Module JXH-1053:
Principles of Strength & Conditioning

Module Facts

Run by School of Human and Behavioural Sciences

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Overall aims and purpose

Ever wondered how strength & conditioning specialists help to improve the physical performance of elite athletes? How do we assess the training needs of athletes from a variety of sports? How do we prepare athletes for training, and effectively design and deliver conditioning sessions to maximise the athletes performance? This module will provide you with the fundamental theoretical concepts and practical techniques to help answer these questions. If you are seeking a career working with high-performance and professional athletes this module will start your journey within the multi-disciplinary and exciting field of strength and conditioning.

Course content

The module is delivered by accredited staff who have worked as practitioners in the field of strength and conditioning within professional and performance sport pathways, and are active consultants and reasearchers in the field. During the course, you will learn about the fundamental theories of training science, how factors such as individual athlete profiles, the physiological demands and injury profile of the sport can affect the strength and conditioning process. Alongside theoretical concepts of training you will practice the fundamental practical techniques underpinning the delivery of training, such as speed, strength and endurance training.

Topics may include:

  • Principles of training;
  • The needs analysis process;
  • Energetic and movement demands of different sports;
  • Injury profiles and individual athlete considerations;
  • Program and session design, introduction to RAMP warm-up;
  • Exercise programming for strength and power training;
  • Exercise programming for endurance and metabolic training;
  • Exercise programming for speed and agility training.

Assessment Criteria

excellent

Students will be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the theoretical principles of strength and conditioning and the needs analysis process. They will also demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of training prescription and how to apply this knowledge to the design of clear and professionally appropriate strength and conditioning training sessions.

good

Students will be able to demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the theoretical principles of strength and conditioning and the needs analysis process. They will also demonstrate a good knowledge of training prescription and how to apply this knowledge to the design of clear strength and conditioning training sessions.

threshold

Students will be able to demonstrate an adequate knowledge and understanding of the theoretical principles of strength and conditioning and the needs analysis process. They will also demonstrate an adequate knowledge of training prescription and the application of this knowledge to the design of strength and conditioning training sessions.

Learning outcomes

  1. Understand basic theoretical principles of strength & conditioning

  2. Understand the process of the needs analysis from a strength and conditioning perspective

  3. Apply the basic theoretical principles of strength and conditioning to session design

  4. Demonstrate competence in written communication appropriate to strength and conditioning practice

Assessment Methods

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Practical classes and workshops

Practical sessions will give students experiental learning in the application of strength and conditioning principles to session design. 3 x 2 hr practical sessions to include, Practical 1: Preparing for training, the fundamentals of the warm-up (RAMP: Raise, Activate, Mobilise and Potentiate); Practical 2: Strength and power practical, introduction to differing resistance training techniques; Practical 3: Speed and agility and endurance training practical.

 6
Lecture

Lectures will cover key theoretical principles of strength and conditioning and the needs analysis process. 7 x 2hr lectures to include - Lecture 1: Overview of module content and assessment, six foundation principles, components of fitness and terminology used within strength and conditioning; Lecture 2: Overview of the needs analysis process, sport, injury and athlete demands; Lecture 3: Demands of sport, energetic and movement demands of different sports; Lecture 4: Injury profiles and individual athlete considerations, injury profiles of sport and how this may affect the S&C process, introduction to athlete screening and performance diagnostics; Lecture 5: Program and session design, introduction to program planning and terminology, designing training sessions, the warm-up; Lecture 6: Exercise programming: Introduction to strength and power training; Lecture 7: Exercise programming: Introduction to endurance and metabolic training; Lecture 8: Exercise programming: Introduction to speed and agility training.

 16
Private study

The student is expect to spend this time previewing and reviewing lecture material, reading articles (53 hours) and preparing for examinations and coursework (25 hours). Preparation for the MCQ exam (10 hours) will be based on content from the initial 4 x 2 hr lectures; preparation and writing the session plan (15 hours) will be based on the remaining 4 x 2 hr lectures and aided by experiental learning from the 3 x 2 hr practical sessions.

 78

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Subject specific skills

  • research and assess paradigms, theories, principles, concepts and factual information, and apply such skills in explaining and solving problems
  • describe, synthesise, interpret, analyse and evaluate information and data relevant to a professional or vocational context
  • apply knowledge to the solution of familiar and unfamiliar problems
  • demonstrate effective written and/or oral communication and presentation skills
  • work effectively independently and with others
  • take and demonstrate responsibility for their own learning and continuing personal and professional development
  • self-appraise and reflect on practice
  • plan and design practical activities using appropriate techniques and procedures whilst demonstrating high levels of relevant skills
  • develop transferable skills of relevance to careers outside of sport, health and exercise sciences.
  • communicate succinctly at a level appropriate to different audiences.
  • develop justifiable and/or evidence-based interventions

Resources

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/jxh-1053.html

Reading list

https://rl.talis.com/3/bangor/lists/C6A98FEA-05B8-55F7-DEFB-C20FA8615F71.html?lang=en

Haff, G.G., & Triplett, N.T., (Eds.) (2016). Essentials of Strength & Conditioning. National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Turner, A., & Comfort, P., (Eds.) (2018). Advanced Strength and Conditioning: An evidence based approach. London, Routledge.

Bompa, T. O., & Bompa, T. O. (1999). Periodization: Theory and methodology of training. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

McGuigan (2017). Monitoring Training and Performance in Athletes. Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL

Courses including this module