Sport Physiology

In this unit students will understand the importance of exercise physiology in sport and exercise performance, including elite sports and recreational exercise. This unit focuses on: the physiological requirements of sport, the importance of physiological systems in athlete performance; and the principles underlying physiological exercise testing from both a theoretical and practical perspective, with an emphasis on sports specificity and field-based and laboratory-based testing. Practical sessions require students to administer and interpret exercise tests that are fundamental to sport physiology including: maximal oxygen consumption, agility, speed, muscle strength and power testing. Students gain an understanding of how exercise training is monitored as well as practical experience using state-of-the-art technology (global positioning systems and accelerometers). This unit discusses the value of quality data collection, analysis and interpretation and how to communicate this information to coaching staff and athletes.