Physical Activity, Exercise and Health Promotion

Program Overview

The Physical Activity, Exercise, and Health Promotion program at Leeds Trinity University equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to work in the health and exercise sector. The program combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, focusing on the science behind physical activity, social factors impacting health, and health promotion strategies. Graduates can pursue careers as exercise referral specialists, health promotion officers, personal trainers, and more. The program also provides a strong foundation for further postgraduate study in related fields.

Program Outline

Program Information Extraction from Leeds Trinity University: Physical Activity, Exercise and Health Promotion (BSc Hons)

Degree Overview:

Program Objectives:

• Equip graduates with the necessary skills and experience for careers in the exercise and health sector as health and exercise professionals.
• Prepare students to work in public health and health promotion, focusing on promoting active lifestyles.
• Develop graduates' knowledge of exercise science, social science, health promotion, anatomy, and their impact on health and well-being.
• Enhance graduates' skills in designing and implementing evidence-based interventions for individuals and communities in health and exercise settings.
• Offer a strong applied focus, providing opportunities to gain professional qualifications in personal training and gym instruction during studies.

Course Overview:

The program offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, focusing on the science behind physical activity, the social factors impacting health, and the application of health promotion strategies. Students gain expertise in designing and implementing exercise interventions for various clinical groups and promoting active healthy living within communities.

Outline:

Year 1 Modules (5 Core Modules):

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology: Covers musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine systems, energy metabolism, and links theory with practical work. Introduction to Nutrition: Explores macronutrients, micronutrients, dietary recommendations, energy balance, and dietary needs of different individuals. Psychological Perspectives on Health and Wellbeing: Examines psychological factors influencing health and well-being, such as lifestyle, personality, mental health, and risk-taking. Foundations of Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing: Explores physical activity from the perspective of science and social factors impacting health. Covers determinants of physical activity, measurement, lifestyle diseases, health interventions, inequalities in health, and evaluation. Professional Skills in Sport, Exercise and Health: Explores roles and responsibilities in the sector, job and opportunity types, interdisciplinary team working, empathy and compassion in care delivery. Includes potential work placement or employer challenge completion.

Year 2 Modules (5 Core Modules):

Public Health Promotion and Interventions: Covers public health promotion, strategies for local, national, and international health improvement. Explores designing, implementing, and evaluating public health interventions for physical, mental, and social health, including the use of social media, digital marketing, and influencers in health promotion, health inequalities across populations, and facilitating behavior change. Nutrition and Exercise Prescription: Examines the relationship between nutrition, exercise, and health. Explores nutrient metabolism, energy release, body composition, macronutrient, and micronutrient roles in exercise, dietary planning for individuals, athletes, and different cultural and clinical contexts. Applying Professional Skills in Sport, Exercise and Health: Involves a professional placement, either block or spread across the academic year based on preference and degree requirements. Develops students' professional skills in the context of the degree content, including reflective practice, communication skills, interdisciplinary working, career guidance placement searching, CV writing. Research Methods and Enquiry: Develops research skills and understanding through building and interpreting research evidence in sport, exercise, and related areas. Covers research processes, ethical requirements, data synthesis, project design, data analysis and interpretation, research appraisal. Applied Physical Activity and Health: Examines the link between health, physical activity, and exercise, focusing on clinical conditions. Covers client assessment for needs analysis and designing and delivering physical activity and exercise interventions. Considers long-term behavior change principles for healthy adults and those with cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes mellitus.

Year 3 Modules (4 Core Modules):

Health Promotion across the Lifecourse: Critically explores design, implementation, and evaluation of community health promotion and policies aimed at behavior change (physical activity or healthy eating). Physical Activity and Exercise Prescription in Health and Disease: Examines the use of exercise as treatment for various medical conditions. Independent Project: Integrates learning with an independent project aligned with student interests and course content. Includes tutorial support, formative assessments, culminating in a negotiated format presentation assessment. Professional Learning Through Work: Involves a work-based or professional development project within a work setting, focusing on a negotiated project meeting employer and university needs, developing learning outcomes and assessment methods to apply theoretical and practical work-based development in the chosen context.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods tailored to learning outcomes, allowing demonstration and application of the acquired knowledge and skills. These include:

• Written assignments (essays, reports, critical analyses)
• Presentations and group discussions
• Portfolios showcasing work-based learning and project outcomes
• Practical demonstrations of skills
• Examinations
• Data analysis and interpretation tasks
The specific assessment methods for each module will be communicated at the beginning of the program and during individual module sessions.

Teaching:

The program offers a blend of teaching approaches, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars and tutorials
• Workshops
• Practical sessions
• Group projects
• Individual project guidance
• Guest lectures from industry professionals
• Work placements with real-world learning experiences
The program utilizes a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face teaching on campus with additional online resources and learning activities. This approach ensures active engagement in learning, critical thinking development, and reflection to identify strengths and weaknesses while utilizing extensive learning support services.

Careers:

Graduates of this program can find fulfillment in a variety of career paths within the growing health and exercise sector, including:

• Exercise referral specialists: Supporting healthcare professionals in referring patients for exercise interventions.
• Health promotion officers: Developing and delivering health education and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors in various communities.
• Physical activity development officers: Working in local authorities or public health organizations to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior.
• Health improvement coordinators: Coordinating health improvement programs in communities, organizations, or workplaces.
• Health ambassadors: Educating and advocating for healthy choices in various settings, such as schools or workplaces.
• Personal trainers and gym instructors: Working with individuals to design and implement personalized fitness and exercise programs.
• Public health nutritionists or researchers: Working in universities or public health bodies, researching the effects of nutrition and lifestyle factors on health.
The program also provides a strong foundation for further postgraduate study in related fields such as public health, sports medicine, or athletic training.

Other:

Learning and Teaching Strategy:

The program emphasizes personalized support, expert lectures, strong employer connections, an international outlook, and digital literacy skills to prepare students for the workplace and further studies.

Professional Work Placement:

The program includes embedded professional work placements in the standard undergraduate degree, offering opportunities to gain degree-relevant work experience, build knowledge of career sectors, secure references and industry contacts, and shape career decisions.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

UK Home Students: Tuition fees cost £9,250 a year for this course in 2024/2025. Part-time tuition fees will be prorated accordingly to the number of credits you're studying. Depending on government policy, tuition fees may change in future years. Tuition fees for 2025/26 entry will be set in summer 2024. Living costs, e.g. accommodation, travel, food, will also need to be taken into consideration. Leeds Trinity offers a range of bursaries and scholarships to help support students while you study. International Students, including EU Students: Visit our webpage for international students. Part-time study is not available for international students on a Student Route Visa. Additional costs We advise students that there may be additional course costs in addition to annual tuition fees: Recommended and required reading lists will be provided at the start of your course. All the books and e-books are available from our Library to borrow but you may choose to purchase your own. On some courses there may be additional costs, such as field trips, equipment, accreditations, that may be part-funded by the University. More details will be provided at the start of the course. You'll need to include placement/s travel and associated costs too, however the University will contribute a standard amount towards your total expenditure. The University provides students with a £6 printing credit each academic year which can be topped up either on campus or online.