Sport and Exercise Science
Sport and exercise science applies the methods and knowledge of three core scientific disciplines to understand how the body responds to physical activity and how that understanding can be put to work. Physiology examines the cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic systems and how they adapt to training. Biomechanics analyses the mechanics of human movement, examining technique, efficiency, and the forces acting on the body during sport and exercise.
Sport and exercise psychology investigates the mental factors, including motivation, concentration, anxiety, and confidence, that influence performance and participation.
At Anglia Ruskin University this three-year full-time programme is based at the Cambridge Centre for Sports and Exercise Sciences, which provides accredited exercise testing and human movement facilities. You will learn to work safely and ethically as a sport and exercise scientist, developing both theoretical understanding and hands-on practical skills. The programme explores all four key disciplines of sport and exercise science, including nutrition alongside physiology, psychology, and biomechanics, and you will gain experience working with athletes and members of the public in applied settings.
The practical emphasis of the programme is one of its strengths: the ability to conduct fitness tests, analyse movement, and apply scientific knowledge in real contexts is central to what employers in sport and exercise science look for in graduates.
Graduates move into careers in sport and exercise science, performance analysis, strength and conditioning, sport development, health promotion, exercise referral, and physical education. Many continue to postgraduate study in sport science, physiology, or clinical exercise science, or pursue professional accreditation with bodies such as the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. The combination of laboratory skills and applied experience developed on this programme is a strong platform for a career in the field.