IDR424 Developing Sports Expertise (Autumn 2021)

Knowledge

The student

• demonstrates advanced knowledge and specialized insights into theories, concepts and issues related to sports expertise
• has in-depth knowledge of factors of importance for the development of sports expertise
• has in-depth knowledge of current academic issues related to sports expertise and ethical aspects of top sports based on scientific theories and methods

Skills

The student demonstrates an ability to:

• analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations in the field of sports expertise
• analyze and critically assess various sources of information and use these to structure and formulate professional reasoning in the field of sports expertise
• critically assess and apply research and development work in the field of sports expertise in an independent manner

General competence

The student demonstrates an ability to:

• analyze relevant academic and research ethical issues within sports expertise
• provide independent research and development work at a high academic level
• communicate academic issues within the field of sporting expertise to various target groups
• contribute to new-thinking and innovation in the field of sports expertise

The content of this course will be centered on current issues related to the development of sports expertise. Both psychosocial and physical skills, including technical and tactical aspects, will be central themes. In addition, the teaching will be related to how individuals and teams can develop and perform in sports, how to prepare for the best possible conditions around training and competition, as well as relevant issues in sports expertise and ethical aspects of top level sports.

Main themes:

• Talent identification and talent development
• Planning training for performance development
• Training and optimization of physical skills
• Coaching performance groups
• Group dynamics and performance cultures in sports
• Tension regulation in sports
• Performance nutrition and methods of restitution
• Energy availability and body composition
• Ethics in top level sports

Written individual assignment (subject article) based on a syllabus-relevant topic. Assessed to pass / fail.

Conference contribution: Students will plan and conduct a conference where each student will give an oral presentation followed by questions from opponents and other audience members who are mainly undergraduate students and lecturers in sports. The presentation is assessed to pass / fail.