View all Courses
Strength and Conditioning
Master of Science
Course Details
Course Code | GA_SSTCG_V09 |
---|---|
Level | 9 |
Duration | 18 months |
Credits | 90 |
Method of Delivery | Blended |
Campus Locations | Galway City – Dublin Road |
Mode of Delivery | Full Time |
Course Overview
Strength and conditioning is the application of scientific principles in order to understand and enhance sport and exercise performance and health and well-being.
The course is designed to provide students with an evidence-based understanding of the scientific method in the context of strength and conditioning. Key areas of study include physiology, coaching, psychology, nutrition and metabolism with a focus on the practical application of strength and conditioning.
In the past decade, there has been a marked growth in the career opportunities available for sport and exercise scientists, S&C coaches and individuals who are multi-disciplined in health, fitness and well-being.
In combination with a growing demand for S&C coaches, there is a demand for providing appropriately qualified and accredited individuals to undertake such roles.
The Master of Science in Strength & Conditioning, therefore, seeks to provide students with an opportunity to study at postgraduate level, to develop their knowledge of sport and exercise science and to increase their skills in applying such knowledge in a sport and exercise setting.
ATU Galway has recently been recognised as a National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) Education Recognised Program (ERP 2020-2023).
The ERP recognises and distinguishes schools with standardised, approved strength and conditioning or personal training curricula in undergraduate and graduate settings designed to prepare students for the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®) and NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certifications.
Course Details
Year 1
Semester | Module Details | Credits | Mandatory / Elective |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Strength & Conditioning Science and ApplicationThis module aims to provide students with an advanced knowledge and understanding of the fundamental processes that underpin the various biological systems when adapting to a stressor. These principles govern an individual response to a specific training stimulus. Students will develop an understanding of how these physiological principles apply to strength & conditioning practices. Learning Outcomes 1. Describe and differentiate thephysiological principles of strength and power development. 2. Develop an understanding of the physiological and mechanical adaptation of morphological changes associated with hypertrophy. 3. Discover and apply the theory and practise of stretch-shortening cycle activities. 4. Demonstrate an understanding oftheendocrinology and resistance training 5. Distinguish how growth and maturation influences physical and motor skill development. 6. Discussstrategies to enhance athletic recovery: theory to practice. |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Psychology – Coaching and MotivationThe student will be able to utilise applied and theoretic methods to optimise athlete learning and design an effective practice environment. In conjunction with this, the student will develop a comprehensive understanding of how attentional cueing (internal, external, neural cues) impacts athlete learning in relation to applied coaching techniques. The learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how group and team dynamics evolve, with respect to effective leadership or peer-led leadership groups within a squad environment. The learner will understand how Mosston spectrum of teaching can be implemented to create a meaningful and effective learning environment and how to identify alternative motivation techniques on an individual basis in a group environment. Learning Outcomes 1. Define how implicit and explicit learning enhances the training environment. 2. Critically discuss how the Mosstonspectrum of teaching can be implemented to create a meaningful and effective learning environment. 3. Demonstratehow reflective practice can lead to life-long learning. 4. Identify theimportance of differenttypesof feedback. |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Exercise Physiology, Nutrition and Human PerformanceThis modules aims to provide students with an opportunity to develop their understanding of sport and exercise physiology by applying various principles and knowledge of exercise physiology to field rather than laboratory settings. Students will gain experience in conducting accurate assessments of physical fitness and physiological response, both as a subject and as a practitioner, using equipment and skills that are used in a range of contemporary occupational settings.The module will also introduce nutrition and how it may apply to a strength and conditioning setting. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate safe working practice with human subjects in a field based setting. 2. Identify, analyse and evaluate the use of nutrition and physiology principles to support strength and conditioning. 3. Outline differences in nutritional requirements, physiological and perceptual response to exercise in a variety of challengingenvironmental conditions. 4. Interpret and apply the facts, principles, common terms and procedures appropriate to applied sport andexercise physiology 5. Apply appropriate usage of a variety of nutritional and exercise/sport-performance-related physical and physiological assessments. |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Applied Sport TechnologyAthlete monitoring has become an integral component of total athlete preparation. One of the challenges facing practitioners is the plethora of methods and technologies available for monitoring athletes. This module aims to provide students with an advanced knowledge and understanding of how to monitor an athletes training program in response to a training stimulus. Students will also gain an understanding of the 'why' of athlete monitoring. Develop the ability to integrate monitoring with coaching and performance. How to effectively communicate this information with the coaching team and, more importantly, with the athletes themselves. One of the fundamental reasons for monitoring athletes is to gauge their progress in response to a training program. Monitoring helps determine the impact of individual training sessions on athletes' physical performance states and training readiness. Learning Outcomes 1. Identify and evaluate the importance of monitoring athletes. 2. Quantify training stress. 3. Analyse and interpret thedata produced using athlete monitoring based technological systems. 4. Critically discusscurrent monitoring based practices and technologies. 5. Describe thephysiological effects of training stress. 6. Applyathlete based monitoring strategies for both individual and team based sports. |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Strength and Conditioning Theory and PracticeThis module aims to provide students with an advanced knowledge and understanding of the fundamental processes modalities of resistance training (triphasic, French contrast, strength, endurance, core strength, power), novel (and advanced) training methods (eccentric, isometric, bands, chains, velocity based training, complex training, occlusion training), theory of periodisation (manipulation of variables), application of periodisation in an applied setting, return to play protocols, speed and agility, plyometrics, Olympic lifting, specificity, metabolic conditioning for individual and team based athletes, application of PAP, recovery protocols, screening and monitoring. Learning Outcomes 1. Discuss and appraise thepracticalprinciples of strength, speed andpower development. 2. Describe the physiological and mechanical adaptationsassociated withadvanced resistance training techniques. 3. Apply the theory and practice of novel training techniquesand specific application to different settings. 4. Developpractical training strategies; manipulation of variablesfor different periodisation modalities. 5. Critically evaluate thepracticalapplications of developing rehab and prehab protocols in an individual and team environmentas part of return to play protocols and in the general population. |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Research MethodsResearch methodology is an integral part of any Masters course. The aim of this module is to ensure that students will be fully competent to devise, run and present research in a professional manner. This module will be part of a number of different Masters programmes in the Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition. The module will introduce students to both qualitative and quantitative approaches to research enquiry. Learning Outcomes 1. Systematically review and evaluate current literature, using appropriate tools and techniques. 2. Identify, analyse and evaluate appropriate research methods for research project proposal development. 3. Demonstrate the synthesis and integration of knowledge. 4. Draft a research proposal appropriate to their career stage and aligned with their research interests. 5. Create an appropriate data management structure. 6. Communicate research in various formats including written and oral presentation methods. |
05 | Mandatory |
Year 2
Semester | Module Details | Credits | Mandatory / Elective |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Research ProjectStudents will undertake an approved research project under the direction of an internal supervisor and, if appropriate, a supervisor from a relevant external organisation. Projects may be drawn from any discipline within the course of from an area of expertise of the supervisors. Design of the project should be produced by the learner with the advice of the supervisors. Learning Outcomes 1. Identify and choose a research project topic and plan the delivery of that research project. 2. Select and synthesise information available in scientific literature (and in some cases other literature) in order to establish the need for, 3. Develop creative ways of solving new research problems. 4. Collect and analyse data qualitatively and quantitatively, including an assessment of the statistical validity of the research results. 5. Manage resources allocated to completing a scientific research project. 6. Communicate research results in written and oral forms, demonstrating critical analysis, synthesis and organisation of knowledge, and |
60 | Mandatory |
Recommended Study Hours per week
Examination and Assessment
On-Campus Attendance Requirement
Download a prospectus
Entry Requirements
Students must have a minimum of a 2.2 in an honour’s degree in any science or related health-discipline. Students with Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) may also be considered for entry, however, they may be required to complete prerequisite assessments prior to acceptance.
Fees
Total Fees EU: €6300
Total Fees Non-EU: €14000
Subject to approval by ATU Governing Body (February 2025).
Further information on feesFurther Information
Who Should Apply?
This programme is suitable for those seeking to develop their knowledge of sport and exercise science and to increase their skills in applying such knowledge in a sport and exercise setting.
In the past decade, there has been a marked growth in the career opportunities available for sport and exercise scientists, S&C coaches and individuals who are multi-disciplined in health, fitness and well-being.
Contact Information
Damien Costello
Head of Department
T: +353 (0)91 742893
Dr Ed Daly
Programme Coordinator
T: +353 (0)91 742397