FdSc Exercise, Health and Fitness

Course

In St Helens

£ 7,500 VAT inc.

Description

  • Type

    Course

  • Level

    Intermediate

  • Location

    St helens

  • Duration

    2 Years

  • Start date

    Different dates available

The prevalence of diseases that are associated with physical inactivity and poor lifestyle behaviours, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, continues to be a major concern to the nation's health. Our foundation degree in Exercise, Health and Fitness covers a diverse range of topics. It examines the effect of lifestyle choices on health and the psychological determinants that influence lifestyle choices and the strategies that can be used to shape positive behaviour change.

Essentially, the course will teach you how to effectively prescribe exercise to improve fitness and to manage and prevent disease. This will be done by experiential learning taking a very hands on approach to provide you the opportunity to develop your practical and employability skills set to enhance your career prospects.

There are a wide range of careers to choose from and studying the foundation degree in Exercise, Health and Fitness along with the right dedication, can lead to a fulfilling career in the sector.

Facilities

Location

Start date

St Helens (Merseyside)
St Helens College Water Street St Helens, WA10 1PP

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course


This foundation degree will provide a platform for entry into a number of pathways in the health and leisure industry. Past students have progressed into diverse careers upon completion of their studies including: personal training, gym management, public health, lifestyle specialists, exercise referral specialists, cardiac rehabilitation, sports coaches, strength and conditioning specialists, PE teachers and lecturers in sport, exercise and health.

you will need a UCAS tariff score of 80.

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Subjects

  • Fitness
  • Systems
  • Obesity
  • Approach
  • Psychology
  • Physiology
  • Personal Trainer
  • Anatomy
  • Diabetes
  • Trainer
  • Health and Fitness
  • Exercise Psychology
  • Health screening
  • Lifestyle evaluation

Course programme

Year 1

The first year will explore anatomy for exercise where students will gain an in-depth understanding of how the musculoskeletal system operates and interacts during exercise. This will allow students to analyse joint movement and muscle activation for a diverse range of resistance based exercises. In health related fitness students, will develop both consultation, practical and evaluative skills with regards to health screening procedures and fitness testing to inform subsequent exercise recommendations. The module introduction to psychology will provide students with a grounding in the theoretical models used to assess personality and behaviour and how these may influence health. The foundations of physiology module will investigate both the short and long-term adaptations of the body in response to different exercise stimuli in both the cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular systems. Students will undertake a work-based learning module to develop job searching skills, interview techniques, job description analysis as well as skills matching in preparation for employment. To ensure the development of appropriate academic writing and research skills students will also complete the introduction to research methods module which both supports and underpins the successful completion of other level 4 modules.

Year 2

The second year develops further the knowledge and skills gained from study. The physiological basis of health module covers diverse topics such as the use of ergogenic aids to enhance performance as well as looking at the physiological basis of health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and stress. In the role of the personal trainer module the skills required to be a competent personal trainer will be developed with a very hands on practical approach. Additionally, as part of this module students will have the chance to become a certified personal trainer. In health and exercise psychology key themes developed in first year will be further studied to explore the psychological aspects of exercise to enable students to assess motivation to encourage positive behaviour change that can influence health outcomes. Health perspectives and physical activity interventions looks firstly at the epidemiology of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity. A secondary aspect of this module critically explores health initiatives at a local level that aim to improve community health. A compulsory part of second year study is the undertaking of a work placement module called work-based learning two. In this module students secure and undertake a work placement of their choice based on future career aspirations. The aim of the module is to facilitate hands on experiential learning to equip students with the relevant skills to secure employment. Students also have the opportunity to develop their own research proposal in the further research methods module. This involves students presenting their research proposal at a mini-conference and subsequently developing the proposal into a workable project that they will actually undertake if they choose to progress onto the top-up degree.

Year 1 (Level 4)

SS4901 Anatomy for Exercise (20 credits)

The anatomy for exercise will provide students with an in-depth understanding of how the musculoskeletal system operates and interacts during exercise. This will allow students to analyse joint movement and muscle activation for a diverse range of resistance based exercises.

SS4902 Health Related Fitness (20 credits)

Health related fitness introduces students to the components that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Students also given the opportunity to evaluate methods of health education and health promotion. Students given an understanding of the impact of fitness on health outcomes.

SS4903 Introduction to Research Methods (20 credits)

Introduction to research methods introduces students to the basic principles of research design. Students explore descriptive methods of data collection, presentation and analysis. Students are also introduced to methods of report writing.

SS4904 Introduction to Psychology (20 credits)

Introduction to psychology aims to enable students to be introduced to the approaches to psychology and links to health behaviour. Students are introduced to the dimensions of psychology that profoundly impact health choices through the application of theoretical models.

SS4905 Foundations of Physiology (20 credits)

Foundations of physiology provides an understanding of energy production for exercise. It provides an understanding of the structure and function of the cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular systems. Students develop laboratory techniques for the assessment and evaluation of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness. It also provides an understanding of the physiological responses of the body to exercise.

SS4906 Work-based Learning One (20 credits)

Work-based learning one prepares students for independent learning in year two through an introduction to the theory and practice of work-based learning. Students are supported in acquiring the key and capability skills necessary for work-based learning. Students identify methods to demonstrate the learning ahieved in work-based learning.



Year 2 (Level 5)

SS5901 Physiological Basis of Health (20 credits)

Physiological basis of health develops an appreciation of the basic principles of neuroendocrine control of the body's systems. It provides the basis for a physiological understanding of stress and its impact on health. Students examine coronary heart disease and the risk factors associated with its development. Students gain an understanding of the basic principles of exercise prescription for the management of coronary heart disease. Students develop a critical understanding of the impact of ergogenic aids to performance and health.

SS5902 Role of the Personal Trainer (20 credits)

Role of the personal trainer aims to enable students to create effective, individualised exercise programmes based on an analysis of information gathered from health screening, lifestyle evaluation, fitness assessment, exercise counselling and goal setting. It provides theoretical and practical skills to deliver effective personal training sessions and review the outcomes of such sessions. Students use analytical skills to review fitness/lifestyle related concepts that have relevance to effective personal training.

SS5903 Further Research Methods (20 credits)

Further research methods introduces students to advanced principles of both quantitative and qualitative research design. Students are introduced to advanced methods of data analysis. Students also explore methods of computer based data handling analysis.

SS5904 Health and Exercise Psychology (20 credits)

Health and exercise psychology introduces students to psychological determinants of health and exercise. It will develop ability to apply psychological theory to exercise and health. Additionally, students gain insight into the role of psychology in the prevention and management of illness.

SS5905 Health Perspectives and Physical Activity Intervention (20 credits)

Health perspectives and physical activity intervention develops students understanding of the relationship between physical activity, fitness and health. Students' knowledge of landmark research will be developed relating to the associations between physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyles and chronic disease conditions. This will allow students to subsequently understand how interventions can be used to encourage regular physical activity. It develops an understanding of interventions for encouraging physical activity.

SS5906 Work-based Learning Two (20 credits)

Work-based learning 2 allows students to undertake a work placement to enable them to develop the practical and technical skills needed for their aspirational career aim. As such students will independently engage in real workplace activities on a weekly basis in their chosen placement. This module will assist students to develop positive employer links that can facilitate entry into their chosen career route.

Additional information

Assessment methods include practical assessments, case studies, poster presentations, job application skills, mock interviews, work placements, reflective writing, personal development planning, exams, written assignments and research seminar/conference presentation.

FdSc Exercise, Health and Fitness

£ 7,500 VAT inc.