Module manager: Dr Andrea Utley
Email: A.Utley@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
One science subject from: biology, human biology, chemistry, maths, physics, and physical education
| BMSC1218T | Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology and Psychology (Teaching |
BMSC1101T
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module introduces the core concepts underpinning two key disciplines in Sport and Exercise Science: Motor Control and Biomechanics. It focuses of the fundamental theories within these two topics to prepare students for later more advanced and applied material. It will also cover principles of experimental measurements and testing. Each topic is clearly signposted to give students clarity about what each discipline relates to, but their interdisciplinary nature will also be highlighted.
Learners should have a basic understanding of the core concepts in Motor Control and Biomechanics, including how the discipline relates to each other. This includes the core concepts of:
• Biomechanics refers to the study of movement using applied physical laws
• The generation of movement through the application of forces to biological and non-biological
structures
• Motor Control refers to how the central nervous system produces purposeful, coordinated
movements in its interaction with the rest of the body and with the environment
• Skill and life span development
There will be active learning sessions for each discipline. These will require learners to actively engage with the concepts and examples presented as pre-recorded screencasts prior to these sessions. The active learning sessions will allow for consolidation and discussion of the topics covered. Each discipline will include MCQ tests covering content for the learners to judge their progress and a problem solving exercise to engage with and submit as a part of a team
• Explain sensory and motor control of movement in the context of exercise and training and how these might be tested and measured.
• Explain biomechanics of movement and forces in the context of exercise and training and how these might be tested and measured.
• Describe how skills are developed through exercise and training, and how physical processes underpinning these can be described through biomechanics.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how concepts covered in this module link to concepts covered elsewhere in the programme.
One of the key aims of this module is to help learners to transition to a university-style approach to learning, giving them personal responsibility for organising their learning. They will be provided with resources to synthesise an understanding of the subject material and be able to discuss these in an active learning environment.
Learners will develop skills relating to teamwork, creative problem solving, integration of knowledge and communication throughout the module through engagement with team-discussions of case studies & evidence-based reports
They will learn about fundamentals of measurement and testing to prepare them for applied, practical classes.
To explain and promote understanding of the core concepts in Biomechanics, Physiology, Motor Control, Psychology the following such topics will be included:
Motor control
- The brain in motor control
- The role of sensory information
- Measurement of movements
- Laws of movement and decision making
- Information processing theory
- Dynamical systems theory
- Motor control across the lifespan
- Feedback for motor learning
Biomechanics
- Velocity & Acceleration
- Equations for describing motion
- Force concepts
- Kinematics of locomotion
- Mechanics of walking and running
- Aerodynamics
- Mechanical design
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-line Learning | 16 | 1 | 16 |
| Seminars | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Lecture | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Seminar | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Independent online learning hours | 20 | ||
| Private study hours | 119 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 41 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 180 | ||
Formative MCQ tests covering content from each discipline for learners to gain feedback.
Submitted group topics receive peer and generic feedback
The associated assessment block, has a formative evidence informed report which the students will receive written feedback on.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team