SE330-6-AU-CO:
Environments Shape Physical Activity: Translating Research into Practice

The details
2024/25
Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
09 August 2024

 

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

 

(none)

Key module for

BSC C680 Sport and Exercise Psychology,
BSC C681 Sport and Exercise Psychology (including Year Abroad),
BSC C682 Sport and Exercise Psychology (including Placement Year)

Module description

The principal role physical activity plays in contemporary society is increasingly acknowledged from social, environmental and public health perspectives. Drawing from several disciplines this module will consider topical issues relating to the effectiveness of physical activity interventions across the life course on a range of health and wellbeing outcomes.


It will explore how evidence-based physical activity initiatives and interventions in different environments and settings shape behaviour. It will review the value of school based physical activity interventions for children, how workplace settings can be used to facilitate activity and reduce sedentary behaviour, how exercise settings (e.g. indoor vs. green exercise) can be used as a vehicle to drive behavioural change in adults, through to thinking about how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped physical activity behaviours.
There is a growing demand for practitioners to critically evaluate the current evidence-base and gain an understanding of how this knowledge can be translated to inform their applied professional practice. The module will afford opportunities to engage with cutting-edge research and develop transferable communication skills in translating research findings into executive summaries that can be used and understood by a range of audiences (e.g. commissioners, stakeholders, policy makers, providers, service users and the lay person).


This module will be of particular interest to students pursuing a career in health promotion, public health, teaching, occupational health or the fitness and personal training industry.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To develop students’ ability to critically appraise and evaluate evidence-based physical activity intervention research.

  • To enhance students’ knowledge and critical awareness of how research evidence can inform applied professional practice.

  • To develop skills required to analyse and evaluate physical activity interventions across the life course that will enhance health and wellbeing.

  • To foster the development of independent learners with transferable intellectual and study skills.


Module learning outcomes

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



  1. Demonstrate understanding of the principles of evidence-based practice.

  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the development and evaluation of interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour across the life course.

  3. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based physical activity interventions and how they can be used to inform professional practice.

  4. Identify, synthesise and critically evaluate a range of evidence types of physical activity and health related information including research papers, government publications and assessments.

  5. Demonstrate competence in data analysis, presentation and interpretation to translate research findings into an executive summary to inform the wider public health agenda.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • Lectures/ Seminars/Workshops/Tutorials: 10 x 2 hr including formal and informal feedback sessions on draft material and approach to data analysis.
  • Student managed learning (130 hrs): This will include reading and evaluating prescribed articles in advance of lectures/seminars, directed further reading, and preparation of assignments.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Group Assignment   06/12/2024  15% 
Coursework   Individual Assignment   14/02/2025  85% 

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 Jo Barton, email: jobarton@essex.ac.uk.
Professor Gavin Sandercock, Dr Carly Wood
SRES Office, email: sres (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
No

External examiner

Dr Jen Burbage
University of Portsmouth
Associate Head (Students)
Prof Joanne Hudson
Swansea University
Professor
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 8 hours, 8 (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

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