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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2023/2024

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Moray House School of Education and Sport : Education

Postgraduate Course: Physical activity for health across the life span (SPRT11004)

Course Outline
SchoolMoray House School of Education and Sport CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryPhysical activity benefits physical and mental health. It promotes social connectedness, quality of life, and general well-being. However, in 2012 the Lancet declared a global pandemic in terms of a lack of physical activity. This course will explore the determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour across the life span, as well as the benefits in in determining health in specific populations. It will consider the evidence underpinning physical activity recommendations in early years, children and adolescents, and older adults, and barriers and facilitators to activity in these populations.

This course will be taught by staff who are members of the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC: http://www.ed.ac.uk/education/pahrc)
Course description Through lectures, activities and assignments, this course will consider the prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in early years, children, adolescence and older adults. The key developmental and psychosocial determinants of physical activity in different populations will be covered. Throughout the course students will be encouraged to critically review the evidence identifying the relationship between physical activity and sedentary behaviour in each population.

It is likely that the course will include sessions on:
Early years populations
Children and adolescents
Gender differences
Older adults

Students will be encouraged to actively participate in interactive discussions and learning activities. Students will be set tasks to guide their reading and engagement with the material. Assignments will further facilitate consideration of the lecture material and how it relates to additional research papers and application. Students will also have the opportunity to engage with PAHRC-led research activities.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements No specific pre-requisites are required but please contact course organiser to discuss suitability
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNo specific pre-requisites are required but please contact course organiser to discuss suitability
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2023/24, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  28
Course Start Semester 2
Course Start Date 15/01/2024
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 10, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 88 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 2000 word case study report
Feedback Students will be provided with detailed summative individual and cohort feedback on their case study assignment. Prior to beginning the case study assignment students will submit an unassessed case study proposal. Students will receive formative feedback on this proposal. This formative feedback should be used to inform the case study assignment, and students are specifically asked to detail their 'Action on Prior Feedback' on the cover sheet of their case study assignment
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. be critically aware of current global inequalities in physical activity and sedentary behaviour
  2. develop a critical understanding of how correlates, determinants, barriers and facilitators of physical activity and sedentary behaviour can vary between different populations
  3. be able to critically reflect on current evidence and situational information to inform approaches to behaviour change in specific populations
Reading List
Core texts for this course are:
Hardman, A. and Stensel, D. Physical activity and health : the evidence explained. 2nd edition. (2009) UK, Routledge.
Smith, A and Biddle, S. Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour (Eds). (2008) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Selective journal articles from relevant journals such as Journal of Physical Activity and Health and Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills During this course students will have the opportunity to practice and develop their ability to:

1) be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning, and are committed to continuous reflections, self-evaluation and self-improvement;
2) be able to exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in academic activities, including decision making on the basis of independent thought;
3) be able to reflect on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgements in physical activity and health;
4) be able to identify and effectively communicate with relevant individuals and organisations beyond their immediate environment;
5) have the confidence to make informed decisions relating to problems and issues in physical activity and health;
6) be able to identify and manage risks appropriately (e.g., during fieldwork, working with vulnerable groups)
Special Arrangements We welcome students from outside the MSc Physical Activity for Health programme, but students should first contact the course organiser to determine suitability
KeywordsPhysical activity; lifespan perspective; children; adolescents; older adults; medicine
Contacts
Course organiserDr Samantha Fawkner
Tel: (0131 6)50 9778
Email: s.fawkner@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr George Adams
Tel: (0131 6)51 6206
Email: George.Adams@ed.ac.uk
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