SE763-7-SP-CO:
Youth Athletic Development

The details
2023/24
Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
19 October 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

MSC C60712 Sport Coaching Practice,
MSC C60724 Sport Coaching Practice

Module description

Due to the variable timing and tempo of biological maturation in children and adolescents, coaches are faced with challenges that are different to those encountered when training adults. The training methods used for enhancing physical performance in youth require a highly precise approach which must account for an individual's training age, rate of growth, resistance to injury and tolerance of workloads.

To negotiate this complex combination of factors, the youth coach must be able to determine biological maturation and to select fitness tests and training methods that are appropriate to a given stage of physical development. This module will inform learners on how best to physically evaluate the youth athlete and how to construct age-appropriate training programmes that enhance performance and minimise injury risk. In doing so, the learner will become well-acquainted with the techniques necessary to operate within physical education, clinical, sport and community environments.

Module aims

To educate learners on contemporary approaches to the development of strength, speed, muscle power, agility, balance, coordination and endurance in children and adolescents.

To outline the non-linear effects of growth and maturation on adaptations to various different forms of exercise in youth.

To determine the most effective fitness tests and evaluation methods in youth of varying biological maturity levels

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to:

1. Critique models of youth athlete development and their relative efficacy in underpinning the optimal environment for the physical and psychological growth.
2. Understand the non-linear and highly variable trajectories of biological maturation in childhood and adolescence and evaluate the resultant effect on adaptations to programmes of long-term athletic development.
3. Design and apply appropriate youth athletic programmes with respect to the dynamic nature of physical and psychological development during childhood and adolescence.
4. Critically evaluate contemporary youth athletic development literature and learn how to apply it in a several different settings such as schools and clubs.

Module information

Indicative Content
1) Biological development of the youth athlete
2) Contemporary training methods for youth
3) The influence of biological maturation on adaptations to training
4) The impact of non-linear biological development on the youth athlete's career trajectory
5) Strengths and limitations of contemporary models of youth athletic development
6) Implementation of models of youth athletic development
7) Exercise programming considerations for the youth athlete
8) Practical coaching implementation in youth athletic development

Learning and teaching methods

Formal lectures. Practical sessions. Four week period of work-based learning

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non - essential items, please refer to the module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   3000 Word Report    50% 
Practical   Presentation    50% 

Additional coursework information

Formative assessment A mock exam question session, focusing on common scenarios experienced in a youth athletic development environment, will be provided.

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Jason Moran, email: jmorana@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Jason Moran
SRES School Office (sres; non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk)

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
Yes

External examiner

Prof Paul Potrac
Northumbria University
Professor
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 12 hours, 12 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information

Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.

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