SE763-7-SP-CO:
Youth Athletic Development
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2025/26
Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Inactive
Monday 12 January 2026
Friday 20 March 2026
15
19 October 2023
Requisites for this module
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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.
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
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.
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
Formal lectures.
Practical sessions.
Four week period of work-based learning
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
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Coursework weighting |
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
Reassessment
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)
Yes
Yes
Yes
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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