Masters programme in Sports Performance and Athlete Health (two year), 120 credits

Aim

The programme aims to provide aspiring sports scientists, researchers, coaches and medical personnel (e.g., doctors, physiotherapists and naprapaths) with an opportunity to further their education in applied sports performance and athlete health. The programme is inter-disciplinary and takes a holistic approach to athlete development, focusing on performance optimisation while supporting athlete health and longevity. During the programme we aim to provide students with the tools to develop their practical skills and theoretical knowledge, keeping evidence-informed practice at the forefront of the education. Students will be supported in developing their ability to critically appraise the research literature and work with applied research questions across sports science and medicine. Practical links to real-world sporting environments are a key focus throughout the programme.

Programme objectives

After completion of the programme students will be able to theorise and practically apply their knowledge in the field of sports science and sports medicine.

In addition to the goals specified in the Higher Education Act § 9 and the Higher Education Ordinance appendix 2, the Master programme in Sports Performance and Athlete Health has the following local learning objectives:

Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall:
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in sports science and sports medicine, including both an overview of the field and specialised knowledge in certain areas.
• demonstrate a considerable degree of specialised theoretical and methodological knowledge and practical/applied understanding in a certain area of sports science and medicine

Competence and skills
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall:
• demonstrate the ability to translate research theory and evidence into practice within applied sports situations
• demonstrate the ability to analyse and interpret data generated in sports performance settings
• demonstrate the ability to identify research questions and problems from their experiences in applied sport
• demonstrate the ability to understand and apply robust research methods
• contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate novel research findings

Judgement and approach
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall:
• demonstrate the ability to reflect upon the merits and pitfalls of sports performance and medicine cultures and environments across sports and disciplines, and from national and international perspectives
• demonstrate their process in developing a philosophy or approach to support high performance

Content

The following courses are included in the programme:

Sports Science MA, Optimising athletic performance, 15 credits
Sports Science MA, Return to play and injury management, 15 credits
Sports Science MA, Illness and health issues in performance sport, 7,5 credits
Sports Science MA, The adolescent athlete, 7,5 credits
Sports Science MA, Independent project, 15 credits
Sports Science MA, Performance and data analysis, 7,5 credits
Sports Science MA, Coaching, leadership and sports organisation, 7,5 credits
Sports Science MA, Research methods and statistics, 15 credits
Sports Science MA, Master degree project, 30 credits

During the study period, courses and course modules, content, distribution of points and position in time may undergo some changes.

The programme is delivered as a collaboration between the Department of Health Sciences at Mid Sweden University, the Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, and Sophiahemmet University.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor degree with at least 180 credits, including a degree project of at least 15 credits, in Sports Science, Sports Medicine or Physiotherapy.

OR

A Bachelor degree consisting of at least 180 credits, including a degree project of at least 15 credits, and a minimum of 60 credits in one or more of the following subjects: clinical epidemiology, exercise physiology, testing methods in sports science, kinesiology, biomechanics, coaching and leadership, sports nutrition, sports medicine, training sciences.

AND

English course 6.

Description of programme

The programme addresses integrative physiology, medicine, nutrition, biomechanics, psychology, training planning, strength and conditioning, coaching and performance analysis, while maintaining a holistic and integrative view of performance support and athlete development.

The programme covers athlete development and health maintenance in applied sport and aims to provide students with the tools to contribute within high-performance sporting environments. Sports performance and medicine are approached from multidisciplinary and holistic perspectives. The programme gives students the opportunity to use and develop their theoretical knowledge and apply their practical skills to better handle complex situations in sport, including at advanced levels. The theoretical components will typically be delivered online, while compulsory on-campus meetings/seminars will enable the development of practical skills. In year 1, students undertake an applied project or case study that also provides the opportunity for a practical placement. In year 2, students will apply scientific theory and methods to complete an independent research project.

The programme is aimed at students who have a background in sports science or sports medicine. Links to performance sport are desirable and will be beneficial in some modules.

Upon completion of the programme students will be well prepared to assume responsibility for and independently drive performance development within sport. The programme culminates in an independent research project, and provides a good basis for postgraduate research studies.

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching and examination

The programme is taught in English and delivered predominantly online through distance studies. Study pace is full time, equating to around 40 hours per week of study. Students can expect to attend live online sessions during working hours on weekdays, as well as compulsory physical meetings on campus. Teaching and examination methods are specified in individual course plans.

Title of qualification

Degree of Master of Arts/Science (120 credits)

Masterexamen med huvudområdet idrottsvetenskap
translated into
Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Sports Science

Other information

The programme is taught in English.
Some tasks may involve handling human blood samples, and therefore we recommend that prospective students are vaccinated against Hepatitis B prior to enrollment in the programme.