Sport Science

Examination Board: OCR
Specification Name: Level 1/2 Cambridge National in Sport Science
Link: Sport Science

Students who opt for PE take the OCR Level 1/2 Cambridge National in Sport Science.

Sport science helps students to understand that sports performance goes far beyond just the simple physical movements of the human body. They develop skills that are relevant to the exercise, physical activity, sport and health sector and more widely.

For example, students learn how to take part in physical activity in ways that keep them safe, how to react if and when injuries happen and how to recognise common medical conditions.

As a vocational qualification, this Cambridge National helps students develop learning and practical skills that can be applied to real-life contexts and work situations.

Units of work

Reducing the risk of sports injuries and dealing with common medical conditions

This unit is assessed by an exam.

By completing this unit you will prepare as a participant to take part in physical activity in a way which minimises the risk of injuries occurring. It will also prepare you to know how to react to common injuries that can occur during sport and physical activity, and how to recognise the symptoms of some common medical conditions.

Topics include:

• Different factors which influence the risk and severity of injury
• Warm-up and cool-down routines
• Different types and causes of sports injuries
• Reducing risk, treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries and medical conditions
• Causes, symptoms and treatment of medical conditions

Applying the principles of training: Fitness and how it affects skill performance

This is assessed by a set assignment. By completing this unit, you will conduct a range of fitness tests, understand what they test and their advantages and disadvantages. You will also learn how to design, plan and evaluate a fitness training programme. You will then interpret the data collected from these fitness tests and learn how best to feed this back.

Topics include:

• Components of fitness applied in sport
• Principles of training in sport
• Organising and planning a fitness training programme
• Evaluate own performance in planning and delivery of a fitness training programme.

Nutrition and sports performance

This is assessed by a set assignment. By completing this unit you will gain understanding of healthy, balanced nutrition. You will consider the necessity of certain nutrients and their role in enabling effective performance in different sporting activities. The knowledge you gain will be used to produce an appropriate, effective nutrition plan for a performer.

Topics include:

• Nutrients needed for a healthy, balanced nutrition plan
• Applying differing dietary requirements to varying types of sporting activity
• Developing a balanced nutrition plan for a selected sporting activity
• How nutritional behaviours can be managed to improve sports performance