Module: Clinical Experience 4: Integrating ATT with Strength & Conditioning

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Clinical Experience 4: Integrating ATT with Strength & Conditioning
Module Code	TRE1007 (ITS: SS431)
Faculty	Health & Human Performance	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	20

Description

This module aims to provide the student with a 3-4 month immersive clinical and performance experience placement in Ireland or abroad. The host institutions/centres will be identified for the students. The aims of the immersive placement are 1. To gain a minimum of 20 hours per week ‘hands on’ clinical experience in leading assessments and treatments of injuries in a supervised environment, 2. To become proficient in developing and implementing strength and conditioning programmes to service providers (e.g. athletes, patients, etc.) at the host institute/centre, 3. To attend available/suitable academic modules and courses or workshops in the host institution/centre, 4. To experience the integration of Athletic Therapy (or other clinical sports medicine) and Strength and Conditioning professions at work in a new and non-DCU environment.

Learning Outcomes

1. Reflect and evaluate on performance over the course of a 3-4 month full-time immersive experience in a new sports medicine practice environment.
2. Demonstrate proficient clinical skills and competence in leading the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of an injured athlete/patient.
3. Demonstrate an extensive command of the development, implementation and delivery of strength and conditioning programmes for various service providers at the host institute/centre.
4. Work effectively in a professional manner as part of a dynamic sports medicine team which integrates Athletic Therapy with Strength and Conditioning.
5. Present, critique and defend individual case studies on the selected diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and/or strength and conditioning programme.
6. Advance critical appraisal of comprehensive clinical cases throughout the placement, demonstrating a strong critique of the efficacy of exercise prescription and individualized strength and conditioning programme development.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Clinical placement	320	No Description
Independent Study	180	No Description
Total Workload: 500

Section Breakdown
CRN	11604	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	PASS/FAIL	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Martin Sweeney	Module Teacher	Aoife Burke

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Participation	Students submit a critique and reflection of their performance, and an update of their hours completed every two weeks during the course of the immersive experience placement. The critique should address both clinical competence in an injury assessment and their performance in the development and implementation of effective strength and conditioning or rehabilitation programmes. The students must also present a weekly case study to their supervisor and submit a comprehensive write up of a comprehensive clinical case on a monthly basis to the module coordinator. Specific detail should be drawn to the evidence-based rationale for various exercise prescriptions and strength and conditioning pro	100%	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

Clinical Reasoning
Perform and lead a high standard of subjective and objective assessments on various injuries, drawing on advanced clinical reasoning skills to formulate a sound clinical diagnosis and problem list. Present the injury cases on a weekly basis to the respective supervisor in a clear and concise manner, defending the choice of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation plan.

Specialized Programme Implementation
Develop, implement and deliver an evidence-based rehabilitation programme or strength and conditioning programme that is appropriate and specialized for the injured subject or service provider.

Multi-Disciplinary Team Engagement
Actively participate and engage in a dynamic multi-disciplinary sports medicine team, advancing their responsibility with specific daily tasks and duties as directed by host institute/centre staff members.

Self-evaluation
Reflect and critically evaluate performance on various components of the immersive experience placement (e.g. note taking, clinical reasoning, interaction with patient, punctuality, initiative).

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Peter Brukner and Karim Khan: 2018, Clinical sports medicine, 4th Ed, McGraw Hill, 978-007099813
Chad Starkey, Jeffrey L. Ryan: 2009, Examination of Orthopedic and Athletic Injuries, 3rd Ed, F.A. Davis Company, 978-080361720
Konin, Jeff: 2018, Management Strategies in Athletic Training, 5th Ed, Human Kinetics, 9781492536185
Haff, & Triplett, N. T.: 2016, Essentials of strength training and conditioning, 4th Ed, Human Kinetics, 978-149250162
Tumminello, Nick: 2016, Building Muscle and Performance, Human Kinetics, 9781492512707

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None