Sports Science Course

The sports science industry has been growing at a massive rate in recent times. With this growth comes the need for more qualified sports scientists who can work within this fascinating industry. The purpose of sports science is consider the scientific principles and approaches that can be used in order to enhance sporting performance.

Sports Science considers a range of different disciplines and includes areas such as:
1)    Biomechanics
2)    Anatomy and Physiology
3)    Psychology
4)    Sports Nutrition
5)    Performance Analysis
6)    Technology used in Sport

This Level 3 Sports Science home study course is designed to equip you with the skills you need to work in the industry. This course aims to teach you how to analyse the way in which the human body reacts to various factors and how they can all contribute towards enhanced athletic performance.

Lesson 1: Functional anatomy
The learning outcomes for this unit are:

• Understand terminology
• Describe key structures and the function of the skeleton
• Explain joint classifications
• Describe key structures of the muscular system

Lesson 2: Biomechanics
The learning outcomes for this unit are:

• Understand the term biomechanics
• Understand movement technology used in biomechanics
• Understand Newton's law of motion
• Understand kinematics and kinetics
• Understand projectile motion

Lesson 3: Exercise physiology
The learning outcomes for this unit are:

• Define human homeostasis
• Explain energy metabolism with the human body
• Demonstrate an understanding of cardiovascular and respiratory systems
• Describe how the human body responds to exercise

Lesson 4: Fitness training and testing
The learning outcomes for this unit are:

• Explain the psychological adaptations that result from fitness training
• Understand the principles behind effective fitness training
• Describe different methods of fitness training
• Describe methods for testing fitness across a range of fitness components

Lesson 5: Nutrition for Health and performance
The learning outcomes for this unit are:

• The importance of a balanced and varied diet
• Dietary reference values and healthy eating principles
• Basic dietary assessment methods
• Performance nutrition strategies

Lesson 6: Sports psychology
The learning outcomes for this unit are:

• Know the roles of a sports psychologist
• Know the different professional associations within sports psychology
• Understand the importance of motivation in sport
• Understand the influences of arousal, stress and anxiety in sport
• Understand methods of enhancing the performance of athletes

Lesson 7: Coaching science
The learning outcomes for this unit are:

• Understand what sport is
• Understand the concept of sports coaching
• Appreciate the areas of sports science impacting on coaching
• Understand what coaching science is
• Explain the main theories of learning in relation to coaching
• Understand learning styles, coaching styles and multiple intelligences
• Understand the process of communication and the communication channels used by coaches

Lesson 8: Performance analysis
The learning outcomes for this unit are:

• Know the purpose of performance analysis at different levels of sport
• Know the cycle of completing performance analysis in sport
• Know the different performance criteria used in performance analysis
• Know methods of performance analysis and the use of technology
• Know how to provide feedback after analysing performance

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.