Sports Therapy

The aim of the module is to cover the normal human anatomy and physiology across the lifespan and will include the physiological, structural, behavioural and functional changes associated with selected pathology and disease progression in the musculoskeletal and neurological systems.  The module will cover pathology as well so that students are able to appreciate normal anatomy and the causes and effects on anatomy through disease and injury. The module will cover control of movement, as it relates to function, key psychosocial theories and the specific applications to from Sports Therapy interventions and management. The module will include a practical element to put anatomy into practice by identifying and locating different soft tissue structures and bony points. The module will utilise the basic research skills such as literature searching, information processing and critiquing, evidence-based practice and using evidence where appropriate.

This module aims to introduce the basic concepts of biomechanics and relate these to human movement and sport performance. Students undertaking this module will extend and add to their knowledge of biomechanics and will gain the foundation of knowledge required for sport and exercise biomechanics modules at levels five and six.

This module helps students understand the issues inherent in working as a professional within the sport and health settings. The focus is on the individual, how to situate themselves within the professional working environment and conduct themselves as a professional. Students will understand how to maintain a Personal Development Portfolio, how to reflect on activities and experiences and develop a personal analysis, setting goals and personal objectives. The module will include professionalism, codes of conduct, performance and ethics, values-based practice, information governance, confidentiality and the legal and policy frameworks that underpin Sports Therapy practice. The module will adopt a macro to micro view of sport and health settings involving sector structures, organisations, roles of national/ international bodies that run sport and Sports Therapy.  Reference will be made to relevant models and frameworks for delivery, and different emphases internationally, and how this translates down to local and individual professional practice.

This module will introduce the importance of research and explore the different philosophies that underpin scientific research in sport and exercise. It will also introduce a variety of specific qualitative and quantitative methods appropriate for the interdisciplinary study of sport and exercise. Consideration will also be given to key concepts such as validity, reliability and ethics.

The aim of the module is to cover the normal human anatomy and physiology across the lifespan and will include the physiological, structural, behavioural and functional changes associated with selected pathology and disease progression in the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, renal and digestive systems. The module will also cover pain theory as it relates to function, and the relationship to Sports Therapy interventions and management. The module will cover pathology as well so that students are able to appreciate normal anatomy and the causes and effects on anatomy through disease and injury. The module will utilise the basic research skills such as literature searching, information processing and critiquing, evidence-based practice and using evidence where appropriate.

The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to sports Therapy practice as context for their studies over the 3 years of the programme and provide the requisite first aid necessary to support practice. The module will cover first aid principles, analysis of normal movement and gait as a foundation for moving onto exercise principles, design and principles of exercise prescription [health and safety, planning, designing, supporting, instructing]. An introduction to anthropometric and ergonomic principles will also be explored in the context of sport and sports therapy. The module will utilise the basic research skills such as literature searching, information processing and critiquing, evidence based practice and using evidence where appropriate.

This module will cover the basics subjective and objective assessment of clients, the clinical reasoning and decision making process, to plan, select and apply safe and effective soft tissue and massage techniques.

This module will examine quantitative approaches to research in sport. An emphasis will be placed on practical research skills (e.g., key methods of data collection, management, analysis) and critical skills (e.g., evaluating research papers and methods), alongside a broad awareness of ethical issues in sport research.

The aims of this module are to further progress the clinical reasoning and organisation of musculoskeletal knowledge gained in level 4. The module will use a case based approach to develop students’ knowledge into specific pathologies affecting the peripheral joints. There is a strong focus on clinical reasoning and the module will explore a variety of common peripheral musculoskeletal conditions and sporting injuries. This module will cover the evidence based integrated assessment and management of the different common conditions using case studies with selected behavioural, psychosocial and physical elements. The module will cover the safe and effective application of Sport Therapy assessment (including commonly used special tests), manual therapy, physiological and accessory techniques, electrotherapy and other modalities of management of peripheral joint problems as well as the relevant moving and handling, legislation and risk assessment procedures. 

This module will examine those psychological factors that affect physical activity and exercise behaviour. Specifically, this module will use theories and behavioural models to examine the possible barriers related to the adoption and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle in an environment where sedentary living is becoming ever more prevalent. The psychological processes that underpin the physical activity and exercise motivation literature will then be used to appraise the specific intervention programmes that practitioners may undertake.

This module offers an introduction to the study of communication skills and supports students to develop their skills and theoretical knowledge to be effective communicators and build more effective professional working relationships with clients regardless of age, intellect or social group. This module will engage students in contemporary discussions about the need for ongoing continuous professional development in relation to communication skills and examine a range of factors and their potential impact upon the approach adopted by the Sports Therapist. This module will help students to understand difficult concepts and explore some of the fundamental questions and challenges in communication skills training today. Using examples from across the globe, students will be encouraged to reflect on their basic assumptions with regards to communication skills, emphasising effective communication within the model and process of sports therapy practice and the development of transferable academic skills and critical thinking.

The aims of this module are to further progress the clinical reasoning and organisation of musculoskeletal knowledge gained in level 4. The module will use a case based approach to develop students’ knowledge into specific pathologies affecting the spinal joints. There is a strong focus on clinical reasoning and the module will explore a variety of common spinal musculoskeletal conditions and sporting injuries. This module will cover the evidence based integrated assessment and management of the different common conditions using case studies with selected behavioural, psychosocial and physical elements. The module will cover the safe and effective application of Sport Therapy assessment (including commonly used special tests), manual therapy, physiological and accessory techniques and modalities of management of spinal joint problems as well as the relevant moving and handling, legislation and risk assessment procedures. 

This module aims to provide students with the physiological knowledge that underpins the effect of various clinical and discuss the scientific principles, concepts, theories and practice of sports performance and the factors that influence it. The module will explore areas of screening, fitness assessment and testing and body measurements. There will be some focus on specific conditions of the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system, neurological conditions, diabetes and obesity.  Students will develop an applied understanding pertaining to the purpose and characteristics of ‘effective training’, and recognition of related limitations and special considerations.

The module develops students’ knowledge of rehabilitation principles, from pre-habilitation to return to sport.  Students will be able to recognise, describe and apply rehabilitation interventions to different tissues and injuries, different stages of the recovery process, progress a client from injury to full functional fitness and show effective reasoning. You will understand the application of tissue loading and its influence on a range of common musculoskeletal sporting injuries and the impact of the presence of other common conditions (including asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and life threating allergic reactions).  This includes the formulation of safe and effective sports specific rehabilitation programmes for both individual clients and group-based rehabilitation and how to progress, regress, modify and integrate other rehabilitation modalities e.g electrotherapy and equipment, according to clients' needs. Case scenarios will be used to enhance learning and the practical application of skills and application of anatomy, pathology, psychology alongside current research.

This module aims to critically evaluate the physiological and biochemical principles of sport and exercise within a nutritional context. Detailed consideration will be focused towards macronutrients and their role for individuals within a range of sport and exercise contexts. The module will provide students with skills surrounding the assessment and analysis of nutritional intake. The use of nutritional and supplement strategies will be critically evaluated in terms of performance enhancement and health.

This module aims to provide students with the experiences of planning and executing an in-depth and independent research project that investigates a specific area within sport/exercise. Students will negotiate the focus of the project with tutorial guidance and will be expected to show an awareness of research methodology appropriate for an empirical research project. Emphasis will be placed on topics that are analytical, interdisciplinary and/or evaluative in nature. This is the opportunity for students to produce a research project in a particular area of interest that relates to the curriculum being studied.

This module will cover the management of complex conditions, including management of trauma, using more complex case studies with potential multi-pathology. This module provides an opportunity to draw together key aspects of sports therapy and build on the knowledge, understanding and applied sports therapy practice you have gained across your degree to demonstrate synthesis of learning. The focus will be on assessment of signs and symptoms and management of sports trauma and complex sporting injuries and the practice guidelines, evidence and clinical reasoning and decision making that underpins it. Alongside this, students will learn more practical elements of safe and advanced treatment and management within trauma and complex sporting injury. 

This module progresses Personal and Professional Development 1 and expands students’ knowledge and understanding of working as a professional with an emphasis on professional conduct and working most effectively within the wider sport management team. Part of the module explores running a private practice business and the health and safety and quality assurance measures required to both review and enhance practice. The formation and management of a small business presents a unique challenge for Sports Therapists as entrepreneurs so the module will explore the macro to micro view of sport and health sectors and its personal and professional impacts. The module will address the self-management skills needed to develop in terms of workload, resources, maintaining their own health. The module adopts a coaching approach to individual development to help students progress their Personal Development Portfolio, their personal analysis and reflections on activities and experiences.

Placement provides an opportunity to put Sports Therapy knowledge and skills into practice.  Students will actively participate in the assessment and management of a client caseload within an area of practice under guidance of a placement educator.  Placements are an opportunity for self-development and integrating theory with practice-based work. Students will work alongside a variety of sports and healthcare professionals and demonstrate the professional values commensurate with Sports Therapy. A member of the Faculty’s team will provide a link to the academic programme and visit at least once during the placement. The formal Placement allocation of 200 hours will form the module assessment. Up to 50 other placement hours may be gained via an accumulator model outside of the formal placement allocation in the form of observational experience, working with sports teams and other work experience activities. This is not assessed but still be monitored by the placement and programme team.

This extended study module provides an opportunity for students to focus on a Sports Therapy clinical area of interest and study this in depth. The area of interest may be an extension of what has been taught within the programme in level 5 or 6 or it may be a new topic area that has relevance to, and link with, what has been taught within the programme in level 5 or 6. The chosen area of interest must be appropriate and be able to be taken to level 6 to show criticality and engagement with the literature and evidence base so as to satisfy the module learning outcomes. Consequently, the area of interest will be negotiated and agreed with the mentor/tutor/supervisor prior to study being undertaken. Depending on the area of interest there may be some additional ‘masterclass’ style practical teaching that is appropriate.

This module takes an evidence-based and critical approach to strength and conditioning coaching, with a specialist focus on teaching students a practical and theoretical understanding of weightlifting skills (i.e., clean, jerk, snatch, as well as weightlifting assistance exercises such as the front squat).