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Sport and Exercise Science

a student completing weighted back squats under the watchful eye of an instructor

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to the Sport and Exercise Science resource page.

Here you will find out exactly what our academics are looking for in their students, including skills they look out for, some of the topics they want you to know, recommended reading and useful places to boost your knowledge.

So without further ado let's get started!

Skills we are looking for

  • Curiosity
  • Asking questions
  • Effective problem-solving skills
  • The ability to work on their own initiative
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel
  • Be able to video and analyse their own or others' sports movements on their mobile phone

Two students on exercise bikes with breathing apparatus, with one student having blood taken

Topics to explore before you start

  • Positive psychology
  • Major bones and muscles in the body
  • Cardiovascular and respiratory systems
  • Macro and micronutrients
  • Fitness components: Strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility, balance
a student looking a a sealed vial of blood

Recommended reading to prepare for university

  • Weinberg, R., and Gould, D. (2018) Foundations of sport and exercise psychology (7th ed.), USA, Human Kinetics. ISBN:1492570591.
  • Brady, A., and Grenville-Cleave, B. (2018) Positive psychology in sport and physical activity, London, Routledge. ISBN:1138235598.
  • McArdle, W.D., Katch, F.I., and Katch, V.L. (2014) Exercise Physiology: Nutrition, Energy and Human Performance (8th ed.), USA, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. ISBN:1451193831.
a student looking tired on an exercise bike with two other students keeping time and making notes

Programmes to know

  • Microsoft Excel (to make sports data make sense to athletes)
  • Kinovea or other video analysis software that is free to download and accessible for athletes and coaches

Websites our academics recommend

The British Association of Sport and Exercise Science:

The professional body for sport and exercise sciences in the UK.

The UK Strength and Conditioning Association:

The UKSCA is the pre-eminent professional body for strength and conditioning practitioners in the UK.

Positive Psychology:

Learn about Positive Psychology and how to apply it in practice.

Professional bodies to research

The British Association of Sport and Exercise Science:

The professional body for sport and exercise sciences in the UK.

The UK Strength and Conditioning Association:

The UKSCA is the pre-eminent professional body for strength and conditioning practitioners in the UK.

The Physiological Society:

The Physiological Society brings together over 4000 scientists from over 60 countries.

the Herts netball team completing a hands in affirmation before returning to play

Courses Herts offer

Interested in studying Sport and Exercise Science here at Herts?

Take a look at our undergraduate course below:

As part of this course, you will have the opportunity to add an additional year to study abroad or do a work placement.

Get a feel for studying at Herts

Contact us

We hope you all found these resources useful but we appreciate that you may have more questions.

If you have any questions regarding our campuses, facilities, accommodation or just general life here at Herts, you can contact current Herts students via Unibuddy.