Programme overview
It is well known that the first two decades of life represent an important window of opportunity to not only improve the health and well-being of young people, but also their health status into adult life. The role that physical activity and fitness can play in improving markers of health and well-being in young people is an important area of study, especially given concerns of declining fitness and increasing obesity in today’s children and adolescents.
Based on the internationally-recognised research conducted at the Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre (CHERC), our Masters programme in Paediatric Exercise and Health offers a thorough grounding in the unique physiological responses of children and adolescents during exercise and how these responses are influenced by age, sex and biological maturation. It provides an in depth evaluation of the relationships between physical activity, fitness and health in young people. You will gain experience of both theoretical and hands-on methods used to evaluate physical activity and fitness, plus advanced training in research methods and analytical procedures.
The programme is delivered within a friendly and supportive learning environment, drawing upon innovative multi-method and multi-disciplinary research and teaching by our leading academics. You will have opportunities for involvement with on-going research projects and to develop key transferable skills beneficial for further doctoral study.
Dedicated careers day and tailored career support for each student are provided. Graduates of the programme have typically found employment in a variety of sport, exercise, leisure management and consultancy, and health promotion settings. Recent examples include: community based physical activity coordinators and directors; research assistant at the Medical Research Council; and a local authority physical activity specialist for children with coordination and movement difficulties.
The programme is suitable for sport, exercise and health-related professionals seeking continuing professional development. Recent examples of professionals graduating from our programmes include medical doctors, practice nurses, physiotherapists and youth sports managers/coaches.
I have worked with children for a number of years as a teacher and coach, and would like to continue working with them in the future, hopefully in a hospital or organisation that uses physical activity interventions to rehabilitate children who suffer from chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. In the words of Dr Neil Armstrong, ‘Children are not mini adults’, and by doing this degree I will be able to better comprehend how growth and maturation affects children, and design training programmes to suit their stage of development and particular health needs.
I recommend the School of Sport and Health Sciences because the facilities and lecturers are all world class. Classes are small and interactive and there’s always someone you can turn to for support when you need it. There are lots of opportunities for you to work independently and you are given a degree of autonomy in terms of choosing an area of research that interests you. The small friendly campus means you do not get lost in the crowd, unlike big universities.
The School of Sports and Health Sciences has a dedicated careers advisor who keeps us up to date on sports related jobs and courses on a weekly basis. The sports guild runs a community schools coaching programme which may be beneficial to coaches and those interested in working with children who want hands on experience.
Joel Paul, MSc Paediatric Exercise Physiology International Student
