Applied Exercise for Health - Kerry Campus

The MSc in Applied Exercise for Health provides learners with the theory and evidence based practice of applied exercise leadership and lifestyle/behaviour intervention skills, in particular, for people with chronic illnesses or disability, in group or individual client contexts.

WHAT DOES THIS PROGRAMME AIM TO ACHIEVE?
This programme aims to develop the learners' knowledge, skills and competence in:

• The theoretical basis of pathologies, treatments, effects of exercise and exercise programming for relevant medical conditions;

• The theoretical and practical underpinning of the link to overall health and the lifestyle connection outside of the medical exercise domain;

• The theoretical basis of human behaviours and strategies for effective change;

• Exercise leadership, client screening and management, exercise adaptation Interdisciplinary engagement (referral, strategy & policy planning);

• Exercise programmes development, implementation and evaluation;

• Strategies for lifestyle/behaviour change (in context);

• Capacity to gather research evidence in support of impact/ efficacy, etc.

WHY STUDY APPLIED EXERCISE FOR HEALTH AT IT TRALEE?
The Master of Science in Applied Exercise for Health is likely to be of interest to graduates of honours bachelor of science degrees such as health and leisure, health and leisure with massage, sports science, physiotherapy and similar professionals who wish to upskill so as to:

• Incorporate training on the preventative and treatment role of physical activity as a core component of undergraduate and in-service training for all health professionals;

• Develop and implement a pilot programme for the National Exercise Referral Framework;

• Include questions on physical activity levels in risk factor screening and brief intervention/ patient education;

• Develop guidelines, support materials and referral pathways to promote physical activity for organisations providing mental health services and disability services;

• Develop guidelines to integrate physical activity into log-term care planning and practice;

• Extend existing and developing programmes for physical activity for people with disabilities and their families to enhance and deliver a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme;

• Establish a research programme to inform policies aimed at improving physical activity levels in each of the target groups.

The content of the proposed programme reflects several interrelated paradigms: The role of exercise health specialist, which is recognised by relevant professional bodies around the world The concept of healthy lifestyle and the practice of lifestyle intervention The exercise referral, exercise as medicine concepts. Inclusive practice, and provision of opportunities for everyone to engage in constructive physical activity.

Learners who do not wish to complete the research project may register for or, having successfully completed the relevant programme requirements, leave the Masters programme and exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Exercise for Health.

Applicants to the MSc in Applied Exercise for Health and its embedded awards must meet the following minimum entry requirements:

• Bachelor (honours degree) 2:2 or higher in physical education, health and leisure, sports science, physiotherapy or related fields;

Be eligible for registration on the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) in Ireland for the following awards:

• Fitness Instructor
• Group Fitness
• Personal Trainer

• Sufficient conversational and written English language skills - an IELTS requirement of 6.5;

Have a satisfactory Garda vetting response.

Closing Date: 14th January 2022

1 year.

HOW IS THE PROGRAMME DELIVERED?
It is intended to deliver this Master of Science (taught mode) programme as a full-time programme over two days per week for two semesters and with occasional group seminars. The third semester is entirely taken up with a major research project. Where sufficient applicants wish to pursue the programme in part-time mode, then learners may take half of the modules each semester (equating to approximately one day per week for four semesters) and then undertake the research project after all taught modules have been completed.