Module: Strength & Conditioning 3

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Strength & Conditioning 3
Module Code	SPO1044 (ITS: SS433)
Faculty	Health & Human Performance	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module is designed to advance students’ systematic understanding of the principles of fitness assessment with a view to informing the prescription of an exercise programme within the area of strength and conditioning. Students will develop the theoretical knowledge and practical competencies to evaluate current levels of fitness in health and performance-related settings, inclusive of body composition, cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength and power. A key focus of the module will be the development of complex and advanced skills for the assessment of a wide variety of clients and health contexts across the population, ranging from athletes to the elderly, in both individual and group settings. This will involve the development of the necessary skills for critical awareness of necessary adaptations to fitness assessment based on the needs of the individual and/or group. Taking an applied approach, students will be required to coordinate, conduct, document and interpret a variety of health and performance-related assessments.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the role of exercise and training and appraise its role in health and performance.
2. Lead in the completion of needs analysis and pre-participation screening and demonstrate critical awareness of the outcomes in sport and health-related fitness assessment in a range of environments
3. Lead in the implementation of fitness assessment techniques across varying populations, inclusive of novel and emerging techniques in health and exercise.
4. Demonstrate advanced communication skills in fitness assessment environments by building rapport, explaining the task and providing feedback.
5. Demonstrate the ability to take significant responsibility in the planning and conduction of fitness test assessment
6. Prepare a summary report and critique of a fitness test battery in a health and performance setting specific to a client of interest.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	15	face to face lecture with online directed learning
Laboratory	25	Practical labs
Tutorial	15	refinement of assessment techniques
Assignment Completion	25	Review of literature and formation of assignment
Independent Study	45	review of theoretical and practical content supplemented with completion of directed and self directed learning
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21071	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	David Nolan	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Prepare a critical reflection document on the value of needs analysis and pre-participation screening in fitness testing	30%	n/a
Practical/skills evaluation	Compile, interpret and present a report of data collected during fitness testing assessment in applied practical classes, including a variety of methods and techniques appropriate for the population under examination	35%	n/a
Reflective journal	Prepare a case study report of the development, design, critical appraisal and rationale for a fitness testing battery designed to address the needs of a specific client of interest	35%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Components of fitness
Including aerobic, strength and flexibility

Physical fitness, health-related exercise and sports-specific exercise
Aspects of fitness for health and for performance

Factors affecting and influencing physical fitness
Age, illness, previous injury

Assessment of the health status of the individual
including measurement of blood pressure, resting heart rate, height,

Safe prescription of exercise
Considerations of the health status of the individual, including the appropriate mode, frequency and duration

Assessment of fitness
Assessment of individual fitness levels,

Group fitness assessment,

Assessment of components of fitness, including body composition,

cardiovascular fitness, strength and power and sports-related fitness, Coordination of a fitness assessment, including pre and emergency action planning

Pre-participation screening and risk assessment
Considerations for performance and health

Warm up and cool down in fitness assessment
The importance of warm up and cool down

Warm up and cool down techniques

Effective communication throughout fitness assessment
Techniques to encourage understanding and adherence

Indicative Reading List

Books:

American College of Sports Medicine,LIGUORI: 0, Acsm Guideline Exercise Test Pres 11, 9781975150198

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None