Physical Activity and Sports Studies

Course Description

Physical Activity and Sports Studies aims to enhance students’ capacity to participate effectively in physical activity and sport, leading to improved quality of life for themselves and others.

Students engage in a wide range of physical activities in order to develop key understandings about how and why we move and how to enhance quality and enjoyment of movement.

What will students learn about?

Participation in physical activity provides personal challenge, enjoyment and satisfaction. Physical Activity and Sports Studies represents a broad view of physical activity and the many possible contexts in which individuals can build activity into their lifestyle. It incorporates lifelong physical activities, recreational and leisure pursuits, competitive and non-competitive games and sports, individual and group experiences, physical fitness activities, and the use of activity for therapy and remediation.

Physical Activity and Sports Studies provides students with opportunities to develop their level of skill, analyse performance and assist the performance of others.

Areas of Study

• Body systems & energy for physical activity

• Issues in physical activity and sport

• Promoting active lifestyles

• Coaching & leading

• Enhancing performance – strategies and techniques

• Event management

• Physical activity for health

• Physical fitness, lifestyle, leisure and recreation

The Body

• Structure and function of the Skeletal system

• Structure and function of the Muscular system

• Structure and function of Circulatory systems

• Structure and function of the Respiratory system

• Energy systems and physical activity

• Interrelationships between the body systems

• Hydration and its impact on performance

Improving Performance

• Rules and etiquette

• Movement skills and performance

• Technique and form

• Strategies and tactics

• Analysis and evaluation of performance

Physical Fitness

• Different meanings of physical fitness

• Physical activity versus physical fitness

• Developing physical fitness

• Measurement and evaluation of fitness

• Nutrition, physical activity and weight management

• Assessing and managing risk in outdoor activities

• Injury management

Promoting Health

• Models of physical activity and fitness

• Influences on physical activity choices

• Physical activity and improved quality of life

• Settings and opportunities for physical activity

• Individual and group roles and responsibilities for promoting physical activity

• Products, information and organisations

Coaching

• The qualities of effective coaching

• Coaching roles and responsibilities

• Ethical coaching

• Coaching opportunities and qualifications

• Structuring a coaching session

• Long-term planning in coaching

Issues in Sport

• Historical perspectives of the issue

• Factors influencing the issue

• Impact of the issue

• Ethical implications

• Future perspectives

Training for Performance

• Flexibility training

• Strength training

• Power training

• Endurance training

• Training for skill improvement

• Biomechanics

Water Polo