Bachelor of Exercise in Sport and Leisure
Culture and Arts - Sport
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
This Bachelor of Exercise in Sport and Leisure program aims to equip learners with the necessary skills and comprehensive knowledge essential for professional practice within sport, leisure, and fitness settings. The core focus of the program lies in exercise science, complemented by modules in business management and psycho-social studies. Upon completion, graduates will possess the capability to design, manage, and execute scientifically-grounded projects tailored for diverse participants across various sport, fitness, or leisure business environments. Specifically, learners will be able to:
- Utilize current exercise science and technology to develop safe and effective projects.
- Apply exercise science principles to strategize and execute projects catering to different needs and objectives.
- Instruct various techniques, employing diverse teaching methods and communication styles to lead individuals or groups.
- Apply psycho-social expertise to manage individuals or groups effectively.
- Execute people and facility management, drawing upon leadership and business management theories and principles.
- Engage with the industries they serve in a critical manner, showcasing conceptual, applied, and reflexive knowledge crucial for professional practice.
- Analyze and incorporate the latest theories and contemporary science into project design.
This qualification will culminate in the attainment of the highest professional designations recognized by the Register of Exercise Professionals South Africa (REPSSA), aligning with best practices in both national and international sport, leisure, and fitness domains.
Rationale:
The health and fitness industries, along with associated leisure, sport, and recreation sectors, have witnessed significant growth since the early 1980s, as reported by the Bureau of Labour Statistics in 2014. Membership in fitness facilities in the USA alone observed an 18.6% increase between 2008 and 2014 (Franchise-Help, 2016). Notably, one of South Africa's prominent fitness and leisure organizations reported a 14% growth in the local market by the end of 2013, expanding its club count annually (Virgin Active South Africa, 2016). Physical exercise is now widely acknowledged as a cornerstone for enhancing lifestyle and reducing risks linked to chronic lifestyle diseases domestically and internationally. Consequently, the sport and fitness profession has burgeoned globally, leading to the establishment of internationally recognized professional bodies such as the International Confederation of Registers on Exercise Professionals (IC REPS), and an expanding sport and leisure industry with a shortage of qualified professionals (Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority, 2013).
There is an evident requirement for managerial acumen and expertise among emerging professionals in the sport and leisure industries, where leadership skills manifest in various settings including private practices, exercise studios, multinational fitness complexes, corporate health environments, sports clubs, and federations. This extends to health and wellness spas that may operate independently or within the broader hospitality, leisure, and tourism sectors. Consequently, proficient professionals are indispensable to manage people and environments, lead and oversee individuals and groups, as well as provide guidance on health and performance. The industry necessitates ethical practitioners who can collaborate within a multi-disciplinary framework, integrating their knowledge of exercise science into practical applications while demonstrating the essential attributes for managing individuals and teams in rapidly evolving fields.
This qualification is strategically configured to address these needs by imparting scarce skills fundamental in the global sport, exercise, and leisure industries, alongside vital competencies essential for managing individuals, teams, and enterprises within local and international contexts. Ultimately, graduates will be acknowledged by the Register of Exercise Professionals South Africa (REPSSA), enabling them to achieve the highest professional designation as either Sports Science Conditioning Specialists or Exercise Program Managers based on their elective or specialization area (REPSSA, 2016).
Outcomes
- Demonstrate the detailed knowledge of current science and wellness models to sport and leisure programmes.
- Conduct screening, assessment, testing and exercise prescription.
- Design and implement programmes for individuals, communities or organisations.
- Manage business environments in sport or leisure.
- Demonstrate relevant psycho-social knowledge and skills to leadership and management.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Analyse and apply principles and theories of exercise science to movement, exercise, and sports activities.
- Explain and evaluate the role of exercise, nutrition, and stress management in terms of chronic disease reduction, improved lifestyle, and sports performance.
- Explain the social and economic effects of poor health and lifestyle in terms of individual, corporate, and social health and wellness initiatives.
- Analyse and apply current health science, exercise science, and wellness models that inform sport and leisure programmes.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Conduct risk screening, evaluation, assessment, and fitness testing informed by current health science and exercise science.
- Identify health risks and lifestyle needs to achieve health, well-being, and performance goals.
- Conduct health-based assessments and sport-specific tests to evaluate exercise readiness or sports participation and inform exercise prescription.
- Prescribe a program underpinned by current science in terms of health, wellness, fitness, or sports outcomes.
- Collect, record, and manage data to monitor and evaluate progress, in line with ethical and legal data management standards and principles.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Analyse and apply current health and wellness theories to the design of individual, community, and corporate programs.
- Plan and implement programs to improve and manage the health, well-being, and fitness of healthy populations and/or healthy special populations.
- Design and implement programs in consideration of participants with special needs.
- Monitor and evaluate responses to programs to measure, compare and contrast outcomes and to adapt accordingly.
- Select and apply methods and techniques, equipment, or accessories to safely and effectively support a range of outcomes and modalities.
- Teach, remediate, or improve and apply techniques and methods informed by a comprehensive knowledge of exercise science.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Analyse and apply current business and finance theories relevant to the governance and management of programs and facilities.
- Select and apply theories of marketing, sales, and customer service to professional practice and business contexts.
- Evaluate and apply human resources and industrial relations theories in the management of people and professional environments.
- Analyse and apply principles of data collection, analysis, and reporting to business and finance management and reviews.
- Critically analyse corporate and contractual laws, rules, and policies in terms of their application in professional and business contexts.
- Apply ethical boundaries and scopes of practice in sports and leisure exercise context.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Explain the psychological and social benefits of sport and exercise in the health, well-being, and performance of individuals and groups.
- Evaluate and apply current psycho-social theories and principles in the leadership and management of individuals and teams.
- Analyse and apply psychological theories relating to motivation, mental resilience, and adaptability in the leadership of individuals and teams.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 360
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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