Courses covered:

1. Biomechanics of Human Movement
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   Module 1: Biomechanics of Human Movement

   This module builds the scientifical and theoretical foundations of biomechanics principles applied to human locomotion and sports performance as well as advancing the practitioner’s understanding of movement behaviour through the lenses of quantitative and qualitative biomechanics. This means understanding the physics principle and neurological basis of human movement, its organization and behaviour, as well as the various theories of motor control and skill acquisition. Basic and advanced concepts in biomechanics will be blended with the science of movement in different sports. Fundamental skills such as running, sprinting, throwing and jumping will be deconstructed and taught from a biomechanical point of view. The neurophysiological and psychological aspects of movement and posture will be addressed as well. The goal is to equip the student with the theoretical understanding and advanced  practical competencies to evaluate micro and macro movements landmarks, promote movement efficiency and postural awareness, reduce injury occurrence, and optimize performance.
   Learning Outcomes
   At the end of this module students will be able to:
   1. Understand the principles governing movement and evaluate gait patterns using evidenced based criteria.
   2. Critically understand and evaluate the validity, reliability and technological considerations in presenting data and results in a meaningful format.
   3. Provide a rationale for gait and movement interventions based on critical reflection and analysis of derived data.

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2. Coaching & Monitoring Technology
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   Module 2: Coaching & Monitoring Technology

   This module considers the many and varied approaches to monitoring a performer’s lifestyle, workload, performance metrics and crucially the options from coaching and monitoring technologies that are used in doing so. Advanced movement and athletic programmes and individual exercise enthusiasts are now embracing, with varying degrees of success, technology based systems to track adaptations to competition, conditioning, training and recovery stimuli. The operational principles and the role of technology in this process, as well as key validatory procedures of a range of technologies, will be considered and critically assessed.
   This module will promote a principle led approach to monitoring and assessing such that the practitioner becomes more critical, effective, efficient, competent and confident in the use of and application of technology in monitoring his or her athletes/clients/performers.
   Learning Outcomes
   At the end of this module the student will be able to:
   1. Assess and critically evaluate the precision, reliability and effectiveness of a range of sport, exercise and lifestyle related technologies.
   2. Effectively apply a diverse range of sport and lifestyle technologies in an efficient and meaningful manner in performance monitoring.
   3. Demonstrate the ability to develop an athlete and programme monitoring system within a practical performance setting.

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3. Data Management and Research Methods
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   Module 3: Data Management and Research Methods

   A key skill of the advanced practitioner will be the ability to generate independent solutions to the unique challenges they face in their individual training environment, particularly in the modern era of technology and “big data”. Ultimately, they will require the ability to generate their own evidence-based practice that blends external data, their own findings and observations with the unique challenges and confines of their own training environment using evidence-based, and objective science. Subsequently, the capacity for independent investigation will be critical, allowing the generation of context specific solutions to key performance problems and scientific principles of research will be emphasised here. This module will extend the course aim of developing multidisciplinary, independent thinkers, enabling practitioners to generate true evidence-based practice that can be directly applied into their own coaching practices. The learner will also develop advanced understanding of Microsoft Excel for data management in the process.
   Learning Outcomes
   The student will be able to:
   1. Form compliant strategies in the gathering, storing and management of participant and activity related data.
   2. Present and interpret data in a meaningful format using current best practice.
   3. Prepare a research project/proposal based on sound fundamentals of applied research.

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4. Movement Analysis and Biomedical Aspects
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   Module 4: Movement Analysis and Biomedical Aspects

   This module advances the practitioner’s knowledge, understanding and skill competence in gathering meaningful data that assesses posture and movement quality. This means assessing for symmetry, balance and imbalance within specific patterns that are static, dynamic and sport or exercise-specific related. Using both observation skills and technology-based analysis such as video, 2-D and 3-D movement analysis technology, the practitioner will learn to apply such applications to assist and enhance observational analysis. Such skills will facilitate the practitioner to understand the factors associated with natural age-related reductions in performance and disease-related medical conditions. Injury is often an inevitable consequence of sport, exercise and movement involvement. The practitioner may or may not be involved in the acute treatment of injury, however, he or she will play a critical role in seeking to reduce the risk of injury onset. In addition, this module will enable students to identify injury risk factors, to design programs of exercise that reduce the risk of injury, and programs that better manage diseased conditions and that facilitate continued involvement in sport, physical movement and exercise.
   Learning Outcomes
   At the end of this module students will be able to:
   1. Assess and quantify quality of static posture and dynamic movement using evidenced based criteria
   2. Demonstrate competence in the application of technology for movement analysis
   3. Critically evaluate factors associated with injury incidence in sport and physical activity
   4. Devise strategies to reduce injury risk as part of a support team

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5. Reflective Practice & Professional Skills
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   Module 5: Reflective Practice

   This module explores the practice-based evidence of elite practitioners in their application of self-reflection as they seek to improve their professional skills within a sport and exercise context. We present several conversations where specialists, across various disciplines, provide their role related insights and experiences as they meet the many challenges within the working environment. They cover a wide range of topics that are pertinent and relevant for all practitioners to reflect on. Ultimately the aim of this module is to allow you to develop greater insight and understanding of your reflective practices so as to lead to a better understanding of oneself and others. 
   Learning Outcomes
   At the end of this module students will be able to:
   1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of professional practice issues in sports conditioning, analysis and performance and critically reflect upon one’s own professional skills to benefit future learning and practice.
   2. Identify ethical issues in the sport and use effective frameworks to develop overarching practice principles.
   3. Display the skills to work effectively with clients, groups and the interdisciplinary team.

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6. Applied Biomechanics and Sports Performance
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   Module 6: Applied Biomechanics and Sports Performance

   The knowledge and insight gained from this module will allow the practitioner to directly translate theory and evidence-based science into the daily work on the field. The student will be able to apply biomechanical concepts to the field of play by understanding how environment, behaviour, physiology, biochemistry and psychology influences biomechanical outputs thus movement efficiency.The module will provide with the necessary practical coaching abilities related to the biomechanics of movement patterns such as running, linear sprinting, multidirectional sprinting, jumping and landing as well as postural control and awareness. The student will also learn how each biomechanics pattern is related to performance in a large variety of individual and team sports. Furthermore, the learner will develop an in-depth understanding of the best practices for proper planning and integration of technical and physical factors.
   Learning Outcomes
   At the end of this module the student will be able to:
   1. Effectively apply biomechanics principles to daily coaching activities
   2. Critically evaluate the biomechanical demands of training and competition
   3. Design and integrate technical elements and physical development within a periodised plan

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7. Applied Project
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   Module 7: Applied Project

   The individual project will enable the practitioner to focus on a specific, self-directed research question and to generate an evidence-based solution to this challenge. The project will be selected from a number of industry specific options that best suit the practitioner’s current situation or future direction. The practitioner will be challenged with developing an evidence based, objective and robust project drawing from the skills developed throughout the previous modules.
   For individuals working within a performance organisation, and where the practitioner is sponsored by the organisation, the project will take the form of an agreed solutions-based project based on a challenge faced by the organisation. Here the project will be agreed between the practitioner, the College and the employer.
   Learning Outcomes
   At the end of the project the student will be able to:
   1. Demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of effective enquiry in the strategic development of a performance-based solution.
   2. Demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct an effective professional enquiry following a systematic approach to an identified problem.
   3. Effectively present the findings of the enquiry, along with key practical application for future practice.

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Program Duration

The program duration is 18-21 months. This includes:

• 6 Online Courses (each module is 12 weeks in duration)
• 2 separate on-site residential weeks, practical application, and lectures.
• Final Project (additional 3 months to complete)

Residentials

Much of the learning on the program will occur through a mix of online courses and experiential learning, however, a key part of the program will be the residentials. Whilst the content of each residential will be dependent upon the modules undertaken, the overarching objectives will be similar.

Our residentials are offered in the following locations:

Ireland: GAA National Games Development Centre, Dublin.

The objectives:

• To provide hands-on instruction and experience in the practical elements of the course content. Even though the course is focused mainly on an evidence-based practice approach, practical competency in the application of theory to practice and in the ‘art’ and ‘craft’ of coaching will be emphasised. Further, the competence in the use of and interpretation of data using a wide range of coaching technologies and the coaching process will be central to the face to face environment and thus the residential will ensure that practitioners receive high-class instruction in the key practical elements required for effective industry practice.
• To allow for practical assessments and presentation-based assessments to be carried out.
• To provide contextualisation and critical discussion of the topics covered in the online material. This will essentially be a flipped classroom approach to teaching. This medium will allow practitioners to share experiences and provide a highly interactive learning environment.