Sports Science MA, Return to Play and Injury Management, 15 credits

Aim

The aim of this course is to give theoretical and practical insights into one of the most discussed topics in contemporary high-performance sport. Given the rapid developments that occur in sport, it is essential to continuously adjust and adapt return to play and injury management guidelines. Performance sport demands a fine balance between training and recovery, peak performance and states of injury, illness or underperformance. Therefore, the overall aim of this course is to provide an evidence-based strategy for the assessment of high-performance athletes. In addition, the course aims to deepen the knowledge in areas closely related to high-performance athletes’ health and well-being.

Course objectives

After completed course, the student should be able to:
1. Possess demonstrable knowledge in theoretical as well as clinical skills in view of return to play strategies.
2. Apply knowledge, insights, problem-solving skills and formulate a concrete strategy in either a specific case (i.e., an individual) or in a broader environment such as team sports.
3. Understand and integrate theoretical and practical knowledge in the context of research.
4. Communicate conclusions, as well as the knowledge, motives and considerations that underlie them, clearly and unambiguously but still with athletes’ best interest in mind to an audience of specialists or non-specialists.

Content

The course content has an approach and starting point in the perspective of "Return to play":

Physiological testing in the lab - methods
Performance training - aerobic and anaerobic
Performance training - strength and power
Concurrent training
Training load and monitoring
Reactive agility
Para-athletes specific needs
Epidemiological overview of sports injuries
Clinical epidemiology - methods
Evidence based prevention and performance strategies
Sports psychology and coping

Entry requirements

A Bachelor degree with at least 180 credits, including a degree project of at least 15 credits, in Sports Science, Sports Medicine or Physiotherapy.

OR

A Bachelor degree consisting of at least 180 credits, including a degree project of at least 15 credits, and a minimum of 60 credits in one or more of the following

subjects: clinical epidemiology, exercise physiology, testing methods in sports

science, kinesiology, biomechanics, coaching and leadership, sports nutrition,

sports medicine, training sciences.

AND

English course 6.

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching form

A range of teaching methods will be used in this course (e.g., lectures, seminars, practical sessions, individual case-studies, etc.).

The course will be delivered predominantly online and entirely in English. There will be one compulsory campus meeting (which will be combined with the campus meeting coupled to the parallel course, “Optimising Athletic Performance”). Online lectures, teacher- and student-led seminars, group work, case-studies and independent studies will feature throughout the course.

Examination form

1103: MODULE 1 - Online seminar series, 4.5 Credits
Grade scale: Two-grade scale
Active participation and demonstrable scientific competence in associated tasks.

2101: MODULE 2: Campus-based practicals, 2.5 Credits
Grade scale: Two-grade scale
Active participation and demonstrable practical competence in all training and rehabilitation seminars and activities on campus.

3103: MODULE 3 - Oral presentation and opposition, 2 Credits
Grade scale: Three-grade scale
Active engagement as a presenter and opponent when planning and defending independent project work, including a written opposition.

4102: MODULE 4: Independent project, 6 Credits
Grade scale: Three-grade scale
Independent project work within a chosen sport - a "case-report" that integrates the course content into an evidence-based strategy based on the theme "Return to sport".

Link to subject-specific grade criteria: www.miun.se/betygskriterier

The examiner has the right to offer alternative examination arrangements to students who have been granted the right to special support by Mid Sweden University’s disabilities adviser.

Grading system

Three-grade scale

Other information

Course certificate, credit transfer, appeal, etc. are regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance.