SP0737 - Physiology of Strength and Conditioning

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 practicals will equip you with novel laboratory skills and illuminate the topics studied in a practical context. Learning will be student-driven, with teaching focusing around 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.

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.

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)

At the end of the module successful students should be able to:

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

This module requires completion of two pieces of summative assessment, being:

Case study practical: design and implementation of a physiological assessment with a real athlete/client (40%) (MLO 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. You will work in small groups (3-5 students) to select a case study, and then design and conduct a physiological assessment that is appropriate to the athlete/client. You will be assessed on your practical skills, your ability to work within a team, and your interactions with your athlete/client.

Case study report (60%, 2000 words) (MLO 1, 2, 3,4)

You will write a two-part report based on the data collected. The first part will be a client report, where you will present the client’s results, alongside an interpretation of the scores and recommendations for training, in a layperson friendly manner. The second part will be an academic essay, where you will explain and justify the rationale for your choice of assessment, and your recommendations for training..


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 lecturers 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.

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The aim of this module is to enable you to develop an advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the physiological factors underpinning strength and conditioning practice and research. You will critically engage with contemporary issues relating to the role of an applied physiologist, and will apply this knowledge to conduct an assessment and report for a real athlete/client.. Indicative content includes examination of; training responses and adaptations, energy systems (physiology & training), training and competing in extreme environments, exercise-induced muscle damage and recovery from training, and exercise preparation. This module has consistently scored highly in student satisfaction.