MSc Paediatric Exercise and Health

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.

Learning and teaching

The MSc Paediatric Exercise and Health presents an academic challenge whilst also providing you with the skills to apply theoretical concepts in real-world laboratory and field settings. The Masters programme is intended to enhance teaching and learning through research and applied practice derived from sport, health and exercise. It will provide you with the opportunity to employ theoretical concepts in applied sport, health and exercise settings and acquire a range of transferable skills to develop as an autonomous and reflective individual.

All of our teaching staff are active researchers and their work informs public policy on exercise and health. For example, we provide scientific support and consultancy services to national and international athletes and teams including Rugby Football Union, England and Wales Cricket Board, and the Football Association.

Programme structure

The programme is made up of five compulsory modules. The list of modules may include the following;

• Paediatric Exercise Physiology;
• Laboratory Techniques in Physiology ;
• Paediatric Exercise and Health;
• Research Methods and Analytical Procedures
• Dissertation (Journal Article)

The modules listed here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Careers

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.

Visit the MSc Paediatric Exercise and Health page on the University of Exeter website for more details!