2025/26 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BMSC1218T Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology and Psychology (Teaching)

Module manager: Dr Matthew Lancaster
Email: m.k.lancaster@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2025/26

Pre-requisite qualifications

One science subject from: biology, human biology, chemistry, maths, physics, and physical education

Pre-requisites

BMSC1100T Structure and Function (Anatomy and Physiology) of Human Bod

Co-requisites

BMSC1113T Fundamentals of Motor Control and Biomechanics (Teaching)

Module replaces

BMSC1217T

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module introduces the core concepts underpinning two key disciplines in Sport and Exercise Science: Exercise Physiology and Psychology. 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.

Objectives

Learners should have a basic understanding of the core concepts in Physiology and Psychology including how each discipline relates to each other. This includes the core concepts of:
• Physiology includes the acute responses to exercise, and the chronic adaptations to exercise training
• Energy is required to drive metabolic processes
• Psychology involves the use of mental skills to enhance performance increase enjoyment, or achieve greater sport and physical activity self-satisfaction
• Interpersonal and social processes, psychological health, behaviour change
There will be in person 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.

Learning outcomes

• Explain the physiological responses in the context of exercise and training and how these might be tested and measured.
• Explain the psychological affects 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 these are affected by psychological processes
• Demonstrate understanding of how concepts covered in this module link to concepts covered elsewhere in the programme.

Skills outcomes

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 more advanced methods of measurements and testing to prepare them for practical classes

Syllabus

To explain and promote understanding of the core concepts in Biomechanics, Physiology, Motor Control, Psychology the following such topics will be included:

Physiology
- Principles & methodologies of exercise testing
- Limits of performance
- Principles of trainings
- Energy balance and nutrition
- Metabolic underpinnings of exercise responses

Psychology
- Goal setting
- Attention & concentration
- Imagery
- Motivation
- Arousal, stress and anxiety
- Mental toughness
- Psychological skills training
- Burnout and overtraining

Teaching Methods

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 139
Total Contact hours 41
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative MCQ tests covering content from each discipline for learners to gain feedback.
Submitted formative group application of knowledge pieces will receive generic formative feedback.
The associated assessment block, has a formative evidence informed report with individual formative feedback that will assess the learning outcomes of this module.

Reading List

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