MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology

University of Essex

The research project module is an opportunity for you to carry out an individual scientific investigation on a topic relating to your degree specialisation. It will help develop your skills in reviewing synthesising and critically appraising academic literature. You will also be expected to design, analyse and interpret data and present findings in a scientific paper format.

This module will focus on the fundamental assumptions underlying quantitative research, including; research design methods, sampling, and the validity and reliability of measurements in exercise science. Students will master the techniques needed to critically appraise published research and carry out a piece of original research.

This module explores key topics for practising sport and exercise psychologists, and develops skills to undertake consultancy at individual, group, community or population levels. It covers different frameworks adopted in applied work, communication and consultancy skills, working with different clients, and how to develop, monitor and evaluate interventions.

Provide a comprehensive understanding of the appropriate application of psychological knowledge to the measurement and assessment of human performance and develop applied skills necessary to service the needs of the athlete or coach and professionals in exercise settings.

This module explores contemporary topics in exercise and health psychology, focusing on translational research evidence. Physical activity and exercise are increasingly used to improve the health and wellbeing of the general population. You will gain an understanding of up-to-date research evidence on topics including motivation, self-concept, mental health, social support and the environment. You will explore how research is translated into applied interventions and how these interventions are evaluated.

In this module, students will compare physiological responses to exercise of children and adolescents, with those of adults, examining the effects of age, sex and maturation. Students will examine the role that physical activity and fitness can play in improving markers of health and wellbeing in young people; an increasingly important area of study due to recent evidence (from work at the University of Essex showing declines in children's fitness). This module will explain the immediate and possible future benefits of physical activity and exercise for the health and wellbeing of healthy children and young athletes.

The module examines approaches to support learning both in and through sport. As part of the module, students develop their understanding of the learning needs of a range of participants and the pedagogical understanding coaches require in order to effectively meet their participant’s needs. Further, students will work in small groups to examine the influence of context, internal and external assets in sport and how each can be utilised in order to develop and transfer broader psychosocial skills beyond sport. The module also discusses approaches to the design, delivery and evaluation of such programmes, which is an essential skill for coaches and teachers more broadly. Students will also demonstrate self-directed and informal learning by delivering coaching workshops, discussing good practice, and creating coaching resources with peers beyond their immediate year group.

Skill acquisition is commonly described as the voluntary control over movements in an attempt to solve motor skill problems and achieve a task goal. These may vary from catching a ball or riding a bike, to slalom skiing or rhythmic gymnastics. Regardless of the domain, the interaction between the practitioner (eg coach or PE teacher) and athlete when learning these skills is absolutely fundamental to successful performance. Specifically, how can the practitioner create optimal practice conditions to facilitate skill acquisition? This module will firstly enhance your understanding of contemporary theory and research in skill learning and motor expertise. From this, the module takes on a more applied focus, where evidence-based approaches are implemented to critically evaluate their effect on coaching practice.