MASTER OF SCIENCE (EXERCISE AND SPORTS SCIENCE)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
HCU 800: Research Methods
(to harmonize synopsis across SAHS dept)
HCU 801: Statistics
(to harmonize synopsis across SAHS dept)
Descriptive and inferential statistics to include parametric and non-parametric statistics and
their use in data analysis and hypothesis testing. Graphic presentation of data. Multi-variant
tabular analysis, computer application in statistics analysis.
HES 800: Applied Exercise Physiology
The role of exercise physiologist in health care, fitness and athletics. Physical and
physiological parameters in health and fitness. Energy expenditure and fatigue. The human
body-responses to maximal exercise, adaptation to acute and chronic exercise. Hormonal
responses to exercise. Effects exercise on hormones. Exercise in varying environmental
conditions. Laboratory emphasis on physiological profiles of the human body responses to
selected exercise intensities and environments.
HES 801: Nutrition for Exercise and Sport
Role of cellular nutrition in human performance. Dietary considerations in health and training
for sport performance. Balanced diet and fluid balance in sporting activity. Food nutritional
value assessment and nutrients specific contribution to optimal health and athletic training,
fieldtrip. Relevance of knowledge of nutrition and dietary during training and competition.
Control of athletes in training and sports competition. Legal and contemporary issues in
nutrition for optimal sports performance
HES 802: Applied Therapeutic Modalities in Exercise and Sports
Physiological and pathological processes of trauma, healing and tissue repair. Current
practices in therapeutic modalities with regard to healing and rehabilitation processes;
techniques to reduce pain, to limit edema, to restore joint mobility, muscle extensibility,
strength, endurance and power, return to play. The efficacy, physiological implications,
indication and contraindications of various therapeutic modalities; superficial thermal agents,
electrical stimulation, ultrasound, diathermy, laser, light, and mechanical modalities.
Modalities set up, athlete/patient preparation, techniques and procedures (Theory and
Practical). Use of biofeedback in muscle re-education. Therapeutic modalities programmes
for specific injuries and illnesses. Current trends. Field trip
HES 803: Laboratory Methods in Human Movement and Performance
Human performance laboratory equipment. Stress testing, body mass and composition
measures, oxygen and gas analysis, cardiovascular functional and endurance testing
techniques, muscular strength and endurance measuring techniques, flexibility measurement
techniques, reaction time measurement techniques, selected blood biochemistry analysis
techniques, and mt DNA analysis. Group laboratory work and client management. Graded
exercise testing, ECG monitoring and interpretation, respiratory function testing,
interpretation of test data. Legal, ethical and contemporary issues in exercise testing. Field
trip.
HES 804: Exercise in Chronic Diseases
Exercise for people with chronic diseases for purposes of improving performance, quality of
life, rehabilitation and management of these conditions as adjunct therapy. Chronic
conditions included but not limited to hypertension, hypotension, bronchial/lungs diseases,
liver cirrhosis, cancer, chronic kidney diseases, back pain, diabetes, obesity, ageing, ischemic
heart disease, heart failure, and related cardio-myopathies, strokes, congestive obstructive
pulmonary disease, adaptations in physical activities to suit people with cardiovascular
diseases. Impact of these diseases on exercise performance, impact of exercise on these
diseases and appropriate clinical testing procedures. Indications, contraindications and special
considerations in design of exercise programs for people with these diseases, fieldtrip. Legal,
ethical issues and contemporary issues in exercise chronic diseases.
HES 805: Advanced Sport and Exercise Psychology
Individual characteristics that affect sport participants’ behaviour, including self-perceptions,
attributional patterns and perceptions of control, motivational orientations, and achievement
goal perspectives in sport. Socio- environmental factors that affect sport participants’
behaviours including group dynamics in exercise and sport, social influence in sport and
coaching effectiveness in the sport domain. Psychological skills and intervention techniques
used for enhancing performance and modifying athletes’ behaviours, including imagery and
mental rehearsal, attentional processes, goal setting, and flow and peak performance. .
Fundamental goal concepts for process and performance success. Athletic injury and sport
behaviour. Gender, legal, ethical and contemporary issues in psychology of sport and
exercise. Field trip.
HES 806: Pharmacology in Sport and Exercise
Pharmacodynamics, pharmockinetics, indications, contra-indications of medications used for
treatment of acute injuries and chronic diseases. Impact of these medications on blood
pressure, heart rate, performance and the World Anti-doping Agency’s position stand on their
legality in competitions. Possible impact of these medications on human performance through
nutrient depletion in the body. Medications covered will include but not be limited to the
following medications: NSAID’s, corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics,
hypoglycaemic agents, anti-hypertensive agents, psychotropics, anti-depressants as well as
drugs for treatment of disease of the following systems: circulatory, neurological, gastrointestinal. Procedures for recording drugs in treatment. Procedures for testing banned
substance use. Pharmacology legalities and liabilities. Contemporary issues in pharmacology
as related to sports and exercise, fieldtrip.
HES 807: Exercise and Sports in Disability
An in -depth coverage of the essential issues involving athletes with disabilities including;
social trends in disability sport and exercise, competitions and sport opportunities for athletes
with disabilities, medical aspects for athletes with disabilities, disability sport equipment and
facilities, coaching and training athletes with disabilities, event management, challenges and
controversies in disability sport. Current research in disability sport and exercise, gender,
legal and ethical issues in disability sport and exercise. Field trip.
HES 808: Sports Performance & Ergogenic Aids
Ergogenic aids in sports performance and training. Positive and negative effects of ergogenic
materials should be established. The use of performance enhancement drugs, drinks and
contraindications. Illicit and banned substances in sports. Enhancement of sports performance
through modification of sports and athletic equipment. Sport/ exercise attire/ uniform with
sports equipment. Legal and contemporary issues in ergogenic aids in sports and
performance.
HES 809: Prevention and Management of Athletes’ Medical Conditions
Respiratory tract conditions: sinusitis, mononucleosis, bronchial and exercise-induced
asthma. Gastrointestinal tract conditions: constipation, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and
hemorrhoids. Reproductive: Dermatological conditions, STDs, Hepatitis, Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Menstrual dysfunctions. Pregnancy and sport
participation. Iron-deficiency anemia. The diabetic athlete: diabetic coma, insulin shock,
exercise and diabetes.
Substance abuse. Eating disorders. Female Athlete Triad.
Management strategies .Field work and practice with teams: analysis, assessment, and
management of injuries and medical conditions.
HES 810: Health and Exercise Physiology Practicum (480 hours)
Candidates will undertake an internship for 480 hours (4 months). The practicum will provide
valuable field experience where students will apply their theoretical knowledge gained in the
classroom to real-world settings. The practicum will expand the student’s knowledge and
skills through interaction with experienced professionals in a supervised workplace setting,
facilitate the transition from student to professionals aiding them to clarify their career
objectives. At the conclusion of the practicum, each student will need to submit a written
report detailing their experience during the practicum.
HES 812: Thesis
This is a capstone experience in the masters degree program. Candidates will be expected,
under the guidance of a supervisor(s) undertake the formally; developer concept paper,
present this to during the post graduate seminar to the department, prepare and successfully
defend a research proposal to the department, submit proposals two graduate school for
approval, seek ethical review clearance and a research permit from the relevant authority.
Collect and analyze the data, as well as present the findings at post-graduate seminar before
submitting the thesis for a defense towards fulfillment of requirements for a master’s degree.