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Applied Sports Science with Strength and Conditioning – Higher Cert

  • Campus: Thurles

  • years: 2


Course Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Sports Science with Strength and Conditioning offers an in-depth education on this growing area of interest, both in Ireland and internationally. The Strength and Conditioning Coach is becoming a central and key figure in preparing and advancing the fitness and performance status of the individual athlete and team both in professional sport and also in amateur and recreational sport.

The Thurles campus houses an elite, state-of-the-art sports strength and conditioning facility – the ‘SportsLab’. Among its facilities are a 45m, six lane sprint track especially designed to improve speed; a Paralympic area; cable machines; a range of sport technology systems; including micro electro mechanical systems and GPS systems; Olympic lifting platforms; functional screening kits; weights and a full range of exercise machines. The facility greatly enhances students’ practical learning on the programme.

This programme is suited to students who wish to become members of sports training professional bodies and pursue careers as top sports strength and conditioning coaches or become entrepreneurs in the growing fitness industry.

National Strength & Conditioning Association

This course is recognised the the National Strength & Conditioning Association.

Contact Details

Dr. Damien Young

Email: Damien.Young@tus.ie

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

A minimum of 5 O6/H7 grades in Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish.

Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Course Modules

  • Coaching Skills & Athlete Preparation

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to introduce students to the concepts of coaching and the principles of training and how this knowledge can be utilised practically to develop athletes and/or general population.

  • Communication Skills

    Credits: 5

    This module will develop the learners personal and interpersonal communication skills as a transferable skill to the sports and fitness industries. It will equip the learner with the practical know-how to communicate effectively for sporting and academic pursuits using multiple media and communication platforms both verbally, written, non-verbal and electronically. This module will introduce independent and reflective learning skills.

  • Foundations of Human Anatomy

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is for the student to gain a foundational knowledge of the human anatomical structures and systems.

  • Foundations of Nutrition

    Credits: 5

    This module introduces the fundamental aspects of human nutrition. The sources, structure, functions and metabolism of macro nutrients, together with basic concepts of energy balance will be explored. The sources and functions of vitamins and minerals together with recommended intakes will also be introduced, along with the role of hydration.

  • Physical Activity & Movement Development

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is for the learner to understand the development of movement patterns through the life cycle and how these principles inform athletic development and planning.

  • Principles Of Resistance Training

    Credits: 5

    To provide an insightful introduction to the principles surrounding resistance training as related to the planning, development and implementation of strength and conditioning programmes for the athlete population.

  • Foundations In Biomechanics

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is for the student to gain a foundational knowledge of the human biomechanics and responses as they relate to exercise and activity. The student will understand basic principles of human biomechanics as they apply to kinetic and kinematic movement.

  • Fundamental Movement Skills

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is for the learner to understand the principles and practices of fundamental movement skills and how these skills relate to athletic development.

  • Fundamentals Of Exercise Physiology

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to provide students with a basic understanding of human physiology and physiological responses to exercise.

  • Philosophy & Ethics of Practice

    Credits: 5

    To acquire the knowledge, skills and competence to establish his or her own personal philosophy and ethical framework within his or her role as a performance technologist.

  • Resistance Training Methods

    Credits: 5

    To enhance knowledge and competency of science and application of resistance training for the athlete population.

  • S&C Across the Lifecycle

    Credits: 5

    To examine the physiology of the ageing process and the importance of a maintenance of strength and conditioning and physical activity processes across the lifecycle through to the designing of appropriate exercise programmes.

  • Clinical Biomechanics

    Credits: 5

    To develop a biomechanical knowledge within clinical populations through biomechanical and movement intervention strategies related to the field of strength and conditioning.

  • Psychology For Sport

    Credits: 5

    To examine the psychological skills and knowledge to enhance sporting performance.

  • Speed & Agility For Sport

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is for students to understand the key physical elements required for speed & agility for sport, Students will gain an understanding of the science and practise behind the methods of improving multidirectional speed and agility and its benefits towards sporting performance and will also gain an understanding of the mechanics behind speed.

  • Sport Nutrition

    Credits: 5

    This module will introduce the relationship between nutrition and exercise and sports performance. The effect of nutritional strategies on strength, power, speed and endurance performance will be discussed and assessed.

  • Sports Profiling & Needs Analysis

    Credits: 5

    Performance profiling is a technique that enables athletes to identify the characteristics required for success in their sport. Athletes can use this knowledge in particular to develop training regimens for the areas where they need to improve. Athletes can also use the performance profile in collaboration with their coaching staff to assist them perform better.

  • Weightlifting Techniques And Practices

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is for students to understand the science behind weightlifting for strength, power and conditioning. To develop a basic level of competency and coaching in the classic lifts, barbell weight training and its accessory movements. The student will be able to devise and implement a training plan. The student will be able to understand the coaching concepts behind powerlifting and the implementation of those lifts into programming.

  • Endurance Development For Sport

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is for students to understand the key physical elements required for aerobic development and energy system conditioning. Students will be able to plan and deliver aerobic and endurance development programmes for both teams and individuals.

  • Injury Management & Return to Play

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to identify injuries, injury risks, implement prevention strategies and to perform return to play programmes.

  • Performance Measurement & Testing

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is for students to gain a thorough understanding and competencies in sports performance testing of athletes and how such methods are used to measure performance within Strength and Conditioning

  • Special Populations Interventions

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to provide students with a multi-disciplinary approach to dealing with the various needs of special population groups and how it applies to physical activity, exercise and sports participation. Students will develop the skills necessary to adapt various exercise programmes and sports to meet the needs of specific special population groups.

  • Sport Statistics

    Credits: 5

    Statistics for sport provides the student with an understanding of statistical concepts and computational skills, their practical application in relevant sporting situations, and develops a systematic approach to dealing with statistical data.

  • Training for Power & Force

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is for students to understand the force velocity science behind power development and its benefits to sporting performance. Students will gain an understanding of how strength and power training in the weight room will enhance sporting performance and the methods of increasing power. Students will also gain coaching skills in the area of Olympic lifts and how the Olympic lifts aid the development of power and force production.

What can you do after this programme?

On completion of the programme, graduates are expected to gain employment in sports organisations, sports’ national governing bodies, sporting clubs and colleges, the health and fitness industry, community activity programmes and private enterprise.

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible for Level 7 in Applied Sports Science with Strength and Conditioning – BSc