Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Medicine

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide the Clinician with a specialised skill-set in the field of clinical sport and exercise medicine and for them to be able to integrate this knowledge and skill-set into the practice of medicine, to be able design and formulate appropriate exercise interventions for lifestyle related disease and injury management.

On the completion of this qualification, a qualified learner would

• Have a thorough understanding of the effects of physical activity on the human body and mind and to implement the knowledge into the management of common medical problems in physically active individuals.
• Have the requisite knowledge to prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries and other medical problems arising from exercise and sport.
• Have the requisite knowledge to assist in the construction of rehabilitation programmes for those suffering from various chronic illnesses related to lifestyle factors; promote the physical health, well-being and productivity of the community.
• Have the requisite knowledge of research methodology, including statistics and critical scientific thinking to enable the candidate to create, critically appraise and construct a research project and dissertation.

Rationale

Sport and Exercise Medicine is defined as the discipline within medicine that concerns itself with the following

• The prevention, diagnosis, clinical biomechanics, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries sustained through physical activity and sport.
• The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical conditions related to participation in sport and exercise.
• The prevention, and rehabilitation of chronic medical conditions using exercise as a therapeutic tool.

Sport and Exercise Medicine is the newest emerging medical specialty within South Africa. It has been approved as a specialty by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa and is awaiting final ratification and registration by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. This emerging specialty is seen as important in the South African context for two reasons. Firstly, Sport and Exercise Medicine has an important role to play in the fight to prevent and manage the burden of chronic non-communicable disease. Secondly, the South African population places a high priority on the ability of sport to unite the nation through high performance sport. Sport and Exercise Medicine plays and important role in ensuring peak performances through keeping both competitive and recreational athletes healthy through injury prevention and protection of health of the athlete programmes.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification conforms to the institution's Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) as well as the ARPL policy of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The policy defines the process that must be followed in the assessment of an application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at Postgraduate level and provides information pertaining to assessment tools that can be used in the assessment of RPL applications. The APRL process is subjected to the Faculty's quality assurance process. Unsuccessful applicants may appeal according to the relevant appeal procedures as stated in the University's General Calendar Part.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for access to this qualification is a

• An (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) qualification.

And

• Be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Practitioner.

And

• Have at least one year experience after community service as a Medical Practitioner.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Modules

• Basic Sciences in Sport and Exercise Medicine, 30 Credits.
• Exercise Related Injuries, 45 Credits.
• General Sport and Exercise Medicine, 45 Credits.
• Research Assignment, 60 Credits.

1. Prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries and other medical problems arising from exercise and sport.
2. Assist in the rehabilitation of those suffering from various chronic illnesses related to lifestyle factors; promote the physical health, well-being and productivity of the community.
3. Understand the effects of physical activity on the human physiology, anatomy and pathology as it applies to sport and exercise.
4. Apply knowledge of these sciences to the management of common medical problems in physically active individuals.
5. Understand research methodology in order to do a research assignment.
6. Integrate knowledge into appropriate clinical applications.
7. Identify complex problems and solve problems through critical and innovative thinking, be responsible and display independent decision-making, and apply advanced scientific methods.
8. Efficiently and responsibly apply advanced scientific methods and technology.
9. Efficiently manage the collection, organisation, analysis, evaluation, integration and application of information from various sources.
10. Demonstrate efficient personal organisation and self-management to ensure independence at an advanced level.
11. Demonstrate personal self-development with emphasis on insight, responsibility, accountability, continued learning, self-criticism, acceptance of criticism from others, and the ability to work independently.
12. Work as part of a team and add value to the larger group through constructive collaboration, cooperation and self-initiated new actions.
13. Effectively communicate through presentation of information and data by means of oral, audiovisual and written skills and demonstrate appropriate graphical, statistical, linguistic and computer proficiency.
14. Develop and demonstrate a holistic approach to problem solving within the context of respect and sensitivity for other people, the community, and the environment.
15. Understand the importance and the potential applications of health sciences in general and Sport Exercise Medicine in particular to the community through the communication of knowledge and results and the transfer of relevant learning.
16. Demonstrate familiarity with the opportunities, challenges, requirements and ethical principles that apply to research and good practice in the health science professions advanced level.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:

• Provide a specialist level of medical expertise in the assessment, prescription and supervision of lifestyle and exercise programmes for individuals with chronic disease of lifestyle.
• Provide a specialist level of medical expertise in the assessment, prescription and supervision of lifestyle and exercise programmes in specific groups (including children, pregnancy, elderly, and individuals with disabilities).
• Provide expertise to the value of exercise and lifestyle modification in the general population.
• Provide a specialist level of medical expertise in the prevention, diagnosis and management of exercise related medical conditions.
• Provide a specialist level of medical and administrative services to sporting teams (recreational to professional).
• Provide a specialist level of medical and administrative services to sporting organisations and teams including team travel (including school, club, provincial and national).
• Provide a specialist level of medical and administrative services to organisers of specific sporting events (local, provincial, and national) (e.g. marathons, community fun-runs, sports tournaments, provincial and national level sporting events, Olympic, Commonwealth and Masters Games).
• Provide a specialist level of medical and administrative expertise to national and state academies of sport.
• Provide a specialist level of medical services to specific cultural organisations (e.g. dance and ballet companies, circus groups).
• Provide medical and administrative expertise to governmental bodies such as the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport.
• Provide medical expertise to state and related non-governmental organisations (including the Defence Forces, Police, Fire Services).
• Provide medico-legal expertise in appropriate circumstances relating to Sport and Exercise Medicine.
• Independently design a research project, to obtain ethical approval, obtain funding, perform such a project, present the results and conclusions in a scientific format, and accept the responsibility and accountability for the performed work within the context of Sport Exercise Management.
• Demonstrate an understanding of sound and systematic knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the subject matter as defined for the selected research project.
• Work independently on assignments and research projects, which require appropriate theoretical and practical skills.
• Critically evaluate and utilise a wide range of basic and complex information to solve problems effectively using appropriate methods that are relevant to Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and communicate knowledge, findings and potential implications to other people.

Integrated Assessment

Sciences

In the first year of study, materials from all the sciences are covered. This includes exercise physiology, biochemistry, applied anatomy, biomechanics, pathology and pharmacology, and research methodology.

Year Mark

During the first year of study, one multiple choice/short question class test and between 2 and 4 assignments (oral seminar presentations with peer review and written assignments) make up the year mark (30% of the final mark for this module).

Written Examinations

At the end of the first year, written examinations (two multiple choice/short question papers) are completed which make up 70% of the final mark for the Sciences modules. Learners are admitted to the second year of study only if the final mark is 50% or more.

Year Mark

The year mark for each module (exercise-related injuries and general sport and exercise medicine, is made up from the following marks:

• Marks obtained for the class test (one multiple choice/short question paper written in Jul/July of the second year).
• Written assignments and an oral seminar presentation with peer review during the first and second visits of the second year.

The year mark contributes 30% towards the final mark for the exercise-related injuries and general sport and exercise medicine modules.

Written examinations

In October/November of the second year, a multiple-choice question paper is written for each of the modules (exercise-related injuries and general sport and exercise medicine) contributing 30% to the final mark. Class tests will be internally moderated whilst examinations will be both internally and externally moderated.

Clinical Examinations (to assess experiential learning)

In October/November of the second year, a clinical examination (clinical cases) and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is conducted which contributes 40% toward the final mark for each of these modules. These examinations will be both internally and externally moderated. Learners are required to obtain 50% or more for each component of the clinical examination (clinical cases and OSCE).

Research Assignment

The dissertation is examined by two examiners (1 internal and 1 external). Learners are required to pass the research assignment with 50% or more to successfully complete this qualification.