Outline

Overview

Athletic endeavours are often accompanied by sport-related injuries. This unit will provide students with an understanding of the complex and multifactorial nature of sports injuries as the keystone to establishing effective injury prevention programs. Key topics in this unit will provide an understanding of injury causation, of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors (such as training loads, overtraining, fatigue and wellness influences) and their inter-relationship and contribution to injury incident, and examine mechanisms leading to injury. This unit will present the fundamental aspects of injury epidemiology by exploring injury definitions, and the injury indices of type, location, mechanism, severity, and incidence. Injury surveillance paradigms and risk factor analyses and statistical methods will be investigated through analysing students own collected data or data from other sources. Injury management, recovery and prevention strategies will also be explored.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Movement Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	A minimum of 24 credit points
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Shane Ball, s.ball@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Richmond Saliba, richmond.saliba@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Sports Injury Project: Reflection Task Personal reflection of the injury project and peer review received	5%	Formal exam period Due date: 18 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 28 Nov 2025	150-200 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Sports Injury Project: Presentation Part B The presentation will be delivered in the timetabled tutorials in weeks 12 & 13	15%	Multiple weeks Due date: 06 Nov 2025 at 15:00	10 mins (8min + 2 min questions)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Evaluation	Sports Injury Project: Peer Review of Presentations Students, individually, will peer review group presentations	3%	Multiple weeks Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Nov 2025	3 questions	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Quiz - Early Feedback Quiz Canvas quiz covering content from weeks 1-3.	0%	Week 03 Due date: 21 Aug 2025 at 12:00	10 MCQ	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Injury Infographic Create an Infographic based on an injury paper or systematic review	22%	Week 05 Due date: 05 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 15 Sep 2025	Maximum 1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written test ?	Mid-semester Exam Lecture and tutorial content from Weeks 1-7 will be examined	25%	Week 08 Due date: 25 Sep 2025 at 12:00	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Sports Injury Project: Report Reported findings from data collected from an injury surveillance program	30%	Week 11 Due date: 22 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 01 Nov 2025	Maximum 2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Sports Injury Project: Presentation Part A PowerPoint slides that will be used for the presentation in Part B	0%	Week 12 Due date: 29 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 08 Nov 2025	10-12 PowerPoint slides	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Early feedback task: Students will complete a canvas quiz in week 3 during their lecture time.

Injury Infographic: Students will create an infographic based on a self-selected injury paper or systematic review

Mid-Semester Exam: Lecture and tutorial content from Weeks 1-7 will be examined by paper in a formal examination setting. The exam will comprise approximately 25% multiple choice questionbs 75% short answer questions.

Sports Injury Project: This project is conducted by a group of 3-4 students. Students will be allocated a sports case and required to design an injury surveillance program for their sport. Students will analyse data from their surveillance program and report and present their findings. All students within their group are expected to contribute equally to all components of the project, as determined by their Team Agreement. Non-contribution according to the Team Agreement will be deemed non-submission and therefore will result in an absent fail award for the group components of the project. Penalties will apply for limited or unequal contribution to group work. Groups that do not conduct the project will result in an absent fail award.

The components of this project include:

(a) Report: is a written report presenting the findings of the project.

(b) Presentation. Part A: the powerpoint slides for the presenation must be submitted on the due date regardless of the presentation day. Groups cannot undertake their presentation if the powerpoint slides are not submitted beforehand. Part B: presentation will be delivered in your timetabled tutorial session.

(c) Peer review of presentations (this is an individual student task). Students will provide a brief review of the other group presentations within their tutorial group, across weeks 12 and 13. Non completion will result in an absent fail award.

(d) Reflection task (this is an individual student task). Non completion will result in an absent fail award.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

ALL assessments must be submitted to be eligible to pass this unit of study (except for the early feedback task). If any assessment is not submitted, an absent fail grade (AF) will be awarded for this unit.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.
Absent fail	0 - 49	When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59 pm on the specified due dates. Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. Note: The penalty for late submission of the PowerPoint presentations will be applied to the overall presentation mark.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Sport Injury Epidemiology and Mechanisms	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to Sport Injury Epidemiology and Mechanisms. Introduction to Group Project	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Injury Epidemiology, Injury Metrics and Calculations	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Injury Epidemiology, Injury Metrics and Calculations. Injury Infographic Project	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Risk factor analyses. Injury Surveillance Technology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Injury Risk Factors 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Injury Risk Factors	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Injury Risk Factors 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Injury Risk Factors 3	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Group Project Progress Review 1	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Injury Mechanisms	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Mid-semester Review and Exam Preparation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Injury Management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Group Project Progress Review 2	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Injury Rehabilitation and Return to Play	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Injury Management, Rehabilitation and Return to Play	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Injury Prevention	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Injury Epidemiology and Mechanisms in High Performance Sport: Real-World Insights from the Field	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Sports Injury Project Group Presentations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Sports Injury Project Group Presentations	Tutorial (1 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is a Recommended Reading List in Canvas which will be updated throughout the semester.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Discuss intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors associated with sports injuries in specific sport contexts
LO2. Critically evaluate internal and external measures of training load, overtraining, fatigue and sleep measures and their association with sporting injuries
LO3. Analyse sport contexts associated with injury types and their associated mechanisms
LO4. Critically evaluate injury definitions with associated problems and components of an effective injury surveillance paradigm
LO5. Calculate and use injury epidemiology metrics and appropriate risk factor analyses
LO6. Apply an injury surveillance strategy in a sporting context
LO7. Report on injury surveillance to sport stakeholders

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Accredited Exercise Physiologist Professional Standards - 3.3.6. Recognise, interpret, revise and demonstrate in client-centred, multi-disciplinary care models, responses to changing risk factors, safety factors and clinical situations before, during and after assessments and exercise (including first-aid response), for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - 1.2.2. Support clients to meet their goals through the integration and application of the exercise science sub-discipline standards. 1.2.6. Identify risks and apply appropriate risk management strategies to the professional practice of exercise science.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - 1.2.1. Apply knowledge and skills in a variety of professional exercise science work settings. 1.2.2. Support clients to meet their goals through the integration and application of the exercise science sub-discipline standards. 4.2.7. Identify, interpret, report and take appropriate action regarding adverse signs and symptoms that may arise during exercise, sport and recovery.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - 1.2.6. Identify risks and apply appropriate risk management strategies to the professional practice of exercise science.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - 1.2.4. Practice with integrity within the scope of training for an Exercise Scientist and the ESSA Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice. 14.2.5. Select and apply basic data analysis techniques appropriate to exercise science subdisciplines.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - 14.2.3. Appraise research methods and reports, including statistical results to understand methodological and ethical aspects of research, and integrate this knowledge into all areas of exercise science practice. 14.2.4. Cite the research of others in written and oral communication

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Feedback from the 2024 USS for this unit of study has been considered for the 2025 iteration. Changes have been made to the group assessments to ensure clarity in student expectations and marking criteria. Lecture and tutorial order has been adjusted to align better with the mid-semester exam and final assessments.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EXSS2039: Sport Injury Epidemiology and Mechanisms

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links