6B021E - Advanced Sport & Exercise Science 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 6B021E
Module Title: Advanced Sport & Exercise Science
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Sport
Faculty Sub Group: Sports Coaching
Module Leader: Lee Baldock
Module Team: Tom Owens, Adnan Haq, Christopher Marley, Leighanne Kelly, Will Raymond, Brendan Cropley
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake: 2031
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 6
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 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

The aims of the module are to: 

  • Equip learners with the ability to critically synthesise core foundational knowledge in the main disciplines of sport and exercise science (Physiology, Biomechanics, Psychology) in a way that challenges and builds a robust evidence-base for practice. 

  • Develop learners’ critical understanding of the nature of applied sport and exercise science, including the required key skills and potential issues impacting on service delivery 

Content Summary

This Level 6 module builds on the Level 5 Human Fundamental Sciences: Application & Adaptation module and aims to equip you with the critical ability to synthesise core foundational knowledge across Physiology, Biomechanics, and Psychology, strengthening the evidence base for applied sport and exercise science practice. You'll move beyond understanding the basics to questioning accepted knowledge and tackling complex, multidisciplinary issues in sport, exercise, and health. The content takes a deep dive into advanced areas, such as: dynamical systems theory in movement analysis , coronary circulation and cerebral physiology , and motivational climates and resilience in psychology. A key aspect of this module is its focus on connecting foundational subject-specific knowledge with your developing understanding of applied service delivery, including required professional skills and ethical issues. By mastering the integration of these disciplines, this module aims to better prepare you to analyse the influence of technology and scientific models to explain and address issues like injury aetiology and performance under stress, giving you the advanced scientific foundation vital for success in applied settings, postgraduate study, and/or research in the sport and exercise sciences. 

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 evaluate and synthesise core theoretical and conceptual principles across the main disciplines of sport and exercise science (Physiology, Biomechanics, and Psychology), systematically questioning the foundations of accepted knowledge base within these areas.
LO2 Comprehend the key skill requirements for sport and exercise scientists and proficiently analyse the influence of these skills to explain complex, multidisciplinary issues in discipline-specific service delivery.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 3 x 500 words; 1 x 2500 words - The assessment for this module will consist of a portfolio of work collated throughout the module, culminating in learners being asked to address a prescribed case study. Specifically, learners will be asked to complete three post-topic portfolio tasks covering each area of the sport and exercise sciences (Biomechanics, Physiology, Psychology) completed in weeks 3, 5, and 6. These tasks will give learners an opportunity to substantiate and demonstrate the progression of their knowledge and understanding of core principles in the disciplines of sport and exercise science, and will be aligned to the final case study. The final aspect of the portfolio will consist of learners addressing a prescribed case study through the frame of one selected discipline of the sport and exercise sciences – empowering learners to decide upon a particular pathway akin to their preferences, strengths, and future career aspirations. This will be completed during week 7. 0 5000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio ✔ ✔

Reading List

Sport & Exercise Science: General 

Bartlett, J. D., & Drust, B. (2020). A framework for effective knowledge translation and performance delivery of Sport Scientists in professional sport.?European Journal of Sport Science,?21(11), 1579–1587. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2020.1842511 

CASES Publication: The Sport & Exercise Scientist 

Cowley, E. S., Olenick, A. A., McNulty, K. L., & Ross, E. Z. (2021). “Invisible Sportswomen”: The Sex Data Gap in Sport and Exercise Science Research.?Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal,?29(2), 146-151. https://doi.org/10.1123/wspaj.2021-0028 

Cropley, B., Knowles, Z., Miles, A., & Huntley, E. (Eds.) (2023). Reflective practice in the sport & exercise sciences: Critical perspectives, pedagogy, and applied case studies (2nd edition). Routledge. 

 

Biomechanics (Movement Analysis) 

Bartlett, R., & Bussey, M. (2012). Sports biomechanics?: reducing injury risk and improving sports performance (2nd ed.). Routledge. 

De Sousa-De Sousa, L., Espinosa, H. G., Maté-Muñoz, J. L., Murias-Lozano, R., Iglesias Muñiz, M., Obregón, F. J. S. S., Solís-Mencía, C., & García-Fernández, P. (2025). Unlocking the Impact: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Biomechanical Insights into Rugby Head Impacts Using Wearable Sensor Technology.?Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.),?55(8), 1903–1921. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02228- 

Hajek, M., Williams, M. D., Bourne, M. N., Roberts, L. A., Morris, N. R., Shield, A. J., Headrick, J., & Duhig, S. J. (2024). Hamstring and knee injuries are associated with isometric hip and trunk muscle strength in elite Australian Rules and Rugby League players. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 27(3), 172–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2023.10.019 

Latash, M. L. (2012). Fundamentals of motor control (1st ed.). Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2011-0-05693-4 

Lloyd, D. (2024). The future of in-field sports biomechanics: wearables plus modelling compute real-time in vivo tissue loading to prevent and repair musculoskeletal injuries. Sports Biomechanics, 23(10), 1284–1312. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2021.1959947 

Meeuwisse, W. H., Tyreman, H., Hagel, B., & Emery, C. (2007). A dynamic model of etiology in sport injury: the recursive nature of risk and causation.?Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine,?17(3), 215–219. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0b013e3180592a48 

 

Physiology 

Tortora, G.J. and Derrickson, B. (2023) Principles of anatomy and physiology. Sixteenth edition. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. 

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

Marley, C. J., Brugniaux, J. V., Davis, D., Calverley, T. A., Owens, T. S., Stacey, B. S., Tsukamoto, H., Ogoh, S., Ainslie, P. N. and Bailey, D. M. (2020) Long-term exercise confers equivalent neuroprotection in females despite lower cardiorespiratory fitness. Neuroscience, 427, pp. 58-63.  

Burley, C. V., Bailey, D. M., Marley, C. J. and Lucas, S. J. E. (2016) Brain train to combat brain drain; focus on exercise strategies that optimize neuroprotection. Experimental Physiology, 101(9), pp. 1178-1184.  

Brugniaux, J. V., Marley, C. J., Hodson, D., New, K. J. and Bailey, D. M. (2014) Acute exercise stress reveals cerebrovascular benefits associated with moderate gains in cardiorespiratory fitness. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 34(12), pp. 1873-1876.  

Bailey, D. M., Marley, C. J., Brugniaux, J. V., Hodson, D., New, K. J., Ogoh, S. and Ainslie, P. N.* (2013) Elevated aerobic fitness sustained throughout the adult lifespan is associated with improved cerebral hemodynamics. Stroke, 44(11), pp. 3235-3238. 

Psychology 

Baldock, L., Cropley, B., Mellalieu, S. D., & Neil, R. (2020). Stress and well-being of those operating in groups. In R. J. Schinke & D. Hackfort (Eds.), The Routledge international encyclopaedia of sport and exercise psychology (pp. 620-634). Routledge. 

Cropley, B., Hanton, S., Miles, A., Niven, A., & Dohme, L-C. (2020). Developing the effectiveness of applied sport psychology service delivery: A reflective practice intervention. Sport & Exercise Psychology Review, 16, 38-60. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpssepr.2020.16.1.38 

Knight, C., Harwood, C., & Gould, D. (Eds.) (2018). Sport psychology for young athletes. Routledge. 

Mugford, A., & Cremedes, G. (Eds.) (2019). Sport, exercise, and performance psychology: Theories and applications. Routledge. 

Wixey, D., Kingston, K., & Shearer, D., Cropley, B. (2023). Coaching strategies to develop desired psychological attributes within academy soccer players. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 36(4), 580-605. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2023.2286954