Sport Science Support Intern Programme
The Department believe strongly in reinforcing the academic content of the programme by providing applied work opportunities for students. Here students may apply theory to practice in a ‘real-world’ environment, working closely with athletes and coaches to improve performance through applied science. As part of their academic studies, students can apply to internship positions in Sports Physiology, Nutrition, Performance Analysis, Biomechanics and Sport Psychology. Accompanying the hands-on experience in the laboratory or field, each student is supported by a supervisor through a structured mentoring programme (Fig. 1). This programme enables students to meet regularly with their mentor to review and reflect on their applied work, and discuss areas for professional development. This is a programme that not only develops vocationally relevant skills, but also complements programmes such as BASES Supervised Experience that students might wish to pursue on completion of their studies.
Figure 1. Sport and Exercise Sciences Intern Programme
To facilitate such learning opportunities, the Department have close working relationships with a number of sporting bodies all of who provide placements for undergraduate and postgraduate students. These include:
- Warrington Wolves Rugby League Football Club
- English Institute of Sport
GB Cycling
GB Squash
GB Disability swimming
GB Water Polo
- St Helens Rugby League Football Club
- Port Vale FC
- England Handball Association
- Tranmere Rovers FC
- Liverpool FC
- PGIR Ltd - Performance analysis for the Rugby Football Union
Experiential Learning
The Department offer modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate level that enable students to engage with vocationally relevant practice. These opportunities allow students to further develop applied research and sport science support skills in a variety of settings.
At undergraduate level, students are allowed the opportunity to spend seven weeks working in a relevant discipline as research assistants on applied sport and exercise science projects. This enables students to further develop key research skills as well as get their hands dirty working with staff and research students on ‘real-world’ research projects. Examples of previous projects include:
- An investigation into local resident views on the Target Wellbeing health improvement initiative in Ellesmere Port.
- The effect of carbohydrate plus protein ingestion on exercise capacity during simulated multiple-sprint sport activity.
- Kinematic and electromyographic assessment of varying the grip width during the deadlift with different loads.
- The effects of exercise-induced muscle damage on pacing strategies during cycling time-trial performance.
- Can Global Positioning Systems be used to record the occurrence and nature of impacts in elite level rugby union?
- Pre-match osmolality, hydration habits and fluid balance of semi-elite rugby league players during a competitive match.
- Do issues experienced by coaches that cause stress and burnout transcend the comparative differences that exist between two sports?
At postgraduate level, experiential learning is geared more towards applied sport science support and developing skills to further a career in this area. Students undergo critical reviews of their curriculum vitae and follow this up by applying for a hypothetical position at an institute of sport. Thereafter, they participate in a mock interview, conducted by staff and applied practitioners followed by an oral presentation for the position. In addition, students are expected to undergo a minimum of 35 hours applied experience in order to further their understanding in an applied setting. This is coupled with a written case study on the placement, including a reflection on the experience. The session is delivered by a series of seminars and tutorials, which include a series of different learning experiences including video feedback and role play activities.
Annual Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Conference
As part of the Student Development Weeks at the University of Chester, the Department host an annual conference for its undergraduate and postgraduate students. As well as an opportunity to listen to keynote speakers, this event provides an opportunity for students to present their own research in either oral or poster formats in front of staff and peers. Level 6 students present research conducted as part of their dissertation projects, with the conference providing an ideal opportunity to gain further feedback before the final submission. In addition, the Department award 10 Researcher Awards each year to the best research presentations, the prize for which is funding to attend and present their work at the BASES Annual Student Conference. The conference also provides an opportunity for Level 5 and MSc students to present proposed research ideas ahead of submitting their own dissertation research proposals.
The conference has also provided an opportunity to host an Employers Fair, where a variety of speakers provide information on careers such as sports performance, health, teaching and sports development. There is also a range of employers and organisations represented from across the sport and exercise sector that are available for students to informally speak to and discuss careers and job opportunities.
