Course Catalogue

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This course examines the role of physical activity in improving population health and reducing chronic disease risk. Students will explore current evidence, learn to design and evaluate interventions, and understand how research informs practice and policy. Through case studies and applied tasks, the course equips students with the knowledge and skills to translate physical activity research into effective public health strategies across diverse populations and settings.

Lectures and Practical Sessions will take place in semester 2

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Assessment 2 - Poster Design and Presentation on an Existing Physical Activity Trial (Weight: 50%)

Assessment 2 - Designing an Intervention to Improve Population Health Through Physical Activity (Weight: 50%)

The aim of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the role of physical activity in health promotion and disease prevention, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to critically appraise evidence, design and evaluate interventions, and translate research into practice and policy to improve population health outcomes.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

■ Critically evaluate the scientific evidence linking physical activity to health outcomes across the life course.

■ Demonstrate understanding of behavioural, social, and environmental determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

■ Explain current global and national physical activity guidelines and their application in different populations.

Applied Skills

■ Design, implement, and evaluate physical activity interventions in a range of contexts (e.g. workplace, community, healthcare).

■ Apply appropriate methods for measuring physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and health outcomes.

■ Assess the economic, social, and policy implications of physical activity interventions.

Critical Thinking and Analysis

■ Critically appraise the strengths and limitations of physical activity research, trials, and public health interventions.

■ Integrate theoretical frameworks (e.g. behaviour change models, logic models) into the development and evaluation of interventions.

Transferable Skills

■ Communicate complex evidence and intervention strategies effectively to academic, professional, and lay audiences.

■ Work collaboratively to develop research proposals and practical solutions for promoting physical activity in real-world settings.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.