5B025E - Human Performance: Application and Adaptation 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 5B025E
Module Title: Human Performance: Application and Adaptation
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Sport
Faculty Sub Group: Sports Coaching
Module Leader: Christopher Marley
Module Team: Adnan Haq, Lee Baldock
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake: 2031
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100433 - sport and exercise sciences
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

The aims of the module are: 

  • To develop students understanding of select physiological, psychological, nutritional and biomechanical factors that influence athletic performance. 

  • To enable students to analyse and apply evidence-based strategies for enhancing athletic performance. 

Content Summary

Unlock peak performance in sport! This module dives into the science behind what makes athletes excel. You’ll explore proven strategies to boost performance across different sports, looking at the body, the mind, nutrition, and movement mechanics. 

Rather than just learning theory, you’ll apply it—using real-world case studies, performance data, and hands-on interventions. Through interactive seminars, practical sessions, and your own research, you’ll learn how to: 

  • Assess what athletes need to perform at their best 

  • Design tailored strategies to meet those needs 

  • Evaluate how effective your solutions are 

Along the way, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking, problem-solving, and reflective skills—essential tools for anyone aiming to make an impact in sport and exercise science. 

 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Guided Study 74
Problem/Challenge Based Learning 80
Practical Classes and Workshops 56
Formative Assessment 10
Summative Assessment 60
Asynchronous 20
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically assess the evidence-base in physiology, biomechanics, and psychology and evaluate its appropriateness for enhancing athletic performance.
LO2 Apply and justify appropriate athletic performance enhancement strategies to select sporting scenarios, solving performance-related issues through evidence-based interventions.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 The assessment for this module will take the form of a challenge-based written report, designed in accordance with the University of South Wales Assessment for Learning principles and framework. Students will choose from a selection of authentic sporting scenarios and will be required to critically select, justify, and apply appropriate strategies and interventions to enhance athletic performance within their chosen context. 0 2500 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1

Reading List

Week 1?? 

- McArdle, W.D., Katch, F.I. and Katch, V.L. (2023) Exercise physiology: energy, nutrition, and human performance. Ninth edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.???? 

- McGinnis, P.M. (2020) Biomechanics of sport and exercise. Fourth edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.????? 

?- Kenney, W.L., Wilmore, J.H. and Costill, D.L. (2022) Physiology of sport and exercise. Eighth edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetic.???? 

Week 2?? 

- Bean, A. (2017) The complete guide to sports nutrition. 8th edition. London: Bloomsbury Sport.?? 

- McArdle, W.D., Katch, F.I. and Katch, V.L. (2023) Exercise physiology: energy, nutrition, and human performance. Ninth edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.???? 

Week 3?? 

- McArdle, W.D., Katch, F.I. and Katch, V.L. (2023) Exercise physiology: energy, nutrition, and human performance. Ninth edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer. 

?- Kenney, W.L., Wilmore, J.H. and Costill, D.L. (2022) Physiology of sport and exercise. Eighth edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetic.????? 

Week 4?? 

- McArdle, W.D., Katch, F.I. and Katch, V.L. (2023) Exercise physiology: energy, nutrition, and human performance. Ninth edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer. 

?- Kenney, W.L., Wilmore, J.H. and Costill, D.L. (2022) Physiology of sport and exercise. Eighth edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetic.???? 

- West, J., Milledge, J., Schoene, R. and Luks, A. (2013) High Altitude Medicine and Physiology. Boca Raton: Taylor and Francis.?? 

- Ando, S., Tsukamoto, H., Stacey, B. S., Washio, T., Owens, T. S., Calverley, T. A., Fall, L., Marley, C. J., Iannetelli, A, Hashimoto, T., Ogoh, S. and Bailey D. M. (2023) Acute hypoxia impairs posterior cerebral bioenergetics and memory in man. Exp Phys, Online Ahead of Print. 

 

Week 5?? 

- Horn, T.S. and Smith, A.L. (eds) (2018) Advances in sport and exercise psychology. Fourth Edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.?? 

- Williams, J.M. and Krane, V.? (2020) Applied sport psychology: personal growth to peak performance (8th ed). McGraw-Hill Education.? 

Week 6?? 

- Horn, T.S. and Smith, A.L. (eds) (2018) Advances in sport and exercise psychology. Fourth Edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.?? 

- Williams, J.M. and Krane, V.? (2020) Applied sport psychology: personal growth to peak performance (8th ed). McGraw-Hill Education.? 

Week 7?? 

- Bartlett, R., (2014) Introduction to Sports Biomechanics. Analysing Human Movement Patterns (3rd Ed.) London: Routledge.? 

- Hamill, J., and Knutzen, K.M., (2009) Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement.(3rd ed.) Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins.??