Fitness and Health

Programme Structure:

The programme is made up of a mix of theory based and applied/practical modules. The aim is to balance development of academic understanding alongside practical, professional and vocational knowledge and skills.

Level 4 (Year 1)

Introduction to Continuous Professional Development

This module will introduce students to appropriate Continuous Professional Development (CPD), through the development of appropriate study skills. It is anticipated that this will maximise success, both in their chosen programme and in the workplace. Students will be introduced to key transferable skills such as communication, problem solving, numeracy and IT proficiency, and will be encouraged to reflect on personal challenges and strengths in this respect. The module will introduce students to personal development planning, through the use of the intranet-based Progress File, as well as the concept of life long learning.

Anatomy and Physiology for Sport

This module is intended to provide core knowledge and understanding of anatomy and exercise physiology which students can apply to their professional activities in areas of fitness and health and sports coaching. It is designed to prepare students, who have little or no background in the discipline, but also to challenge and stimulate students who already have some experience, knowledge and application, for further study and vocational application. This module is in the physical activity strand of the Foundation Degrees and is essential for the basic "product knowledge", namely the physical systems of the human body that support the activities which students' future clients might undertake. An understanding of the effects of exercise on the body is important in establishing safe and effective activity/coaching sessions.

Psychology for Sport & Exercise

Fitness industry professionals are fundamentally concerned with increasing sport/exercise participation generally and more specifically with helping their participants/clients to maintain their involvement and maximise their enjoyment and potential. An understanding of what motivates people generally and individuals specifically is key to being able to ensure that they remain motivated and committed to coaching/exercise programmes. This module aims to develop such an understanding in students and to develop their ability to consider how positive/adaptive behaviours can be maintained, whilst negative/maladaptive behaviours may be challenged and motivation re-discovered.

Health and Fitness: Assessment and Monitoring

Fitness assessment is of central interest in health and fitness studies in order to indicate a client's health status, fitness status and monitor change/improvement throughout an intervention. Fitness assessments require a matching of client requirements with what fitness testing equipment/procedures can offer. The module will also look at a range of tests/assessments that are relevant for different populations (e.g. general population or sporting competitors). A detailed knowledge of available equipment and issues relevant to measurement and reporting results should ensure that the health and fitness professional communicates effectively with clients.

Learning at Work I (Fitness and Health)

This module will provide an opportunity for students from the Foundation degree in Fitness and Health to undertake a level 2 Central YMCA Qualification in Fitness Instructing (Gym). The level 2 CYQ is considered a standard entry route to working in the health and fitness industry and provides students with the opportunity to join the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), which is fully supported by employers, training providers and the government. Students will then undertake fitness-related work-based learning for academic credit. The purpose of the work-based learning is to provide a context in which students examine their own abilities, qualities, behaviours and professional development within the working environment. It enables them to link theory and practice by relating what they have learnt in undertaking a relevant vocational qualification to work that they can undertake for an employer. The distinctive features of this module are an emphasis on explicit links between skills, knowledge and qualities developed by students through the vocational qualification and work-based learning.

The Fitness Industry: Health Perspectives

The area of health and fitness collectively concerns activities, behaviours and policies pertaining to the maintenance or promotion of health, physical fitness and well being. Being physically active and healthy is an important part of everyday life, especially with the Government agenda concentrating more and more on the need for regular physical activity. The health and fitness sector provides a range of services to clients including gym instruction, personal training and instruction for special populations or those who have been referred by a GP. There are, therefore, increasing expectations from government and national agencies for the health and fitness sector to make a major contribution to the physical activity and wider health agenda. This module will explore the role of the fitness industry in relation to the broader objective of promoting the nation's health.

Introduction to Events Management (Check on availability in the year of application/entry)

This module examines the events operations cycle and its effective management in the context of the events industry. This will include the business operations cycle and transformation process in the context of events management; Promotion, merchandising and sales techniques; Budgeting, cash flow, profit and loss and break even; Demand management; Capacity management; Facility location, design, layout and management; Risk assessment, health and safety and other legal issues; Managing quality. A specific aim is to identify and begin to develop the skills necessary in the events management and related industries.

Level 5 (Year 2)

Research Skills for Sport & Physical Activity

This module will enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the management, monitoring and evaluation of processes and people within the workplace. This module enables students to demonstrate their ability to undertake an individual investigation with direct relevance to their professional practice.

Applied Physiology: Growth, Development & Training in Young People

In order to plan successful physical activity programmes, collection and analysis of information (in consultation with the client) is vital. This module is about collecting, analysing and communicating information that is appropriate to encouraging adherence to a fixed term programme of physical activity sessions. The module also considers the implications of athlete development (growth, development, maturity, specialisation etc.) as appropriate.

Learning at Work II (Fitness and Health)

This module will further equip students with the knowledge and skills required for employment and advancement in the health and fitness industry through appropriate academic and professional preparation. Students will negotiate an academic, skills training and work-placement package and be responsible for managing to established objectives. Relevant vocational preparation is undertaken supported by application in a work placement environment. Opportunities for students to engage in learning strategies based on planning for assessment related to this and other Level 5 academic modules, individual reflection and mentoring are central to the philosophy in this module.

Physical Activity: Interventions and Measurement

There is now a wealth of evidence to support the key role that physical activity can play in improving health and well-being. This Level 5 module is designed to study the relationship between physical activity, fitness and health, in light of current public health and sports related initiatives outlined at Level 4. It will explore the various benefits that are known to accrue from regular physical activity, the characteristics of physical activity that can produce health and fitness benefits. Methods used in research to measure physical activity and fitness and interventions at population, community and individual level aimed at stimulating increased participation will also be examined.

Positive Communication and Counselling Skills

One of the primary aims of the exercise professional is to promote positive change in the behaviour and attitudes of people and organisations and facilitate opportunities for people to participate, perform and excel in sport. Thus, a desirable professional competence is the ability to listen and communicate effectively. This module is designed to introduce, explore and develop students' awareness of, and practice of, counselling, interpersonal and reflective skills that can be utilised in a range of settings.

Working with Different Populations

Health and fitness professionals who are responsible for designing programming for referred patients must have a range of knowledge and skills specific to the referral process, specified medical conditions and relevant health risk factors related to physical activity participation. For example, understanding of the disease process and how it is managed; the positive and negative aspects of physical activity on medical conditions; an understanding of medications and their influence on the individual's ability to exercise and on the exercise response; tailoring a physical activity programme appropriate for the specified medical conditions; monitoring the effects of the programme on the condition and effectively using the core aspects of programme design and delivery such as communication skills, principles of training and guidelines for instruction. As such the module is designed to cover a range of low to medium risk specific medical conditions and factors relevant to older and disabled exercisers and develops the fundamental skills and knowledge required to work within an exercise referral system.

Event Planning, Management and Evaluation (Check on availability in year of application/entry)

This module aims to identify and evaluate the key elements in the events planning process including; project planning; effective communication, teamwork and decision making; risk assessment; financial management; facility layout, design and management; sponsorship, sales, merchandising, pricing and ticketing; managing quality events; legal issues - licensing, health and safety; Total Quality Management; customer service quality; determining and measuring quality provision. Students work in groups to plan and deliver a relevant event and produce a critical appraisal of various elements of an actual event, from concept to legacy.