XNB379 Strength and Conditioning
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | XNB379 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | XNB280 and XNB282 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $2,174 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,020 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,456 |
| International unit fee | $4,932 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | XNB379 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | XNB280 and XNB282 |
| Coordinator: | Vince Kelly | v6.kelly@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit will allow you to develop your understanding of and practical skills in strength and conditioning for improving sports performance. Practitioners in this field require 1) coaching skills in advanced resistance training, conditioning, speed and agility and skill development techniques; 2) the capacity to plan medium to long-term athlete development programs that enhance performance and minimise injury risk, and 3) an understanding of conventional practices in sports science and the limits to their evidence base. In addition, sports scientists need to understand the role of technology in monitoring athlete performance and signs and symptoms of overtraining and the interdisciplinary nature of their field. You will also learn how to communicate in a culturally sensitive, inclusive and non-discriminatory manner to a wide range of people including other professionals, support staff, service users and, when relevant, their relatives and carers.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Design exercise for individuals and groups including various resistance training techniques, conditioning and skill development sessions;
- Manage complexity of the design, implementation and modification of sports-specific exercise training sessions based on the requirements of the sport and the individual athlete, including age, gender and diversity
- Apply load monitoring methodologies to evaluate the efficacy of training sessions and athlete responses to them
- Critically evaluate complex strength and conditioning concepts and justify programming decisions using evidence-based principles and professional reasoning.
Content
The unit will cover the following areas with an emphasis on what can be considered 'conventional' and 'evidence-based' practice. Major topics include:
- Training session and program design for the development of sports-specific strength, power, agility, anaerobic and aerobic fitness and skills for individual and team sports
- Coaching skills necessary to improve the above capacities including
- Long-term planning (periodisation) of training programs and multi-year development of young athletes
- Minimising interference between different aspects of strength and conditioning
Learning Approaches
Classes will cover the evidence for the efficacy and appropriateness of different types of athletic training and strength and conditioning sessions and programs and their constituent activities, as well as the principles which govern strength and conditioning session and program design. This will involve the integration of theory and practice, including participation in activities to develop practical skills that promote understanding of the demands of strength and conditioning and real-world issues for their implementation in a strength and conditioning sessions and programs. These scenarios will present a range of sports, different exercise modes, and training modalities including athletes from diverse populations.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback to students
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- verbal and/or written feedback on each piece of formative and summative assessment during the semester;
- criteria sheet grading;
- comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets;
- generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas.
Assessment marking will be completed by academic staff and industry partners.
You are encouraged to communicate with the unit coordinator if you have any questions or concerns about the assessment items.
Assessment
Overview
General Assessment Information
This unit incorporates both formative and summative assessment items, to guide your progress in the unit and the course.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Mid Semester Exam
The Written Exam Assessment is a written account of your knowledge, application of knowledge and practical reasoning, to demonstrate that you have met some of the learning outcomes requirements of the unit XNB379 Strength and Conditioning.
The exam will be made up of multiple choice questions, short answer and essay questions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is NOT authorised during this assessment. Unauthorised use may be treated as a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and appropriate penalties imposed.
Assessment: Training Program Portfolio
You are required to develop a Portfolio that showcases your capacity to plan training sessions, incorporate strength and conditioning into training programs, manage recovery and manage long-term athletic development programs for two different athletes. You will also demonstrate the capacity to accommodate for unexpected enforced changes in that plan, including injury and unplanned absences.
This portfolio will involve using appropriate software to develop a program for two athletes and will be split into three parts submitted progressively throughout the semester:
- A periodised annual plan
- A strength and power training program
- A conditioning training program
The program for the first athlete will require you to use AI to develop a program. The second program will be from a diverse population including adolescents, para-athletes or adapted physical activity, masters athletes or other diverse populations.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Job Interview - Evaluation of Practical Reasoning and Career Readiness
The Oral Viva Assessment is an oral account of your knowledge, application of knowledge and practical reasoning, conducted in an interview style, to demonstrate that you have met the learning outcome requirements of the unit. This task requires you to respond to real-world scenarios and receive industry feedback to inform career development and employability.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is NOT authorised during this assessment. Unauthorised use may be treated as a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and appropriate penalties imposed.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
Must complete ESSA APSS Form before conducting any physical activity
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Joyce, D., Lewindon, D., Prisland, A., & Kay, J. (2021). High-performance training for sports, 2nd Edition. Human Kinetics.
Turner, A., & Comfort, P. (2022). Advanced strength and conditioning : an evidence-based approach, 2nd Edition. Routledge.
Risk Assessment Statement
You are required to read the Health and Safety Rules for School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Laboratories and Clinics prior to undertaking any of the practicals for this unit. These Health and Safety Rules are provided in electronic form on the online teaching site for this unit and are prominently displayed in hardcopy within the laboratory/clinic. The tutorial components of this unit are practical and involve strenuous physical activity that may present some possible risk of injury or complication. You will be required to complete a pre-participation medical screening questionnaire
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.XN50 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science
- Design and deliver exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of contemporary sport, exercise and health contexts.
Relates to: Training Program Portfolio - Apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
Relates to: Mid Semester Exam, Training Program Portfolio, Job Interview - Evaluation of Practical Reasoning and Career Readiness - Communicate and collaborate to transfer complex knowledge to clients and health professionals in a culturally safe manner.
Relates to: Training Program Portfolio - Apply knowledge and skills within the professional, legislative, and ethical standards of practice.
Relates to: Training Program Portfolio, Job Interview - Evaluation of Practical Reasoning and Career Readiness
XN55 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Honours)
- Design and deliver advanced exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of contemporary sport, exercise and health contexts.
Relates to: Mid Semester Exam, Training Program Portfolio - Critically apply problem-solving, innovative thinking, and analytical reasoning to develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
Relates to: Mid Semester Exam, Training Program Portfolio, Job Interview - Evaluation of Practical Reasoning and Career Readiness - Communicate and collaborate effectively using a range of written, oral and digital formats to transfer complex knowledge to clients and sport and exercise professionals in an inclusive and culturally responsive manner.
Relates to: Training Program Portfolio, Job Interview - Evaluation of Practical Reasoning and Career Readiness - Uphold the professional, legislative, and ethical standards of sport and exercise science expected of learner practitioners.
Relates to: Job Interview - Evaluation of Practical Reasoning and Career Readiness