96303 Conditioning the High Performance Athlete
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject examines the role of resistance training, aerobic/anaerobic conditioning, and other contemporary techniques that are used to prepare high performance athletes. Students develop a strong understanding of the fundamental principles which underpin the training response, as well as learn to critically evaluate emerging techniques within the strength and conditioning field. Additionally, this subject equips students with an in-depth understanding of training prescription that can be utilised in any field that prescribes exercise (e.g. exercise physiology, physiotherapy, exercise rehabilitation). The strategies and interventions explored in this course focus on enhancing performance, increasing robustness, and reducing the risk of injury for high performance athletes - core skills essential for professionals working in high-performance sport. Students will engage in problem-solving and critical thinking activities which promote independent learning and the effective translation of expertise into practice.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Articulate the mechanical demands and physiological responses to a range of training modalities. |
|---|---|
| B. | Assess the physical capacities critical to sport performance and injury reduction, and apply this information to develop individualised training programs. |
| C. | Design and implement structured training programs to improve physical capacity/function and increase robustness in the context of long-term athlete development. |
| D. | Integrate objective and subjective information to modify physical training programs that are responsive to the needs of the individual athletes. |
| E. | Select and evaluate quality information sources relating to athlete preparation, with a particular focus on the critical appraisal of techniques with limited scientific evidence. |
| F. | Critically evaluate training programs designed for high-performance sports performance, and communicate program design to a range of stakeholders. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Adapt to an extensive array of stakeholder circumstances and integrate evidence to empower optimal and sustainable sport, exercise and health outcomes for service users. (1.2)
- Expertly solve problems by applying advanced methodologies of sport, exercise and health interventions in a logical and systematic manner; and the ability to document decisions appropriately. (2.2)
- Demonstrate expert judgement, legal responsibility and ethical accountability to practise within the ethical boundaries of high performance sport professions and in accordance with professional practice, governance and privacy obligations to uphold ethical practice and the values of sporting excellence, fairness and athlete safety and wellbeing. (3.1)
- Expertly apply high-quality knowledge and technical and non-technical skills within sport, exercise and health professions to contribute to the safe development of specialist and non-specialist audiences. (4.1)
- Expertly integrate expertise and synthesise evidence to determine the validity and reliability of a range of advanced methodologies, tools and techniques and employ those relevant to high performance sport practice. (4.2)
- Demonstrate holistic collaboration with key stakeholders to expertly design, deliver and interpret safe, effective and evidence-based high performance sports interventions for service users in an inclusive and non-discriminatory manner. (5.1)
- Expertly communicate with key stakeholders and adapt to challenging, complex and diverse industry contexts to create positive and professional relationships in a high performance sport environment. (5.2)
Teaching and learning strategies
Learning in this subject is designed to place students at the centre of the learning experience, in part through the use of a range of modes and activities. Four online modules will form the foundations of the subject, with the addition of a face-to-face workshop and a practical exam in the end-of-session block.
The subject content will be delivered in the online platform Canvas. In order to be prepared for the planned collaborative activities and to keep on top the subject workload, students are encouraged to engage with the content on at least a weekly basis. The class will receive weekly feedback directly from the subject coordinator on activities and topics from that week. Content will remain available past the specific delivery week, however students will get more out of the subject if they work consistently on a week-to-week basis rather than leaving it all to the end of the session.
In line with industry practices, students will be required to interact and communicate information in a variety of formats, including in written and verbal forms (e.g. upload video), and through the use of technology integration (e.g. strength and conditioning programming software).
Throughout the subject, teaching and learning strategies will also foster the development of self-discovery/self-directed learning skills, as well as critical thinking skills. They will challenge students to consider how they can apply learnt concepts to real world environments. Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate application of what they have learned, with individual feedback provided following each of the four assessment tasks.
Content (topics)
Module 0: State of the profession
- Professional roles and responsibilities
- Integration with high performance teams and medical staff
- Competency vs Knowledge
- Art vs science: adapting to experience
- What is the ultimate goal of strength and conditioning?
- Individual vs team sports
Module 1: Resistance training for the high performance athlete
- The textbook: developing strength, hypotrophy and power
- What is the underlying physiology in strength training adaptation?
- Force-Velocity and Length-tension relationships
- Eccentric overload: why is it different?
- Strength training and endurance performance
- Isometric exercise interventions
- Strength training for youth athletes
- Testing to inform prescription
Module 2: Conditioning the athlete for their sport
- Cardio: central vs peripheral adaptations
- Targets of conditioning: what are the expected outcomes?
- Testing and prescription tools: why does it matter?
- Prescribing common environmental interventions
- Psychobiological training concepts
- Developing the elite endurance athlete
- Speed development and change of direction
Module 3: Translation to sports performance
- Art vs Science: is it a war?
- Warm-ups: supported by science?
- Concurrent training and order effects
- Training periodisation
- Detraining responses
- Female athlete considerations
- Concurrent training
- Adaptative athletes and Paralympic sports
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Exploring Current Topics in Strength and Conditioning
| Intent: | The intent of this assessment is for students to explore, critically appraise and communicate a contemporary concept in conditioning high performance athletes. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 4.2 and 5.2 |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Part I (10%) - 4 x 150-200 words (total 600-800 words); |
Assessment task 2: Design, deliver and assess a longitudinal training program
| Intent: | The intent of this assessment is for students to critically analyse the physical demands of a specific sport and develop a holistic training program aimed to improve performance and resilience. Students will then be required to communicate this program to a variety of stakeholders, with various technical backgrounds. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): C, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.2, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 1 x seasonal overview created in Visualcoaching Pro (to be submitted as a pdf), |
Assessment task 3: Delivering a Strength Training Session
| Intent: | The intent of this assessment is for students to implement a training program aimed at improving athlete performance and resilience. Students will be required to explore concepts around program communication and implementation this program with an athlete, as well as explain and justify the rationale around exercise prescriptions. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 3.1, 4.2 and 5.1 |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 60 min coaching session; 20 minute live Zoom with assessor |
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