Sport & Exercise Science

What is the BSc (Hons) in Sport & Exercise Science?

The BSc (Hons) in Sport & Exercise Science is a full-time, four-year, honours degree course of study that can be chosen within the Exercise Sciences Common Entry Route. The BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science programme will give graduates the knowledge and skills to evaluate sport and athletic performance from a biomechanical, physiological and psychological perspective.  They will then be capable of working with athletes and coaches on an ongoing basis to improve performance, health and well-being. The programme will emphasise the traditional sports science disciplines of biomechanics, physiology and psychology but also newer applied sports science disciplines including strength and conditioning, sports nutrition and team performance analysis.

At the end of the programme, graduates will be able to:

• Measure, analyse and evaluate athletic performance using sports science laboratory apparatus and analysis software
• Evaluate psychological profiles and mood states using sports psychology assessment tools
• Assist athletes and coaches in improving performance during the training year and in preparation for major competitions in challenging environments
• Plan sports-specific strength and conditioning programmes for athletes and teams
• Assist athletes and coaches in distinguishing fact from fiction with reference to the sports science research literature

Programme features

Staff

• Department staff have extensive experience providing sports science support to elite athletes and teams. This includes
• Assisting elite teams and athletes of the region in monitoring body composition changes during the training year
• Working with intercounty GAA teams and various athletes in strength and conditioning, psychology and nutritional support roles
• Providing ongoing performance testing for elite cyclists and triathletes as well as teams
• Working with the Sport Ireland Institute to assist elite student athlete development
• Acting as a performance physiologist with Sport Ireland Institute
• Acting as Team Ireland's Paralympic Sport Psychologist
• Acting as the sports psychologist with professional and amateur jockeys
• Providing sports psychology support to Olympic, World and European athletes in Irish boxing

Previously staff have

• Provided sports science support to the Irish Paralympic team over the Beijing and London Olympic cycles
• Provided sports psychology, sport science and backup team support at the Olympic Games in London and Rio
• Provided on-site sport psychology support at the London and Tokyo games

Facilities

Laboratories and apparatus available for practical classes and research projects include 3 human performance laboratories, a high-performance gym, access to a DEXA body composition and bio-electrical impedance analysers, Dartfish and Nacsport performance analysis software and Powerlab data acquisition systems.  Certain classes are delivered in the teaching and laboratory facilities of the SETU Waterford ARENA.

Placement

A 300 hour work placement offers supervised experience in a sport and exercise science environment. The Department has an extensive network of placement opportunities or students may be able to organise their own. Examples include:

• Undertaking performance analysis with Premiership football clubs
• Assisting with strength and conditioning programmes with professional rugby clubs
• Personal trainer in community and private enterprises
• Providing sports science support to athletes or teams
• Working in sports science centres and laboratories

Research and Project Work

Students in the programme have an opportunity to experience the full research process culminating in the completion of a dissertation in the final year of the programme.  Students will benefit from exposure to the sport and exercise science PhD research ongoing in the Department including:

• evaluation of functional movement screening for injury prevention
• relative age effect in soccer talent development
• Gaining a better understanding of online sports coaching
• Jockey transition into retirement
• Behaviour change in jockeys
• Influence of making weight on jockey health and performance
• Performance characteristics of Olympic combat sports
• Body composition and performance in elite female athletes
• Sprint performance and resistance-based training interventions
• Effects of strength training on performance in endurance athletes
• Career transitions in student athletes

Awards

Several REPS Ireland accreditations are built into this programme. After successfully completing year 2, students will be eligible for the Fitness Instruction, Group Fitness Instruction and Personal Training accreditations.