An investigation of sport and exercise courses in the south-west in relation to public health

Hartley, Craig (2010) An investigation of sport and exercise courses in the south-west in relation to public health. Masters thesis, University of Gloucestershire.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the public health training offered by undergraduate sport and exercise courses in the South-West region. The study was on behalf of the South-West Teaching Public Health Network (SWTPHN) based on the premise that the information gained will assist in the development of sport and exercise students capable of contributing to the public health workforce. This will expand the public health workforce by training students from subjects allied to health. The study applied a mixed methods approach involving questionnaires and focus groups. The questionnaires were used to gain the views of programme leaders on the public health content of sport and exercise courses, while the focus groups were used to consult students. Questionnaires were distributed to sixty-three programme leaders, with twenty-five responding. This represented a response rate of 39.7%. Twelve students participated in the focus groups from six of the seven universities in the South-West that offer sport and exercise courses. The results of the questionnaires and focus groups showed that sport and exercise courses have a role in providing students with the appropriate public health knowledge and skills that can be applied in industry. They also showed that most public health competencies were taught to students on the majority of sport and exercise courses. Students also indicated that they would benefit from an introductory public health module at the beginning of their courses to help them make informed choices on additional optional public health modules. The author recommends the inclusion of seven core public health competencies on appropriate sport and exercise courses. These include: tackling social exclusion; behaviour change theory; identifying, monitoring and evaluating public health issues; identifying and working with high risk individuals/population groups; a critical understanding of public health; a population perspective; and an understanding of the role of the sport and exercise industry in public health. These should be included in an introductory module at the beginning of sport and exercise courses, followed by additional optional modules including work placements if appropriate. Future SWTPHN research should seek to confirm these public health competencies through consultation with industry experts and programme leaders. Research should also consult programme leaders on the incorporation of these recommendations on sport and exercise courses.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Additional Information:	A print copy of this thesis is available for reference use only.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Public health training; Undergraduate student trainers; South-West England
Related URLs:	Organisation
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine > RA773 Personal health and hygiene including clothing, bathing, exercise, travel, nutrition, sleep, sex hygiene
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Applied Sciences
Depositing User:	Susan Turner
Date Deposited:	11 Jan 2022 13:50
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2023 09:10
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/10557

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