop skills in programme design and periodisation, coaching techniques, acute interventions, and the use of specialist equipment for strength, power, and speed development.

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:

- Muscle function and power during strength training
- Three-dimensional movement analysis
- Muscle fatigue
- Training theory
- Design and implementation of practical work to assess performance potential and efficacy of training/competition aids
- Design of training programs on the basis of physiological tests and sporting demands

Module skills

Skills type	Skills details
Communication	Presentation and scientific writing in laboratory report.
Information Technology	Various software programs will be used for data collection and data analysis and reporting.
Personal Development and Career planning	Collection of data that is used in real world settings. Provision of feedback during lectures and practicals and as part of coursework.
Problem solving	Identifying relevant dependent variables to quantify performance. Practical work: designing data collection and performing calculations. Construction of experimental study and training program.
Research skills	Designing a training program macro cycle.
Subject Specific Skills	Laboratory skills and data collection and processing skills. Combining physiological and biomechanical approaches to evaluate performance.
Team work	Implicit in laboratory work requiring human subjects and additional experimenters to be present for sophisticated measurement techniques.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6