Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MSS3005

 
TITLE Science and Sports

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Mathematics and Science Education

 
DESCRIPTION The underlying principles and development of this study-unit are based on context-based learning. The sports and exercise contexts used are: ages 5-12 – running; ages 18-35 – football; ages over 60 – swimming; and wheelchair basketball for people with physical disabilities. Various scientific principles will be presented and investigated within each context. Students will experience practical skills for measurement using data logging tools and video analysis software to investigate the processes that occur during sports and exercise activity.

Study-Unit Aims:

The study-unit will enable students to:

- develop an understanding of the core concepts and principles underlying context-based learning;
- relate and contextualise a number of core scientific concepts and principles to sports and exercise activities; and
- carry out practical work and investigations.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- present and investigate various scientific principles within sport contexts;
- describe the mechanics of sports techniques in running, swimming, football and basketball;
- describe the energy changes involved in aerobic and anaerobic respiration and related chemical effects;
- describe the role of energy drinks and electrolytes, and the calorific and energy value of foods;
- investigate the properties of the water solution one swims in and the amount and type of solutes;
- describe the type of swimsuits used, and the polymers and materials that make up sport artifacts;
- describe the physiology of sports science (how the body and mind cope with, handle and learn from the stresses of performance);
- investigate the impact of exercise on the structures and mechanisms of the body;
- consider the effects of training, fitness, endurance and fatigue from the molecular and cellular level to the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems; and
- describe and analyse aspects of biomechanics, motor control, sport and exercise psychology.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- identify the relationship between theoretical scientific principles and apply them to sports performance and activity;
- carry out sports related measurements, using data logging tools and video analysis software to investigate the processes that occur while athletes are involved in sports activities;
- use critical thinking, interaction and problem solving skills; and
- communicate the findings effectively.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Garrett, W.E. & Kirkendall, D.T., (Editors) Exercise and Sports Science, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2000.
- Kenney, W. L., et al., Physiology of Sport and Exercise, 6th Edition, Human Kinetics, 2015.
- Goff, J. E., Gold Medal Physics - The Science of Sports, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010.
- McInnes Spathopoulos, V., An Introduction into the Physics of Sports, Create Space Independent Publishing Platform, 2013.

Supplementary Readings:

- Sewell, D., et al., Sport and Exercise Science: An Introduction, Routledge, 2013.
- Reaburn, P., et al., Practical Skills in Sport and Exercise Science, Pearson Education Limited, 2011.
- Goodstein, M., Sports Science Fair Projects, Enslow Publishers, Incorporated, 2015.
- MacLaren, D., and Morton, J., Biochemistry for Sport and Exercise Metabolism, John Wiley & Sons, 2011.
- Taconis, R., and den Brok, P., (Editors), Teachers Creating Context-Based Learning Environments in Science, Sense Publishers, 2016.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Practical

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation (20 Minutes) SEM1 Yes 20%
Presentation SEM1 Yes 20%
Practical SEM1 Yes 60%

 
LECTURER/S Katryna Baldacchino
Michel Spagnol
Audrey Vella Bondin

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit