XNB175 Exercise and Sport Psychology

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

As you move towards being an exercise and health professional it is essential to appreciate the impact people's psychology can have on their well-being and ability to regularly engage in physical activity, exercise, or sport. This unit introduces you to a range of theories and models of exercise and sport behaviour, and psychological factors that influence participation in physical activity, exercise and sport. It also examines the relationship between physical activity, exercise and sport and psychological wellbeing, and provides you with basic knowledge and skills for helping increase people's physical activity, exercise and sport levels. This unit prepares you for and complements study to be undertaken in XNB375 Applied Exercise and Sport Psychology.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Describe and discuss the role of psychology for understanding the motivation behind people's engagement with exercise;
2. Identify and classify barriers and faciliators to exercise engagement and sedentary behaviour;
3. Identify and describe theoretical approaches and models to behaviour change to maintain and motivate a physically active lifestyle;
4. Recognise and evaluate the psychological consequences of exercise participation; and
5. Develop critical analysis and teamwork skills.

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit will make extensive use of web-based resources, case based scenarios, podcasts, delivered via a blended learning approach, where you will engage in collaborative activity with peers and tutors. The oral presentation assessment will be done in groups, where you will work on your teamwork skills.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback to Students
Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

• You will be provided with 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; and
• generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas

You are encouraged to communicate with the unit coordinator or unit tutor if you have any questions or concerns about the assessment items.

Assessment

Overview

General Assessment Information
Each assessment item is designed to measure your knowledge and mastery of the unit learning outcomes.

Attendance at workshops is necessary to demonstrate the ability to meet the learning outcomes of this unit. You can apply for exemptions if they are unable to attend workshops due to 'special circumstances' (see https://qutvirtual4.qut.edu.au/group/student/enrolment/special-circumstances for examples). Please note that evidence will need to be provided. Where possible and time-permitting you will be accommodated in workshops at different times where 'special circumstances' are evidenced.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Journal Article Review

To gain a feel for the topics and research methodology in the field of exercise psychology, you are to review one article identified in a relevant exercise psychology journal (e.g., Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Psychology of Sport and Exercise, International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology). Your review will include a discussion of the article content, your thoughts on the findings, and how the topic connects with your own personal interests.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Presentation (Oral, Group)

In small groups, you will develop a practical-based session and give a presentation. The aim of this presentation will be to critically review a health behaviour change model and use it to (i) examine an existing physical activity program in Australia, and (ii) inform an innovative strategy that could be implemented by an exercise scientists to increase people’s physical activity levels.

Assessment: Written Examination

An examination including questions derived from lectures, tutorials, and readings.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You will be invited to participate in health and fitness assessments within this unit. You will complete and conduct the standard exercise pre-screening tool to ensure the participant is safe to participate in the activity. Guidelines for test termination will also be followed as outline by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Course Learning Outcomes

XN50 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

1. Apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
   Relates to: Journal Article Review, Presentation (Oral, Group), Written Examination
2. Communicate and collaborate to transfer complex knowledge to clients and health professionals in a culturally safe manner.
   Relates to: Presentation (Oral, Group)

XN51 Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology

1. Apply problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
   Relates to: Journal Article Review, Presentation (Oral, Group), Written Examination
2. Communicate and collaborate to transfer complex knowledge to clients and health professionals in a culturally safe manner.
   Relates to: Presentation (Oral, Group)

XN52 Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours)

1. Apply problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
   Relates to: Journal Article Review, Presentation (Oral, Group), Written Examination
2. Communicate and collaborate to transfer complex knowledge to clients and health professionals in a culturally safe manner.
   Relates to: Presentation (Oral, Group)