Exercise as Medicine MSc

What you'll study

Core study areas include physical activity, measurement and evaluation; physical activity epidemiology; exercise, health, medicine and society; exercise, testing and prescription; interventions for physical activity promotion; and quantitative research, plus a research project where you will have the opportunity to complete a research study under the supervision of academic staff.

Modules

The Exercise as Medicine programme covers a wide range of topics; to give you a taster we have expanded on some of the core modules affiliated with this programme and the specific assessment methods associated with each module.

Exercise Testing and Prescription

Exercise Testing and Prescription

Aims

The aims of this module are for students to develop knowledge and competency in a wide range of exercise testing and prescription skills related to behavioural and physiological phenotype measurements including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, health, and fitness and to prepare students to undertake laboratory-based research/enterprise in exercise medicine.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the principles on which techniques for measurement in human movement behaviours and physiology are based;
• demonstrate systematic understanding of methods for evaluating the accuracy and precision in making physiological and behavioural measurements;
• critically assess and evaluate data from intervention studies on human exercise physiology and physical activity and sedentary behaviour;
• critically interpret data and text from studies on human exercise physiology and physical activity and sedentary behaviour;
• research and assess facts, theories and concepts;
• demonstrate practical skills in a range of relevant and current laboratory techniques used in exercise testing and prescription for the measurement of human physiological and behavioural responses to exercise (or lack thereof);
• calibrate equipment/technologies used in the study of exercise physiology, exercise for health, and behaviour change;
• interpret and evaluate research reports with specific reference to methodology;
• write clearly and concisely;
• find information from a wide range of sources;
• work efficiently utilising a range of computer applications and information sources;
• improve the management of their own learning.

Epidemiology of Physical Activity

Epidemiology of Physical Activity

Aims

The aims of this module are for students to understand and analyse:

• the concepts and principles which underpin physical activity epidemiology;
• the evidence concerning population prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behaviour;
• the evidence concerning the major health outcomes of physical activity;

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of:

• the key concepts, principles, and approaches which are relevant to physical activity epidemiology;
• the principles required to both generate and undertake critical appraisal of epidemiological evidence;
• the strengths and weaknesses of epidemiological evidence underpinning physical and mental health outcomes associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour;
• the wider determinants of physical and mental health that may influence physical and sedentary activity behaviours;
• apply the key concepts, principles, and approaches relevant to physical activity epidemiology;
• summarise and critically evaluate key findings concerning population prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behaviour;
• critically evaluate the evidence for health outcomes associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour;
• communicate clearly orally and in writing;
• solve complex problems;
• plan and manage learning;
• critically analyse and interpret research evidence.

Interventions for Physical Activity Promotion

Interventions for Physical Activity Promotion

Aims
The aims of this module are for students:

• To critically assess the scientific evidence surrounding different interventions which seek to influence population physical activity levels;
• To develop and apply knowledge of the process of planning, implementing and evaluating physical activity interventions;
• To demonstrate a practical understanding of the challenges associated with designing, implementing and evaluating physical activity interventions;
• To develop a comprehensive understanding of the policy landscape for physical activity interventions.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able:

• Comprehensively describe examples of evidence based physical activity interventions;
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of evidence based and theoretical approaches to planning, implementing and evaluating physical activity interventions;
• Demonstrate a practical understanding of the challenges associated with designing, implementing and evaluating physical activity interventions;
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the policy landscape for physical activity interventions.
• Critically appraise different approaches to changing physical activity behaviour in specific populations;
• Recognise the theoretical underpinnings of interventions for physical activity promotion;
• Select appropriate methods for evaluating effectiveness and cost effectiveness of interventions using relevant theories and frameworks;
• Identify limitations of the existing evidence base in physical activity promotion interventions;
• Devise a programme for planning, implementing, and evaluating an evidence based physical activity intervention for a specific population/setting.

Physical Activity Measurement and Evaluation

Physical Activity Measurement and Evaluation

Aims

The aims of this module are for students to gain practical experience and competencies in measurement and quantification of health, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, exercise and fitness. Students will also develop transferable skills in data organisation, analysis and interpretation.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of:

• Epidemiological evidence relating physical activity and sedentary behaviours to health outcomes, from an evaluation and measurement perspective;
• Different methods and approaches used in physical activity measurement and evaluation;
• Critically appraise epidemiological evidence relating physical activity and sedentary behaviours to health outcomes, from an evaluation and measurement perspective;
• Critically evaluate different methods and approaches used in physical activity measurement and evaluation, including sources of error and bias;
• Demonstrate competencies in a variety of methods used to quantify health, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, exercise and fitness across a range of contexts, including national surveillance, activity promotion, rehabilitation and interventions;
• Select and measure outcomes using the Standard Evaluation Framework for Physical Activity.

Exercise, Health, Medicine and Society

Exercise, Health, Medicine and Society

Aims

The aim of this module is for the student to examine the sociological study of exercise, medicine and health. It examines concepts and theories used in the sociology of medicine and health to explore the way that people have increasingly sought to use exercise and medicine to enhance their health, and how medicine has increasingly sought to use sport/exercise for the promotion of health.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the complex and multiple ways in which sport/exercise, health and medicine interrelate in policy and practice;
• demonstrate a critical sociological imagination/insight based on relevant theoretical, conceptual and methodological skills;
• systematically apply knowledge and theoretical concepts from the sociology of health and medicine to a variety of social issues regarding the interrelationships of sport/exercise, medicine and health.

Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research

This module gives you a critical understanding and appreciation of statistical theory and its application in psychology, sport, exercise and health sciences, and the opportunity to gain a working knowledge of common statistical procedures in psychology, sport, exercise and health sciences research.

Project in Exercise as Medicine

Project in Exercise as Medicine

Your research project is an opportunity to complete a research study under the supervision of our academic staff. This could include the areas of epidemiology, interventions, measurement, application of novel sensors for behaviour change, risk factors for chronic disease/health, clinical testing and exercise prescription, among others.