Sports Science MA, The Adolescent Athlete, 7.5 credits

Aim

High-performance sport often introduces young athletes to early specialisation. As such, balancing training, competition, recovery, injury risk and/or burnout is an on-going challenge. Different strategies for development (e.g., early vs. late specialisation, talent identification, coaching methods, etc.) are also discussed and applied in the literature and in practice. Therefore, the overall aim of this course is to provide an evidence base, including theoretical and practical frameworks, for working with high-performing adolescent athletes. In addition, the course aims to deepen the knowledge in areas closely related to high-performance in adolescent athletes, such as growth, training, sports medicine, psychological aspects, and coaching.

Course objectives

After undergoing the course, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge in theoretical and applied aspects of the adolescent athlete.
2. Apply knowledge, insights, and problem-solving skills in either an individual or a team sport.
3. Understand and integrate theoretical and practical knowledge in the context of research.
4. Communicate knowledge, motives, considerations and solutions clearly and unambiguously to specialists and/or non-specialists in an adolescent athlete setting.

Content

The developing athlete
Coaching and supporting young athletes
Training according to age
Specialisation vs generalisation
Drop out vs retention
Talent development
Training load in adolescent athletes
Sports injury, epidemiology and risk factors in adolescents
Prevention programs in adolescent sports
Case reports
Biomechanics of the growing spine
High performance training in adolescent athletes
Physiological testing: "special aspects"
Psychological aspects

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 within the course (e.g., lectures, seminars and individual work). The course will be delivered online, in English only and with mandatory seminars. Online lectures, teacher- and student-led seminars, group work, case studies and independent studies will be carried out throughout the course.

Examination form

1101: Module 1: Independent project, 4 Credits
Grade scale: Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with distinction (VG)
Module 1: Independent project work within a chosen sport that integrates the course content to a development plan for the adolescent athlete.

2101: Module 2: Active engagement in seminars, 1.5 Credits
Grade scale: Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Module 2: Active engagement in seminars including preparation by reading articles and group discussions during the seminars.

3101: Module 3: Oral presentation and opposition, 2 Credits
Grade scale: Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Module 3: Oral presentation and opposition - active engagement as a presenter and opponent when planning and defending independent project work.

Grading system

Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with distinction (VG)