HND in Sport and Exercise Science (Coaching Science), Level 5

Year 1

- Nutrition
This unit aims to equip the student with the knowledge, skills and competencies to understand the nutritional composition of food and the effects of nutritional choices on the health of a person. Research on current trends will take place including intolerances and diseases while also investigating fad diets.

- Anatomy & Physiology
An understanding of anatomy and physiology forms the basis for a number of other areas relating to training, fitness, fitness testing, physical activity and various therapeutic techniques. In this unit learners will study the structure and function of the human body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory and musculo-skeletal). This unit will provide you information that will support you on a sport science degree at university.

- Fundamentals of Sport & Exercise Psychology
This unit addresses key concepts in sport psychology that are relevant to sports performance. Whilst the focus of sport psychology is on performance in competitive sport, the focus of exercise psychology is on exercise/physical activity and the role exercise plays in establishing optimal mental health.

- Professional Skills
This unit enables Learners to explore and examine a relevant and current topical aspect of sport. Developing appropriate professional skills is fundamental to becoming a sport scientist and will open up an array of career opportunities within sport science. To be a sport scientist, individuals must develop a range of professional skills that will develop their understanding of research methods in the field of Sport and Exercise Science.

- Coaching Practice & Skill Development
The aim of this unit is to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of coaching practice and the skill development associated with athlete performance. Students will engage in researching the impact of different coaching practices, working in various environments, utilising resources, developing skills and planning effective sessions. They will gain an understanding of the importance of developing sessions dependent on the group’s demographics. The knowledge, understanding and skill sets gained in this unit will help students to appreciate the varied coaching environments in which they might work. They will have learned how to be specific to the individuals they are coaching and ensure they apply the relevant skill development.

- Training, Fitness & Testing
Within this unit there is a combination of both theoretical and applied learning contexts which will allow learners to examine traditional principles of training in a practical learning environment. Learners will also discover how to use essential practical techniques in training environments through investigating different training techniques. This will allow for a greater understanding of the key physiological, biomechanical and psychological changes that can benefit performance. Learners will also adopt an evidence-based practice approach to their work on training programmes which will help them to prepare for the continuing rigours of Higher Education and careers within sport and exercise sciences, sports therapy and other related areas.

- Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the study of structure and force which is related to all sporting actions it can be broken down further into Nanobiomechanics which is the study in cellular and molecullar changes. During this unit you will study how different forces effect the human body and movement. Using state of the art software to help you record sports performers and study their movements will ready you for studying at a higher level.

- Sports massage
Sports massage is a form of massage designed to enhance performance and prevent injury for people who are involved in regular physical activity, exercise and/or sport. The aim of this unit is to provide students with an insight into the sport therapy and rehabilitation sector. This unit delivers both the theoretical and practical knowledge.