6B032E - Strength and Conditioning: Evidence-Based Training Methods 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 6B032E
Module Title: Strength and Conditioning: Evidence-Based Training Methods
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Sport
Faculty Sub Group: Sports Coaching
Module Leader: Peter Ashcroft
Module Team: Nathan Evans
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: 100095 - sports coaching 100433 - sport and exercise sciences
HECOS Code Weighting: 50 50

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

The aims of the module are: 

  • Develop knowledge of strength and conditioning programme design. 

  • Develop knowledge and technical competency in key strength, power, speed and agility exercises. 

  • Develop the ability to apply evidence-based principles to the preparation and monitoring of athletes. 

Content Summary

Strength and Conditioning involves the application of sports science to improve physical performance. Throughout this module, you will learn how to plan and deliver structured training programmes aligned to specific performance outcomes. This typically includes the development of strength, power, endurance and athleticism, while also helping to reduce injury risk.  

In this module, you’ll learn how to evaluate physical performance and create periodised training plans. You will also enhance your coaching abilities for key strength, power, speed and agility exercises, with an emphasis on safe and efficient technique and aligning exercise selection to individual needs. By the end, you’ll be able to justify your programme design with evidence, demonstrate technical competency and apply strength and conditioning methods confidently in a range of sport and fitness settings. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Guided Study 90
Problem/Challenge Based Learning 70
Practical Classes and Workshops 56
Formative Assessment 24
Summative Assessment 60
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Apply physiological and biomechanical principles to assess the demands of a sport, then design and justify a tailored profiling battery and strength and conditioning programme to meet those demands.
LO2 Exhibit a comprehensive understanding of exercise selection principles and techniques, demonstrating the ability to identify errors and provide appropriate training recommendations.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 This assessment requires students to design a periodised strength and conditioning programme and critically evaluate exercise technique. 0 3000 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment Observation (Synchronous) This practical assesses students applied coaching skills, including exercise instruction, session delivery, and athlete profiling. 23 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1 ✔ ✔
Observation (Synchronous) ✔ ✔

Reading List

Week 1 – Foundations of Strength & Conditioning. Sport Demands and Needs Analysis. Strength Exercises. 

Essential:  

  • Read P.J., et al. (2016). Performance modelling: A system-based approach to exercise selection. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 38(4), pp.90-97.  

  • Comfort, P. and McMahon, J. (2023). Athlete Needs Analysis. In: J. Miller, P. et al. (Eds). Laboratory Manual for Strength and Conditioning. 1st ed. New York: Routledge, pp.13–24.  

  • Flanagan, E.P. (2021). “Strength Training.” In: Joyce, D. & Lewindon, D. (Eds.), High-Performance Training for Sports (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, pp. 151–162. 

 

Supplementary:  

  • Turner, A. (Ed.). (2018). Routledge Handbook of Strength and Conditioning: Sport-specific Programming for High Performance (1st ed.). Routledge.  

 

Week 2 – Athlete Profiling?/ Power Exercises 

Essential:  

  • McGuigan, M. (2017). Monitoring Training and Performance in Athletes, Ch. 3 “Athlete Profiling and Monitoring.” 

  •  Jeffreys & Moody (2021). Strength and Conditioning for Sports Performance. Ch. 14 “Power Development.” 

  • McGuigan, M. (2019). Testing and evaluating strength and power.  Routledge 

Supplementary:  

  • Johnson, D.L. & Bird, M.D. (2022). Performance profiling in strength and conditioning.?Strength & Conditioning Journal,44(4), pp.62-69.  

Week 3 – Training Objectives, Programming / Ballistic Exercises 

Essential:  

  • Jeffreys & Moody (2021). Strength and Conditioning for Sports Performance. Ch. 16 “Plyometric Training – Theory and Practice.” 

  • Newton, R.U. & Kraemer, W.J. (1994). Developing Explosive Muscular Power: Implications for a Mixed Methods Training Strategy. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 16(5), 20–31.  

 

Week 4 – Training Load / Session Organisation / Speed Training 

Essential:  

  • Rosenblatt, B. (2021). “Program Design.” In Joyce, D. & Lewindon, D. (Eds.), High-Performance Training for Sports (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, Chapter 19, pp. 323–336. 

  • Jeffreys, I. (Ed.) (2025). NSCA: Developing Speed (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. 

 

Week 5 – Periodisation / Change of Direction and Agility  

Essential:  

  • Nimphius, S. (2021). “Agility Training.” In Joyce, D. & Lewindon, D. (Eds.), High-Performance Training for Sports (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, Chapter 13, pp. 223–236. 

  •  Haff, G.G. (2024). “Science of Periodization Part II: Fundamentals of Periodization.” In Scientific Foundations and Practical Applications of Periodization. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetic 

 

Week 6 – Periodisation / Endurance Training  

Essential:  

  • - Laursen & Buchheit (2019). Science and Application of High-Intensity Interval Training, Ch. 4 “Programming HIIT for Endurance Athletes.”