Sport and Exercise Science - BSc (Hons)

Abertay University

Explore the key concepts of sport and exercise psychology and how they apply to real-world settings. You’ll examine how thoughts, emotions and behaviours influence performance, participation and wellbeing in sport and exercise. You’ll also look at how personal and social factors shape, and are shaped by, people’s involvement in physical activity. Indicative content - Definition of the field of sport and exercise psychology - Fundamentals of sport and exercise psychology - Individual factors: The role of personality in sport; models of achievement motivation and competitiveness; motivational climates; stress, arousal, anxiety and other emotional processes. - Group processes: Group and team dynamics, group cohesion, communication, leadership. - An introduction to psychological skills

Explore the core principles of physiology and how they apply to sport and exercise. You’ll learn about energy systems, fatigue, and how the cardiovascular system adapts to physical activity. You’ll also examine how exercise affects different populations, including those with specific health or performance needs. Indicative content - Fundamentals of bioenergetics: You'll further explore the core concepts of energy production during exercise, examining the interaction of the different energy systems during exercise, how these change with intensity of activity and the role of the endocrine system. You'll also begin to explore protein metabolism - Neuromuscular adaptations to exercise: You'll learn about how the body adapts to different types of exercise (endurance, resistance and high intensity). - Fatigue: You'll learn about possible causes of peripheral fatigue during exercise. - Cardiovascular adaptations to endurance training: You'll learn about how the cardiovascular system adapts to endurance training and how this can influence performance. - Physiological Testing: You'll explore a number of physiological tests that are used routinely for health and fitness assessment. You'll develop an understanding of the tests and their limitations and will be introduced to ethical and practical considerations when working with individuals with protected characteristics. You'll also learn how to analyse and interpret the results of physiological tests.

This module will give you the opportunity to lead, develop and/or support the delivery of physical activity sessions to school pupils in Dundee. You'll also have an opportunity to engage with a range of employers from the Sport and Fitness industry to gain insight into the requirements of particular roles. These experiences should enable you to develop a career plan for future employment. Indicative content - Planning and delivering activity sessions: Session planning; managing time/resources/people; working within a team; Active Schools/Positive Coaching Scotland training; physical literacy and the development of this in children, managing challenging behaviour; developing diversity competence; Growth Mindset; contemporary issues in the sport and fitness industry. - Personal Development Planning (PDP): Completing SWOT analyses; personal objective/goal setting; action planning; electronic PDPs. - Reflective practice: Application of models of reflective practice; guided reflection to highlight learning; making theory− practice links; career planning. - Articulating skill development: Using electronic platforms and oral media to promote knowledge and skills to external audiences in the context of employability; careers/external speaker workshops.

Explore how physical activity supports health and wellbeing across different populations. You’ll examine patterns and trends in physical activity and learn how to evaluate the evidence linking movement to physical and mental health. You’ll be introduced to the principles of exercise programme design and begin developing the skills to plan safe, effective and tailored interventions. You’ll also study behaviour change and motivation, learning how to help others start and sustain active lifestyles. Indicative content - The fundamental concepts and public health principles related to physical activity and health: 'Introduction to physical activity and public health - The role and importance of physical activity for health and wellbeing: Introduction to, and understanding the nature and quality of, evidence of how physical activity can impact both physical and mental health. - The introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles of exercise programme design: These include varying exercise modalities and their benefits for the maintenance of general health and wellbeing.

Please note: If you are a Direct Entrant (new student) to this year of study and have not previously taken module ABE101, then you MUST take ABE201 as your Term 2 microcredential module. If you have previously taken ABE101, then you are NOT permitted to take ABE201 in Term 2. Starting university brings new opportunities and challenges, and every student’s journey is different. This microcredential helps you settle into life at Abertay and build the habits that lead to success. You’ll hear from current students sharing their own tips, and reflect on the areas you most want to develop. You’ll get to know Abertay’s systems, explore what makes a successful student and practise core skills such as time management, referencing, academic writing style and using support services. By the end, you’ll have the tools and strategies you need to thrive at university. Indicative content - Navigating Abertay Systems: Get to know the key systems you’ll use at Abertay—such as MyLearningSpace, MS Teams, OASIS and MyAbertay—and learn how to use them effectively. - Expectations of University and You: Explore what’s expected of you as a student and what you can expect from the university. Topics include the code of conduct, independent and blended learning, how courses are structured, health and safety, and the Abertay attributes. - Abertay Discovery Tool: Complete the Discovery Tool to identify your strengths and areas for development across five themes: studying at university, academic skills, digital skills, careers and employability, and wellbeing. - Fundamentals of University: Learn how modules work, how assessments are set, and how to use assignment briefs and feedback to improve your work. - Understanding, Searching and Evaluating Information: Develop strategies for finding and assessing reliable information, building your confidence in research and study skills. - Successful Student Behaviours: Practise the habits that help you succeed: managing time, avoiding procrastination, effective note-taking, preparing for classes, developing a growth mindset, and making use of student support services. - Referencing: Understand academic integrity and why referencing matters. Learn how to avoid plagiarism, create in-text citations and reference lists, and use digital tools to manage your sources. - Sounding Academic: Discover what lecturers mean by “academic style” and how to use the right language in your writing. Learn the rules of academic writing, how to paraphrase effectively, and how expectations differ between school/college and university. You’ll also explore how assessments, marking and feedback work.

In this module, you’ll be introduced to the key biomechanical principles that underpin sport, health and performance. You’ll learn how the body moves and applies force, and how to analyse these movements using biomechanical laboratory techniques. Through practical sessions, you’ll explore concepts such as movement analysis, ground reaction forces and Newton’s Laws in action. Indicative content - Biomechanical concepts in sport and exercise: Further develop understanding of how linear kinetics and kinematics influence performance and health measures. This includes kinematic measures of motion, forces calculations (ground reaction force, impulse), movement of mass and power development. These will be considered and applied in a sport, health and exercise context. - Specialist equipment use (health): Learn about the use of specialist equipment, such as force platforms, 2D motion analysis, contact mats, and electromyography to assess injury risk. - Specialist equipment use (performance): Learn about the use of specialist equipment, such as force platforms, 2D motion analysis, contact mats, and electromyography to improve performance. - Research Design: Consider the importance of research design and how to identify variable types and control measures needed for robust biomechanical experiments.

In this module, you’ll be introduced to the key training methods used in strength and conditioning. You’ll explore the physiological and biomechanical foundations of human performance and learn how to apply scientifically designed, periodised training programmes to achieve specific goals. You’ll also examine both the short- and long-term effects of different training approaches, and how particular exercises link directly to sporting performance. Alongside this, you’ll develop your own practical skills in compound lifting and weightlifting techniques, as well as the coaching strategies needed to teach them effectively. Indicative Content - Introduction to S&C / Functional Screening: You’ll be introduced to the key terms and concepts in strength and conditioning (S&C) and gain a solid understanding of how to carry out basic functional screening to assess an athlete’s movement and performance needs. - Introduction to Human Movement: You’ll explore the basics of human anatomy and learn how the body produces force. This includes understanding planes of movement and lever systems, giving you the foundations to analyse and improve athletic performance. - Introduction to Compound Lifting: You’ll be introduced to the major compound lifts—such as the back squat, front squat, deadlift, bent-over row and bench press—as well as weightlifting variations. You’ll focus on the key technical elements of each lift and the coaching points needed to perform and teach them safely and effectively. - Neuromuscular Physiology: You’ll learn how the neuromuscular system works, including the different muscle fibre types, and understand how these influence performance in strength, power and endurance activities. - Resistance Training: You’ll discover the main principles of planning and delivering resistance training sessions. You’ll also explore the physiological adaptations that occur when athletes train for strength and power. - Endurance Training: You’ll examine the key components of endurance training, learning how to design effective sessions and understanding the physiological changes that take place with regular endurance work. - Plyometric Training: You’ll be introduced to the principles behind plyometric training, including the stretch-shortening cycle. You’ll also learn the key technical coaching points needed to deliver plyometric exercises safely and effectively. - Speed, Agility and Quickness: You’ll explore the core principles of speed and agility training, focusing on the technical coaching points that help athletes move faster, change direction more efficiently and react quickly in competitive situations. - Principles of Training for Programme Design and Periodisation: You’ll learn how to design structured training programmes for a wide range of athletes. This includes understanding the key variables in programme design, and how to apply periodisation to balance strength, power and endurance training across different sporting contexts.

This module will help you build a strong understanding of the core physiological concepts that underpin sporting performance. You’ll explore the biochemical, cardiovascular and neuromuscular systems, and see how they adapt to training for endurance, team and strength sports. Using specialist physiological and biomechanical equipment, you’ll get hands-on experience collecting and analysing data, giving you the skills to apply science directly to improving sports performance. Indicative Content - Biochemistry of Performance: You’ll explore the key concepts of how the body produces energy during sport and exercise. This includes understanding metabolic processes, the factors that limit performance, and how training leads to important metabolic adaptations. - Cardiovascular System and Performance: You’ll learn how the heart and blood vessels respond to exercise, including cardiac output and blood flow regulation. You’ll also study how the cardiovascular system adapts to regular training to support improved performance. - Neuromuscular System and Performance: You’ll examine how muscles contract, how motor units are activated, and what causes neuromuscular fatigue. You’ll also look at how strength, power and speed are produced and developed through training. - Recovery and Performance: You’ll develop an understanding of recovery both during competition — such as repeated sprints and PCr kinetics — and after competition, including muscle damage and recovery timeframes. This will help you appreciate the importance of recovery in sustaining performance. - Training for Performance: You’ll explore different training methods designed to improve endurance, anaerobic power and strength. You’ll also learn how to plan energy-specific programmes that target particular performance goals.

This module gives you an insight into what it’s really like to work as a sports psychologist. You’ll explore the skills and knowledge needed for the role, the different settings where sports psychologists work, and the kinds of tasks they carry out with athletes—such as identifying areas for improvement and teaching psychological techniques to boost performance. It’s designed for anyone interested in a career in sport science, especially if you’re considering becoming a sports psychologist. Building on what you already know about the psychology of performance—like anxiety, confidence and motivation—you’ll see how these ideas apply directly to athletes in real sporting contexts. Indicative Content - Role of Applied Sport Psychologist: You’ll define what a sport psychologist does and explore the differences between educational and clinical approaches. You’ll also look at the role of ‘alternative’ practitioners such as life coaches and motivational speakers, and discuss key themes like performance enhancement, athlete well-being, motor development and clinical issues. - Issues of Philosophy and Ethics: You’ll reflect on your own approach to applied sport psychology and why self-awareness is so important. You’ll explore how different ethical perspectives (such as teleology vs deontology) influence professional practice and success. You’ll also examine common ethical challenges, including confidentiality, role conflict and over-identification with athletes. - Overall Service Delivery: You’ll learn how the main stages of applied sport psychology—intake, needs analysis, intervention development and evaluation—fit together. You’ll also discuss the challenges and opportunities that can arise at each stage, and the methods that can be used to manage them effectively. - Needs Analysis: You’ll investigate both the theory and practice of needs analysis, exploring tools such as performance profiling, questionnaires, interviews and informal conversations. You’ll also consider how sport psychologists work as part of a wider sport science team alongside coaches, physiotherapists and other professionals. - Theory and Understanding of Psychological Skills: You’ll explore psychological skills such as goal setting, imagery, visualisation, self-talk and self-regulation. You’ll critically discuss the theories that explain how these skills influence performance (for example, triple code theory and bioinformational theory) and debate how relevant they are in different sporting contexts. You’ll also evaluate tools used to measure athletes’ abilities in these areas, such as the Psychological Skills Inventory for Sport. - Practical Development in Psychological Skills: You’ll gain hands-on experience of learning psychological skills yourself and practise teaching them to both individuals and groups. You’ll also critically evaluate guidelines used in applied sport psychology, such as the matching hypothesis and PETTLEP model. - Planning, Delivery, and Evaluation of Psychological Interventions: You’ll work through case studies and develop practical solutions to real-world challenges faced by athletes. You’ll learn how to identify concerns from athlete briefs, gather more information through tools like performance profiling, and propose psychological skills interventions such as motivational self-talk. You’ll also focus on identifying key outcomes (like reduced anxiety or improved performance) and evaluating whether these outcomes have been achieved.

In this module, you’ll build on your knowledge of biomechanics and take it further by exploring how it applies to real sporting performance. You’ll be introduced to the key concepts of performance analysis and learn how to use biomechanics to design evidence-based strategies that optimise performance. By combining theory with practical application, you’ll develop the skills to turn scientific insights into meaningful improvements in sport. Indicative Content - Performance Analysis: You’ll learn what performance analysis is and how it’s used in sport. You’ll explore existing models, apply different types of analysis, and evaluate how effective they are in improving performance. - Biomechanical Concepts Associated with Performance: You’ll critically examine key biomechanical concepts and see how they apply in real sporting contexts. You’ll discuss the biomechanical factors that influence performance and discover how they can be used to optimise results. - Development of Intermediate Laboratory Skills: You’ll develop hands-on laboratory skills by collecting biomechanical data using specialist equipment. This includes 3D movement analysis, electromyography to assess muscle activity, and force platforms to measure kinetics. - Data Processing and Analysis: You’ll learn how to process and analyse biomechanical data effectively, gaining the skills to interpret results from laboratory equipment and apply them to real-world performance.

In this module, you’ll develop your understanding of research in sport, exercise, physical activity and health. You’ll learn how to critically engage with published studies and gain the skills to design and plan your own research project, preparing you to investigate real-world questions in your chosen field. Indicative Content - The Research Process: You’ll be introduced to the full research journey, from planning through to carrying out a study. By engaging with each stage, you’ll gain a clear understanding of how research is designed, managed and delivered. - Formulating and Refining Research Questions: You’ll learn how research ideas are generated and developed into clear, focused questions. This will help you refine your own ideas into questions that can be explored through research. - Research Methodologies: You’ll explore a range of research approaches — including quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods — and develop an appreciation of how different methodologies can be applied to sport, exercise, physical activity and health. - Ethical Issues: You’ll build an awareness of the key ethical considerations involved in research, such as protecting participants and ensuring integrity, and learn how these principles guide good research practice. - Practical Skill Development: You’ll have the chance to develop hands-on research skills within your chosen discipline area, giving you the confidence to apply what you’ve learned in real-world research projects.

This module builds on your existing knowledge of biomechanics by introducing new concepts, methods, and techniques used in the field. You’ll explore topics such as tissue loading, healing, and strategies for preventing injury, while also gaining hands-on experience with biomechanical data collection tools like 3D motion analysis, force platforms, and electromyography. The module also highlights the interdisciplinary nature of sport biomechanics, showing how areas such as the physiology of fatigue connect with biomechanical measures to support injury prevention. Indicative Content - Injury Risks and Prevention: You’ll examine the relationship between injury risks, health, and performance, exploring evidence-based methods of prevention. This includes looking at biomechanical differences across populations (using epidemiological data) and identifying risk factors for injury in both clinical and performance settings. You’ll also consider key factors such as motor skill acquisition, linear and angular kinetics and kinematics, muscle recruitment patterns, and stability. - Integrative Biomechanical Assessment: You’ll gain hands-on experience using a range of biomechanical equipment—including 3D motion analysis, force platforms, electromyography, and isokinetic dynamometers. By combining these tools, you’ll develop a strong set of practical and analytical skills that can be applied to a variety of real-world scenarios. - Data Analysis in Biomechanics: You’ll build on your previous biomechanics modules by learning new data analysis methods and exploring the most relevant variables in biomechanics. Through a problem-solving approach, you’ll be encouraged to apply your knowledge in innovative and practical ways.

This module gives you the opportunity to carry out your own independent research project. You’ll choose a subject area that reflects your degree pathway, allowing you to explore a topic that interests you while developing valuable research and project management skills. Indicative Content - Research Project Topics: You’ll choose your own research project topic in consultation with staff, ensuring it reflects your degree pathway and interests. Each student will be allocated a supervisory tutor within the Division to provide guidance and support throughout the process. - Supervisory Sessions: Through regular supervisory sessions, you’ll be guided step by step: from identifying a clear research question and designing your study, to selecting appropriate research methods and statistical analyses. You’ll also learn how to structure and write your research report, interpret your findings, and draw meaningful conclusions. These sessions are designed to help you develop independence while giving you the support you need to succeed.

This module is designed to deepen your understanding of the core physiological concepts that shape exercise performance. You’ll explore how factors such as the external environment and sex influence performance and training, while also examining how the body adapts to endurance, team, and strength sports. Alongside this, you’ll look at the vital role nutrition plays in supporting and enhancing performance. Indicative Content - Fatigue: You’ll explore the concept of fatigue and how it influences performance, looking at both central and peripheral factors that regulate the body’s response during exercise. - Exercise in Different Environments: You’ll learn how the body’s physiological systems adapt to challenging conditions such as heat and cold, and what this means for performance and training. - Role of Nutrition in Performance in Different Environments: You’ll examine how nutrition underpins performance, with a focus on the specific nutritional strategies needed to support athletes in different environmental conditions. - Approaches to Performance in Different Environments: You’ll investigate a range of methods to enhance performance in environments such as heat and altitude, including nutritional interventions and cooling strategies. - Overtraining or Under Recovery: You’ll develop an understanding of how recovery plays a vital role in maintaining peak performance, and explore the risks of overtraining or insufficient recovery. - Sex Response: You’ll explore the physiological responses and training adaptations in both males and females, gaining insight into how sex can influence performance and training outcomes.