Strength and Conditioning

Strength and Conditioning is a strand of sport science with its foundations grounded in physiology, biomechanics, nutrition and coaching sciences. Practitioners within strength and conditioning are guided by evidence-based practice and their practice is associated with the physical and physiological preparation of athletes for sporting performance and improved health outcomes within clinical and general populations.

What will I study?
Year 1:

• Academic, Employment and Professional Skills

• Anatomy & Physiology

• Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement

• Fundamentals of Strength and Conditioning

• Introduction to Research Skills

• Physiology of Sport Performance

Year 2:

• Research Methods & Analysis

• Programming and Monitoring Athletic Development

• Sport & Exercise Physiology

• Professional Practice & Development

• Applied S&C for Human Performance

• Nutrition for Exercise & Sports Performance

Year 3:

• Advanced Strength & Conditioning

• Clinical Exercise Prescription

• Supervised Experience

• Corrective Exercise and Injury Rehabilitation

• Dissertation.

Learning and Teaching Approach
This programme is delivered with a variety of learning and teaching approaches. For all modules, theory lectures are delivered that aim to deliver the core content and provide the underpinning knowledge. To complement the theory lectures, students have group seminars/practical sessions that are used to reinforce concepts delivered theoretically. The teaching methods focus on facilitating a student-centred approach to enhance the independent learning that takes place outside of the classroom.

Contact Time
Contact time includes approximately 12-16 hours a week to include lectures, seminars, practicals and tutorials. Students are also expected to carry out a significant amount of independent study in addition to contact time (approximately 25-30 hours a week). Independent study includes reading around the subject, preparing for tutorials and seminars, preparing for, and completing, module assessments and revision for examinations; forming an essential part of a student’s learning journey.

You can expect to receive your timetable during induction week.

What else can I expect?

• Additional facilities include Science Centre, IT suites, dedicated University Centre, study spaces and social areas, and modern Learning Resources Centre.

• Online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) used to enhance and facilitate teaching and independent learning on all programmes.

• Experienced, supportive and motivated staff with both academic and industrial experience.

• Our experienced Life Coaches are on hand to help you through your University journey from mentoring and coaching to health, wellbeing and resilience. Learn more about how our Life Coaches can support you: https://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/university-centre/life-skills-team-at-ucbb

• Talks from a range of visiting speakers.

• Opportunities to attend trips to enhance learning.

• Students have access to a range of support through our study skills, and health and wellbeing teams. Further information can be found on our website: https://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/student-life/student-support

• Relevant extra-curricular activity and/or work experience is encouraged of all students in order to enhance learning.

Career Opportunities
Students graduating from this programme could follow careers as a S&C coach, sports club fitness coach, health and fitness specialist, physiological development coach, rehabilitation assistant or into further postgraduate study.

Year 1
Academic, Employment and Professional Skills
Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics
Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Fundamentals of Strength and Conditioning
Introduction to Diet and Nutrition
Introduction to Research Skills
Physiology for Strength and Conditioning

Year 2
Applied Sport and Movement Analysis
Nutrition for Exercise and Sports Performance
Practical Strength and Conditioning
Professional Practice and Development
Programming and Monitoring Athletic Development
Research Methods

Year 3
Advanced Strength and Conditioning
Conditioning Youth Athletes
Dissertation
Sports Injury: Prevention and Rehabilitation
Supervised Experience

Assessment includes written assignments, seminars, poster presentations, practical coaching or role-plays, reports, portfolios, case studies and presentations. Some elements may be assessed by formal examination. Opportunities for feedback on assessments are available prior to the final submission to support your development and achievement. Staff aim to return assessed work within a 20 working day timeframe (not including holidays) so that you can most benefit from the feedback.