MSc Strength and Conditioning

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 present to students, through a wide range of theoretical, empirical and practical evidence, methods that can be used to design, monitor and implement techniques to optimally structure athletes' training activities. The module will outline a variety of programming approaches related to such issues as athletes' needs analyses, training periodisation and the application of a multitude of different training types. Students will develop their ability to critically analyse the wide range of techniques that they can apply to athletes operating in a variety of different contexts.

Strength and conditioning coaches deal primarily with movement problems – problems that ultimately impede the expression of force. The primary task of a strength and conditioning coach is to optimise an athlete's movement performance whilst minimising the risk of injury/pain. The art of coaching, which you will learn in other modules, must be informed by the scientific basis underpinning movement and its control. The aim of this module is to equip you with the theoretical and practical movement-based skills that will optimise your ability to assess, plan, and implement strength training programs to improve athletic performance.

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 (e.g., coach) 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? The 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 synthesised to critically evaluate their effect on coaching practice.

The Physiology of Training module aims to give students an understanding of the physiological mechanism that underpin human performance. The module will develop the student's critical knowledge around the physiological demands of short explosive, long sustained and intermittent activities from the perspective of different energy systems. Students will also gain and understanding of performing laboratory and field-based tests to physiologically profile athletes.

This module will give students the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities in critically evaluating study design, analysis and interpretation of research studies. The module will cover the practical usage and critical analysis of different research methodologies in traditional research setting and within an applied environment.

This module will introduce students to the underpinning practical skills required for the delivery of Strength and Conditioning services to athletes. The module will focus on developing students' awareness and understanding of a variety of exercise technical models that will support their ability to improve an athlete's performance. This will include developing students reasoning skills around why elements of performance for each exercise are vital. Students will also gain experience with a wide range of exercise equipment to further their practice as a Strength and Conditioning professional.

This module provides the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working as a coach or practitioner to develop students underpinning knowledge of key applied practice in strength and conditioning. This module centres on professional development through mentorship, where students will be supported by professionals working in strength and conditioning to develop specialised skills. The module will shine a light on various aspects of strength and conditioning to better equip students with insider knowledge of various aspects and contexts within sport. Students are encouraged to adopt a reflective approach to develop their expertise and practice.