Sports and Exercise Medicine

Module Aims

• Critically analyse and evaluate the application of anatomy and physiology to sports and exercise performance, synthesising knowledge to assess benefits and contraindications.
• Critically examine and interpret the psychological aspects of sport and exercise performance across diverse populations, developing strategies to enhance performance and participation.

Module Summary

• Anatomy and physiology of muscle, innervation, function and biochemistry.
• Role of calcium, vitamin D, protein and hormonal control of muscle.
• Types of exercise (aerobic/anaerobic) and types of exercise programmes/individualising exercise.
• Training regimes – endurance, power, HIT, improving performance.
• Psychology of exercise. How to motivate the patient to exercise.
• How to motivate the athlete.

Learning Outcomes

1. Synthesise and critically evaluate the anatomical, physiological, and psychological aspects of sport and exercise performance to design individualised training/exercise programmes for patients/athletes.
2. Analyse and evaluate motivating factors that influence exercise participation, developing strategies to address barriers and enhance adherence.

Module Aims

• Evaluate and synthesise evidence on the benefits of exercise in chronic diseases, critically analysing its impact on population health and behaviour change.
• Design and justify tailored exercise interventions for individuals with chronic diseases, demonstrating advanced clinical reasoning and application of current research.

Module Summary

• Impact of reduced exercise upon the individual and across populations.
• Limitations of disease and population characteristics upon exercise or sport.
• Types of exercise appropriate for diseases.
• Evidence based benefits of exercise in specific conditions/disorders/diseases.
• Introducing sports and exercise programmes across populations.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically assess the impact of exercise on diverse populations and chronic diseases, integrating current research findings.
2. Formulate and justify evidence-based exercise programmes for specific chronic diseases, critically evaluating benefits, contraindications, and applications.

Module Aims

• Critically appraise and develop comprehensive approaches to injury prevention across various sports and exercises, including advanced exercise techniques, equipment design, and rehabilitation strategies.
• Analyse and evaluate protocols for return to play after illness and return to exercise, considering complex physiological, psychological, and sport-specific factors.

Module Summary

• Specific programmes of exercise designed to prevent injury.
• Evidence based equipment and techniques used in the prevention of and rehabilitation of injury.
• Evidence and guidelines regarding return to play following injury.
• Evidence and guidelines relating to return to exercise following acute illness/disease.

Learning Outcomes

1. Evaluate and synthesise evidence and guidelines for injury prevention in sport and exercise across health and disease spectra, including critical assessment of preventive devices and equipment.
2. Develop and defend evidence-based return-to-play or exercise protocols for athletes following injury, illness, and/or disease, considering individual and sport-specific factors.

Module Aims

• Critically evaluate and synthesise knowledge of common injuries sustained in sport and exercise activities, developing advanced diagnostic skills.
• Analyse and critique current investigative methods for sport-and exercise-related injuries, proposing evidence-based improvements to diagnostic processes.

Module Summary

• Common injuries sustained whilst undertaking exercise/sport relating to musculoskeletal injuries (Muscular injury, common bone injury, neurological injury, lacerations, tendon and joint injuries).
• Common and uncomplicated injury of the entire body: head, neck, lumbar spine, cardiovascular, upper and lower limb.
• Injury associated with prescribed exercise programmes.
• Avoidance of injury and evidence based devices to reduce or eliminate injury.
• Accurate diagnosis of injury through appropriate history and examination.

Learning Outcomes

1. Formulate accurate diagnoses for a variety of sport-/exercise-related injuries, integrating advanced clinical reasoning and current evidence.
2. Design and justify appropriate investigation strategies for individuals presenting with sport-/exercise-related injuries, considering cost-effectiveness and patient-specific factors.

Module Aims

• Critically assess and develop advanced management strategies for common sports and exercise-related injuries, integrating current research and best practices.
• Evaluate and design comprehensive rehabilitation approaches following illness, considering individual patient factors and long-term outcomes.

Module Summary

• Specific approaches to the management of exercise and sports-related injuries.
• Rehabilitation of individuals with sports related injuries.
• Role of exercise in the rehabilitation of individuals suffering illness/disease.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically evaluate and develop appropriate management strategies for individuals with sports and exercise-related injuries, including the design of specific rehabilitation programmes.
2. Synthesise and apply principles of exercise-related rehabilitation and behaviour modification in the development of comprehensive recovery plans for injured individuals.

Module Aims

• Critically analyse the roles and contributions of various healthcare professionals in managing subjects with sports and exercise-related injuries, evaluating interprofessional dynamics.
• Synthesise and evaluate strategies for effective interaction among healthcare professionals in the management of sports and exercise-related injuries.
• Develop and critically appraise educational strategies for managing subjects with acute and chronic injuries, considering diverse learning needs and current pedagogical research.

Module Summary

• Educational strategies employed in the management of acute and chronic injury.
• Role of the multidisciplinary team in the management of the injured patient.
• Multidisciplinary approaches to encouraging exercise across the population.
• The evolving role of the sports physician, nurse, physiotherapist and biomechanist in sports and exercise medicine.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse the multi-disciplinary approach to managing sports-and exercise-related injuries, evaluating the evolving role of healthcare professionals in sport- and exercise-related medicine.
2. Develop and evaluate educational strategies in sport and exercise medicine, considering diverse learning needs and current pedagogical research.

As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.

Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.

Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.

When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.

You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.

You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.

The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.

We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.

Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.

Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.

All of our courses are delivered in English, so proficiency in the English language is essential for success. If English is not your first language, we require proof of competency as part of your application. We accept the following as proof of English Language skills:

We Accept a Range of English Language Qualifications
While IELTS and TOEFL are among the most commonly used English tests, we understand that students come from diverse backgrounds — and we’re happy to work with you to accept a wide range of other recognised English language qualifications.

We accept IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Our most commonly accepted test, IELTS is globally recognised and widely used for university admissions.

We accept TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Another widely accepted test, TOEFL assesses your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in an academic setting.

We accept English Medium of Instruction (EMI) Letters
Many of our international students provide an EMI (English Medium Instruction) letter from their previous institution. This letter should confirm that you were taught in the medium of English. It is a popular and widely accepted form of proof, especially if you have completed prior academic studies in English.

Our University partners Requirements
The University of South Wales accepts an overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 for each band) and The University of Buckingham accepts an overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 for each band).

Our Flexible Instalment Plan is designed to offer ultimate flexibility to pay for your programme. You have the choice of two payment options:

Make an Upfront Payment in Full: For those who prefer to settle their fees upfront, you can pay the full amount at the beginning of your programme.

Interest-Free Payments: Alternatively, you can choose to spread your payments out with interest-free instalments every month for the duration of your course.

These options are separate from our existing lending partners, which you can explore further on our programme pages. We believe that education should be accessible to all, and our Flexible Instalment Plan is just one of the ways we are committed to supporting you in your academic journey.

We currently offer two discounts: the Early Bird Discount and the Action Taker Discount. The Early Bird discount allows you to save up to £500 or more, available only to self-funders and is a limited-time offer that runs for the entirety of November for the March cohort or the entirety of May for the September cohort. Our Action Taker Discount allows you to save up to £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify for Action Takers, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance.

For Early Bird Discounts, the discount is visible if your application and acceptance are completed within the required timeframe. For Action Taker Discounts, it will reflect once conditions are met.