Class Health and Physical Fitness

It is a CU focused on the overall approach and integrating the primary role of the coach in promoting athletes' health and performance. Its aim is to equip future professionals with the essential knowledge and skills to act as coaches in high-level competitions. This course is of key importance within the study cycle because it bridges the gap between theory and practical application. It combines knowledge to 1) Understand Training Load, 2) Manage Athletic Performance, and 3) Master Data Analysis. In essence, this course prepares the student not only as a coach but also as a performance specialist, capable of applying science to optimise athletic potential and support long-term health.

Not applicable

Risks and benefits associated with sports practice. Sports scientist and sports performance. Training load model. Fatigue and recovery from exertion processes. Periodization for individual and team sports - role of the sports scientist. Periodization for individual and team sports - role of the sports scientist. Athlete profiles and benchmarking. Collection of athlete-related data - KPIs, technological implementations and data hygiene. External and internal data collection Data analysis and reporting. Recovery and sleep. Training in different environments.

In the UC, expository and experiential learning methods will be employed. These will be implemented through reflection sessions and analysis of data and projects related to issues pertinent to future professional intervention. Under the continuous assessment regime, there will be a written exam (50% of the final grade, to be taken at the end of the semester), a literature review (40%), and a multiple-choice mini-test conducted at the end of each class (10%). Grades below 9.5 are deemed insufficient, and a supplementary recovery test will be required if the average of the partial grades is equal to or exceeds 9.5 points. This recovery test will be oral and held at the end of the semester. The examination will comprise a written, practical, and oral component. Attendance must reach at least 70% of the total classes.

French, D. N., Ronda L. T. (2022). NSCA Essentials of Sport Science. Champaign: Human Kinetics. ACSM (2025). Guidelines for exercise testing and prescription (12th Edition). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.