Sports Therapy

Students will explore human anatomy with specific reference to function and movement. Students will learn key terminology relating to the muscular system, skeletal system and nervous system and how these structures function and relate to movement. The module will include a practical element to put anatomy into practice by identifying and locating bony landmarks as well as different soft tissue structures and how to test them. Students will also gain a basic yet broad grounding in key physiological systems that underpin sport and exercise performance. Students undertaking this module will extend their basic knowledge of physiology and will gain the foundation of knowledge required for sport and exercise physiology-based modules at levels five and six.

The aim of this module is to introduce and develop students’ skills and knowledge to conduct objective clinical assessments. Objective assessments are essential in screening for pathologies and students will develop their assessment skills to interpret assessment findings. Students will start to develop their subjective assessment skills in line with their level of study to interpret findings in conjunction with the objective assessment outcomes. They will formulate working hypotheses for common basic sporting and exercise injuries using an evidence-based framework. Students will also consider professional communication used in Sports Therapy practice to ensure appropriate patient- centred care, making sure all legal aspects including informed consent are included in their professional practice.

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the generic healing processes of soft tissue injuries and how to manage these in the acute phase. Students will explore the phases of healing and the soft tissue interventions that can be applied at each phase. Students will also be trained in the appropriate selection and application of sports massage and advanced soft tissue techniques and in how to review these techniques for efficiency with supporting literature. Students will also develop the required skills of how to apply safe and effective basic and advanced life support for an individual requiring pitch-side first aid including training in CPR and defibrillation. Students will learn how to conduct an effective subjective assessment for sports massage, which considers the medicological requirements and necessary precautions and contraindications. They will learn how to apply soft tissue interventions and develop a suitable treatment plan that meets the needs of the client.

The aim of this module is to help develop the understanding and application of exercise prescription, training adaptations and biomechanics to facilitate the design of appropriate exercise programmes. This includes the application of principles of exercise training to coach healthy individuals to achieve their health and fitness goals, through the planning and delivery of personalised exercise programmes and instruction. Students will explore the physical adaptations that take place because of training and will gain an understanding of movement biomechanics. The module will also explore how research has been conducted in areas of research prescription, training adaptations and biomechanics as a route to introduce students to the importance of research and explore the different philosophies that underpin scientific research in sport and exercise. It will also introduce a variety of specific qualitative and quantitative methods appropriate for the interdisciplinary study of sport and exercise. Students will also be introduced to key concepts such as ethics, validity, and reliability which will be developed later in the programme.

The aim of this module is to develop students’ skills and knowledge in clinical examination and assessment to accurately screen for musculoskeletal conditions and be able to provide working hypotheses and differential diagnoses for peripheral and spinal injuries. Students will develop their clinical decision-making skills to be able to select, apply and interpret findings from objective assessments. Considerations for patient referral, screening for red flags and other non-MSK pathologies will be covered along with providing individualised patient centred care.

The aim of this module is to introduce students to musculoskeletal therapeutic interventions for treating peripheral and spinal injuries and enhance their critical thinking skills through evaluating the scientific theory and efficacy in clinical practice. Students will be introduced to a range of musculoskeletal therapeutic interventions (including manual therapy for peripheral and spinal joints and electrotherapy) for practical application and use the underpinning theory to set short and long term treatment goals for injury management along with developing comprehensive evidence-based treatment plans.

This module will build on the student’s knowledge of scientific exercise principles to understand the early and intermediate stages of rehabilitation. Using students existing knowledge on optimal tissue healing students will consider and practically apply rehabilitation exercises, including progressions and regressions to aid the patient back to daily function, and consider the requirements to progress patients onto later stages of rehabilitation. This module will develop students coaching experience, communication strategies and ability to design effective rehabilitation programmes focusing on injuries in different regions of the body. Students will also consider restrictions patients may face during rehabilitation, the psychological aspect of injury management using a range of behaviour change models and select evidence-based exercises to review their efficacy.

The aim of this module is to develop understanding of and ability to interpret quantitative research such that it informs intervention for MSK injuries. Furthermore, it aims to develop interpersonal and communication skills which are central to developing relationships with clients. This module will examine quantitative approaches to research in sport. An emphasis will be placed on practical research and critical skills alongside a broad awareness of ethical issues in sports research to start preparing them for the requirements of a dissertation. Through exploring research this module will enable students to communicate with clients during a subjective history to gain as much relevant information as possible. It will cover topics such as Flags, Pain and other complex theoretical principles that underpin a sports therapist’s role. This module will develop the essential clinical skills required for the remainder of the programme.

This module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of planning, executing, and presenting an in-depth, independent research project focused on a specific area within sport and exercise. Students will select their project focus through consultation with tutors, ensuring alignment with their interests and the curriculum. Students will also develop a strong awareness of appropriate research methodologies for empirical studies, emphasising analytical and evaluative approaches. Throughout the module, students will receive guidance on research design, data collection, and analysis techniques. This hands-on project offers a valuable opportunity for students to critically examine a topic of personal and academic significance, contributing to their professional and academic development.

The aim of this module is to continue to advance student’s knowledge in complex and multi-factorial patient cases. Drawing on their existing knowledge in pathologies students will study the epidemiology of injuries to consider injury prevention strategies, management and treatment for complex sporting injuries and specialist populations. Students will also consider the multi-disciplinary roles in the management of complex cases and the importance of health education. Students will review emerging treatment options in sports therapy and critically evaluate these and also learn pre- hospital emergency care for life and limb threatening injuries for athletes and patients.

This module will build on students existing rehabilitation knowledge to move into the demands of late- stage rehabilitation and return to play protocols. Concepts of agility, plyometrics and speed for Sports Therapy will be introduced and how they can be incorporated into rehabilitation programmes, along with different physiology testing. Students will receive practical coaching experience, including planning and developing sessions (periodisation) for a variety of different speed and agility exercises / drills whilst enhancing their understanding necessary to create speed and agility sessions with appropriate warm-ups for common sporting injuries. Return to play protocols and sports-specific rehabilitation will be explored for multiple sports and settings, whilst considering how this may be adapted based on access to facilities or training environments.

This module will enable students to put their existing skills and knowledge into practice by actively participating in the assessment and management of a client caseload under the guidance of a placement educator. Students will have the opportunity to work in a variety of healthcare settings, in addition to the university student run sports therapy clinic. Students will be required to complete 250 placement hours to form the module assessment.

Attendance is mandatory on placement unless there are extenuating circumstances agreed with the placement manager and programme lead.

This module also explores graduate career opportunities for Sports Therapists and specially focuses on the management demands on establishing private businesses. This module will explore the demands and practicalities of setting up a small business.