module specification

The module is designed to provide students with an understanding of different analytical approaches to problems which will be reviewed together with the need to consider statistics and quality control in the design of projects. In addition, the module introduces students to methods of data analysis using computer software.   The Physiology content introduces students to the responses to the body to acute and chronic exercise training. Students are also familiarised with laboratory tests of physical performance to assess components of fitness and capacity for work and rehabilitation.

Characteristics of the scientific process; controlled experimentation; types of experimental design. LO 1,2
Principles of data analysis: hypothesis forming and testing; statistical modelling and testing LO 1,2
Professional codes of practice and ethics; risk assessment; data protection.  LO 1,2,4
Basic mathematical and statistical skills and applications to research and data analysis LO 4
Cardiovascular and respiratory aspects of exercise and the effects of exercise on the dynamics of gas exchange and blood gas transport. LO 1,2, 3
Exercise metabolism and nutrition: acute and chronic metabolic responses to exercise. LO 2,4
Nutritional components and influence on sport and exercise performance and injury. LO 4
Thermoregulation and fluid balance as relevant to sport exercise and sports therapy.  LO 4
Muscle function, strength testing and resistance exercise in sports performance and the sports therapy process.
Body composition analysis using different measurement methods and understanding the relevance of the testing and of the composition to sports performance and to the sports therapy process.

Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of the various aspects of research planning and execution through a series of lectures, workshops and IT-based practicals. Throughout the module students will be guided towards the use of IT-based approaches to literature searching, data analysis, and the presentation of results, and will be expected to exploit these fully and effectively in their work. Directed study is provided in the form of practice statistical problems and analyses. Theory sessions are supported in all cases by laboratory based practical sessions.
On completion of this module students’ provide an evaluation of how the module allowed them to develop skills such as information technology, organisational skills, team building and communication.

On completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Understand the contribution and responses of the cardiovascular, respiratory and muscular systems to exercise and rehabilitation. 
2. Understand the relevance of nutrition to sport and exercise, illness and injury.   
3. Understand the contribution of muscle strength and the use of resistance training in performance and in the context of Sports Therapy.
4. Collect physiological and performance as well as body composition measurements during exercise and report the results appropriately.
5. Develop basic statistical skills required to enable research in sport and data analysis; identify appropriate tests for a given dataset; run a variety of statistical tests using a commercially-available software package.

Assessment is coursework based and comprises two components.
1. Knowledge and application of methods of data analysis will be assessed by set statistical problems.

To pass the module students need to achieve a minimum aggregate mark of 50%.

Component    Learning outcomes
Statistics problems                  1

Textbooks
Vincent WJ (2005). Statistics in Kinesiology. 3rd Ed. Human Kinetics. 519.207 VIN

Thomas JR, Nelson JK & Silverman SJ (2005). Research Methods in Physical Activity, 5th Ed. Human Kinetics. 613.71072 THO

Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook, 3 rd edn. Palgrave.

Field, A. (2013) Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. Sage.

Moore, D.S. and McCabe, G.P. (2003) Introduction to the Practice of Statistics. 4th edn.  Freeman.

Thomas, J.R., Nelson, J.K., and Silverman, S.J. (2005) Research Methods in Physical Activity, Human Kinetics.

Cooper, C. Press (2001). Exercise Testing and Interpretation: A Practical Approach Paperback. Cambridge University Press.

McArdle, WD, Katch, FI and Katch, VL (2007) Exercise Physiology. 6th edn. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Shephard, R.J. and Åstrand, P.-O. (Eds.) (2000) Endurance in Sport. 2nd edn. Blackwell Scientific Publications.

Online resources
Lane, M. (2013) Hyperstat Online Satistics Textbook. Available at http://davidmlane.com/hyperstat/index.html (Accessed 13 September 2016).