Module Code - Title:
SS6032
-
ENDURANCE SPORTS
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
Endurance is required in a wide range of sports activities and can be expressed in various forms depending on the duration and intensity demands of the activity. A wide range of factors influence performance in endurance activities including: Physiological, nutritional, biomechanics and psychological factors. This module will provide core knowledge of endurance development and an understanding of how the physiological, nutritional, biomechanical and psychological factors influence this development. The module will be delivered using a combination of lectures, lab sessions as well as case based and problem based learning activities. The emphasis of this module will be on gaining an understanding of the methodologies to develop an endurance based athlete and applying these techniques and methodologies in a practical setting.
Syllabus:
Biomechanical Aspects of Endurance Development - Biomechanical responses to fatiguing exercise:
Changes in movement pattern, muscle activation patterns, impact forces in response to fatigue.
Measurement of the biomechanical responses to fatigue using force platforms, EMG and Motion Analysis.
Nutritional Aspects of Endurance Development - principles of nutrient intake for sports performance; macro and miconutrients; body water and fluid composition; nutrient intake and body composition; nutrient interaction with exercise and competition; adaptation and recovery.
Physiological Aspects of Endurance Development - muscle adaptation to endurance training;
cardiovascular and respiratory adaptation to endurance training; environmental effects of endurance training and competition.
Central and peripheral fatigue in endurance exercise.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Demonstrate an understanding of current research within the area of endurance sports.
Demonstrate lab based skills to enhance learning and demonstrate a grasp of theoretical concepts.
Recall and assess theoretical concepts related to a number of different case studies.
Draw upon skills and knowledge already acquired in an undergraduate degree programme.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
N/A
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
Demonstrate proficiency in relevant laboratory skills and techniques in measurement of endurance performance using biomechanical, nutritional, and physiological techniques.
Present and interpret results of laboratory measurements or evaluations of endurance performance from the biomechanical, nutritional, physiological and psychological domains.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Manore, M.M., Meyer, N.L. and Thompson, J. (2009)
Sport Nutrition for Health and Performance
, Leeds, Human Kinetics.
Dunford, M. (2010)
Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Nutrition
, Leeds, Human Kinetics.
Wilmore JH, Costill DL and Kennedy WL. (2007)
Physiology of Sport and Exercise (4th Ed)ISBN 978-0736055833.
, Human Kinetics Ltd, Champaign.
Zatsiorsky ,V. (1998)
Kinematics of Human Motion
ISBN 0-88011-676-5
, Human Kinetics Publishers, Champaign, IL.
Zatsiorsky, V. (2002)
Kinetics of Human Motion Human
ISBN 0-7360-3778-0
, Kinetics Publishers, Champaign, IL.
Other Relevant Texts:
Shephard R and Astrand P-O (Eds) (2000)
Endurance in Sport 2: The Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine)
ISBN 978-0632053483
, Wiley-Blackwell.
Clark, N. (2008)
Sports Nutrition Guidebook 4th edition.
, Leeds, Human Kinetics.
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
catherine.norton@ul.ie