Sport & Exercise Science
Sport and exercise science applies the methods and knowledge of biology, physiology, psychology and biomechanics to understanding human physical performance and the role of exercise in health. It is a discipline that bridges the scientific study of the body with the applied world of sport, physical activity and health promotion, and one whose findings are used by coaches, athletes, healthcare professionals and public health policymakers alike.
The University of Chichester offers this four-year full-time programme in a university with a strong and well-established tradition in sport and exercise science. The programme covers exercise physiology, including how the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems respond and adapt to physical training; biomechanics, examining how forces act on the body during movement and how technique can be optimised; and sport and exercise psychology, exploring motivation, performance anxiety, skill acquisition and the mental dimensions of physical performance. You will also develop research skills, learning to design investigations, collect and analyse data, and interpret and communicate findings.
Laboratory and applied practical work is central to the degree, and you will have access to facilities for physiological testing, biomechanical analysis and performance assessment.
The discipline develops careful observational and experimental thinking, the ability to interpret physiological and psychological data, and the practical competencies to work in sport science support roles. It also develops an understanding of how scientific knowledge translates into applied recommendations for athletes and coaches.
Graduates work as sport scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, performance analysts, exercise physiologists, personal trainers, fitness consultants, sport development officers and health promotion practitioners. Many also progress to postgraduate study in sport science, coaching, physiotherapy, physical education or related health and exercise fields.