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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Medicine in Sport
Module Code SS312 (ITS) / HEA1048 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Health & Human Performance
Module Co-ordinatorAoife Burke
Module TeachersEnda Whyte, James O'Donovan
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Repeat examination
Assignment Submission before the Progression Board in case of extenuating circumstances
Description

This module aims to introduce students to the areas of the medical management of athletes, pharmaceuticals and doping practices. This module will discuss common chronic and acute illnesses in athletes and their general prevention, management and onward referral pathways. Students will be able to differentiate between musculoskeletal and systemic pain. Students will be introduced to the prevention, signs, symptoms and treatments of patients suffering from adverse reactions to environmental conditions. This module will also introduce students to pharmacology, including the use of common medications and doping practices, as well as the rules and regulations regarding their use.

Learning Outcomes

1. List and describe common chronic and acute (both mental and physical) illnesses in athletes, their prevention and management, including onward referral pathways.
2. Differentiate between systemic and musculoskeletal pain.
3. Identify the signs, symptoms and management of adverse reactions to environmental conditions.
4. Understand the concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and be able to describe common routes of drug intake
5. Describe indications, contraindications, precautions, adverse reactions and regulations for common medications, as well as understanding the abuse of drugs and use of doping.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24Lecture
Group work28Group work on presentation.
Independent Study73Independent study
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Common chronic illnesses in athletes and their prevention and management
Including arthritis, epilepsy.

Differentiating between systematic and musculoskeletal pain
Including how to identify pathologies masquerading as MSK pain, how to refer and the referral pathway.

Communicable diseases, their prevention (including vaccinations), recognition and management
Including understanding the high risk environment environment for communicable diseases faced by athletes and the role of the Athletic Therapist in managing and minimising risk.

Adverse reactions to environmental conditions
Including lightning, heat illness, altitude illness

Pharmacology and the athlete
Including the rules and regulations, therapeutic exemptions, methods of intake and use of supplements

Doping practices and drug abuse
Including drug testing protocols and indications of misuse of drugs

The basic signs and symptoms of mental disorders.
Including sociocultural factors, and personal values and beliefs

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Group presentationGroup presentation about medical conditions, their recognition, diagnosis, management and referral pathway.40%Week 6
Written ExamWritten test examining the course content.60%Week 12
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • William Prentice, Daniel Arnheim,: 0, Arnheim's Principles of Athletic Training, 9780073523736
  • James M. Ritter,Rod J. Flower,Graeme Henderson,Yoon Kong Loke,David MacEwan,Humphrey P. Rang: 2019, Rang and Dale's Pharmacology, Chapter 2, Elsevier, 9780702074486
  • Clare Stephenson: 0, The Complementary Therapist's Guide to Red Flags and Referrals, Churchill Livingstone, 9780702047664
Other Resources

None
This will also be restored to a semester 1 module.

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