SP7019 - Working with Elite Performers

This module builds upon the learning and teaching approaches adopted at Level 4, 5 and 6. You will develop your ability to critically apply theory to practice through a combination of lectures, guest speakers, seminar activities, practical workshops, demonstrations, supervised practice and self-directed activities. This learning will be supported through access to a variety of teaching materials made available on the electronic learning portal (eLP). Taught content will be both staff and student led, with an emphasis placed on your ability to practically apply theoretical and evidence-based approaches to coaching, nutrition, strength & conditioning and applied physiology.

The lectures will provide you with a critical understanding and knowledge of the inter/multi-disciplinary approaches in order to maximise elite sports performance. The applied sessions (Practical/Lab Based) will allow you to become familiar with a wide range of contemporary issues and strategies in elite sport and associated seminar sessions, which will provide an opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills from previous learning, in order to critically evaluate the roles across a number of interdisciplinary teams.

You will also have the opportunity to review your own and other’s context-specific planning, preparation, analysis of performance and working in inter-disciplinary teams. You are strongly encouraged to engage in independent study through the provision of reading lists and topics to be covered in preparation for all taught sessions There will be the opportunity to work in smaller groups with discipline specific members of staff who will facilitate context driven discussion and learning. You will also be set independent tasks informed by key literature and research to complete independently, outside of class time to further develop your understanding of the taught content.

Module information, assessment requirements and expectations, and important module announcements will be made through the eLP. Material to support your learning will be uploaded on a weekly basis in advance of taught sessions. You will be provided with content verbally and guided through tasks during timetabled sessions. The Module Leader is there to support you with any queries that you may have about the module content, and all staff members will provide tutorial time outside of their teaching hours. Dedicated sessions will be scheduled into the module to enable students to raise questions regarding the assessment. In addition to formative feedback being given throughout the module, feedback will be provided via one assessment: Summative (A multi-disciplinary & Individual discipline specific report), which will aid you in identifying areas of strength and areas for development. All forms of feedback and support is provided to students on a continuing basis during practical and seminar sessions. In these sessions’ case studies and scenarios of applied examples from the field and research will be examined. Directed tasks and problem solving will require students to utilise their knowledge to critically examine coaching methods and develop effective coaching strategies.

Students will receive feedback both from their peers alongside their tutors on their development throughout the module and there will be an opportunity to discuss this feedback more openly with a member of the module team during tutorials. Module tutors will provide you with the necessary information on how to arrange a tutorial. In addition, you will be able to take advantage of the University Library’s Skills Plus programme as you develop your skills as an undergraduate student. Specific tutor support and access to facilities (e.g., Sport Central, labs, strength & conditioning suite and Performance Analysis suites, etc.) will be provided to enable you to develop your inter-disciplinary perspective regarding elite athletes and their development and digital analytical skills. You will also have access to a discussion board (via the eLP) where support from peers and module staff can be accessed in relation to the module’s content and assessments.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the relative merits of a mono, multi and interdisciplinary approach to the development of elite performance;

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

2. Critically reflect upon the contribution of a variety of discipline areas to the development and preparation of high performance athletes and environments.
3. Critically reflect on the issues and challenges associated with working in interdisciplinary teams.
4. Engage in reflective practice and critique their role in the support team by reflecting on interpersonal and organisational issues;

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. To develop an inter-disciplinary perspective regarding high performance athletes and their development.

Assessment 1 (Group Component) 50%
A multi-disciplinary Presentation (15 minutes)

In groups of 3, you will be provided with a series of case studies relating to athletes and teams working in a number of high-performance environments. Once agreed with the module tutor, you will be required to select one of these case studies and will then be expected to critically reflect upon the contribution of a variety of discipline areas towards the development of elite performance and the preparation of elite performers and / or teams.

Assessment 2 (Individual Component) 50%
An individual discipline specific report (3000 words)

Individually, each student must present a report which critically analyses your role as a practitioner associated with the chosen case study selected. Critically evaluate your contribution to improving the performance of the individual athlete / team and to the specific performance environment analysed. You will be expected to make recommendations for improved sport performance and/or how you will support your athlete or team, using current empirical evidence and theoretical underpinning to support your recommendations.

Formative feedback will be provided to students on a continuing basis during seminar, practical, workshop and demonstrator sessions. In these sessions’ case studies of applied examples from the field and research will be examined. Students will receive peer and tutor feedback on their efforts. Dedicated sessions will be scheduled into the module to enable students to raise questions regarding their assessment. In addition to formative feedback being given throughout the module, students will receive written or audio feedback on their (Summative Assessment) to help them identify areas of strength and areas for development. There will be the opportunity to discuss their feedback with a member of staff during a tutorial.

A whole group feedback session will also take place following the assessment, in which generic feedback will be provided.

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“Working with Elite Performers” is a practically applied module which represents a chance to advance your critical and empathetic awareness of coaching and managing an individual athlete or team to support and maximise the fulfilment of athletic goals. Your ability to practically apply theoretical and evidence-based approaches to coaching in a manner that maximises learning and performance for athletes will be enhanced through an integrated series of learning episodes. These will be delivered by a team of academic staff and practitioners with applied and theoretical expertise. Your assessments will challenge your ability to critically reflect upon the contribution of a variety of discipline areas towards the development of elite performance and the preparation of elite performers and / or teams. Upon successful completion of the module, employability skills related to Professional Behaviour & Development, Leadership & Influence, Problem Solving, Organization & Time Management, Communication Ability and (Inter) Personal skills will all be developed and enhanced.