6B033E - Research to Reality: Sport & Exercise Science in Practice 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 6B033E
Module Title: Research to Reality: Sport & Exercise Science in Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Sport
Faculty Sub Group: Sports Coaching
Module Leader: Stuart Jarvis
Module Team:
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 main aims of the module are: 

  • To apply everything you’ve learned to a real-world challenge in sport, exercise, or health, tackling one of two Grand Challenges: Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Choices or Optimising Human Performance. 

  • To help you think, act, and communicate like a professional sport and exercise scientist by leading your own evidence-based project that makes a genuine impact. 

  • To prepare you for your next step, whether that’s starting your career or progressing to postgraduate study, by developing the confidence, independence, and professional skills employers are looking for. 

Content Summary

This module brings together everything you’ve learned throughout your degree, giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge, skills, and creativity to real-world challenges faced by the sport and exercise science industry. Working as a professional sport and exercise scientist, you’ll take on one of two Grand Challenges, Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Choices or Optimising Human Performance, and design evidence-based solutions that make a real impact. 

Through workshops, applied research, and collaboration with industry partners such as CIMSPA, CASES, and CTMUHB, you’ll refine your ability to think critically, lead projects, and communicate your findings professionally. This module represents your transition from student to practitioner, preparing you for employment or postgraduate study by demonstrating the independence, professionalism, and problem-solving skills expected within the modern sport and exercise science sector

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Guided Study 155
Problem/Challenge Based Learning 56
Practical Classes and Workshops 20
Formative Assessment 24
Summative Assessment 45
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically design, implement, and evaluate an applied research or professional practice project that addresses a contemporary challenge in sport, exercise, or health.
LO2 Communicate research findings or professional insights effectively to academic, professional, and public audiences, demonstrating autonomy, ethical integrity, and professional standards.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Student Choice 1 Report/Presentation Students will design and present an evidence-informed solution to a real-world problem relevant to their professional interests. For example, students in the Health route may develop community-based interventions to increase physical activity or improve recovery from long-term conditions, while those in the Performance route may design programmes to optimise training, recovery, or nutrition for athletes. 30 4000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Student Choice 1

Reading List

- Lavin, J. & Vealey, R. (2024). Professional Practice in Sport and Exercise Science. Routledge. 

- BASES (2022). Professional Standards and Guidelines

- CIMSPA (2023). Professional Standards Framework: Exercise and Fitness Pathway.- Sparkes, A.C. & Smith, B. (2014). Qualitative Research Methods in Sport, Exercise and Health. Routledge. 

- Thomas, J.R., Silverman, S.J., & Nelson, J.K. (2020). Research Methods in Physical Activity (8th ed.). Human Kinetics. 

- British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (2023). Code of Conduct and Ethics

- Sim, J. & Wright, C. (2018). Research in Health and Social Care (4th ed.). Sage. 

- Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic Analysis: A Practical Guide. Sage. 

- Hopkins, W.G. (2015). Spreadsheets for Analysis of Controlled Trials with Adjustment for a Subject Characteristic. Sportscience, 19, 1–5. 

- Batterham, A.M. & Hopkins, W.G. (2006). Making Meaningful Inferences About Magnitudes. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 1(1), 50–57. 

- Atkinson, G. & Nevill, A.M. (2001). Statistical Methods for Assessing Measurement Error (Reliability) in Variables Relevant to Sports Medicine. Sports Medicine, 26(4), 217–238. 

- Howley, E.T., & Franks, B.D. (2017). Health Fitness Instructor’s Handbook (6th ed.). Human Kinetics. 

- Abernethy, B. et al. (2013). The Biophysical Foundations of Human Movement (4th ed.). Human Kinetics. 

- American College of Sports Medicine (2022). ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (11th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 

- Hopkins, W.G. (2000). Measures of Reliability in Sports Medicine and Science. Sports Medicine, 30(1), 1–15. 

- Knapik, J.J., & Pope, R. (2021). Exercise Physiology and Performance. Human Kinetics. 

- Ekkekakis, P. (2013). The Measurement of Affect, Mood, and Emotion: A Guide for Health-Behavioral Research. Cambridge University Press. 

- Faude, O., et al. (2012). High-Intensity Interval Training in Health and Performance. Sports Medicine, 42(3), 233–249. 

- McKenzie, T.L., et al. (2016). Physical Activity Research: From Description to Impact. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 87(3), 243–256. 

- Field, A. (2022). Discovering Statistics Using SPSS (6th ed.). Sage. 

- Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS Survival Manual (8th ed.). Open University Press. 

- Hopkins, W.G. (2004). How to Interpret Changes in an Athletic Performance Test. Sportscience, 8, 1–7. 

- Mair, C. & Wiggins, S. (2021). Communicating Sport and Exercise Science. Routledge.