Outline

Overview

This subject deals with the physiology and psychology of training and testing in sports and provides students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Special attention will be given to different sport types and their specific demands. Fundamental questions concerning the nature of the training stimulus, determinants of success in sports, physiological testing batteries, training thresholds, and important aspects of testing and training such as the critical power model of intensity and force-velocity relationships will be investigated. Current methods used to evaluate the different physiological characteristics involved in sport performance will be studied: aerobic power and capacity, anaerobic power and capacity, muscular strength and maximal power output. Concurrently, psychological impacts of sport performance/assessment will be examined and practically applied. Learning activities include the use of didactic lecture content from the unit coordinators and guest lecturers and practical classes aimed at gathering experience with physiological and psychological assessments in the applied sport science setting. Upon the completion of the unit, students should be able to provide consultancy within a sub-elite sport science setting.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Movement Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	EXSS2032 or EXSS2034 or EXSS1040
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Shaun Abbott, shaun.abbott@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s)	James Smallcombe, james.smallcombe@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Shaun Abbott, shaun.abbott@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Kotryna Lewis, kotryna.lewis@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 exam ?	Final Examination Traditional Pen and Paper Exam on content from Weeks 8-13.	35%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Online Quizzes Three Canvas quizzes worth 5% each in weeks 3, 5 and 7.	15%	Multiple weeks	10 questions per quiz	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Case Study Report Group report on the athlete case study, comprising physiological and psychological aspects of performance.	30%	Week 10 Due date: 19 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 29 Oct 2025	5 pages plus references and appendices	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Case Study Interview Individual Interview based on the case study report submitted for Assignment 2. Each student will be allocated a time slot on Mon, Oct 20, or Wed, Oct 22, with the exact date and time advised in due course.	20%	Week 11 Due date: 22 Oct 2025 at 18:00	8 minutes of questions and answers.	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1 - Online Quizzes (15%): This assessment includes three (3) online quizzes based on lecture and practical content. Quiz 1 covers material from weeks 1-3, Quiz 2 covers material from weeks 4-5 and Quiz 3 covers material from weeks 6-7. All quizzes will consist of multiple-choice or multiple-answer questions only. All students must submit/attempt at least one (1) online quiz out of three (3) to obtain an overall unit grade. Students who do not submit/attempt a minimum of one (1) online quiz out of three (3) will receive a unit 'Absent Fail' mark.
Assessment 2 - Case Study Report (30%): This assessment is a group report that requires students to conduct a needs analysis based on one of the provided case studies, select a physiological test and a psychological factor and/or strategy, justify selections with evidence, and provide recommendations for future training. Details related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) use in this assessment can be found on the EXSS3040 Canvas site. All students must attempt and make a reasonable contribution to this assessment task to be eligible to pass the unit. A non-submission/attempt will result in a unit 'Absent Fail' mark.
Assessment 3 - Case Study Interview (20%): This is an in-person individual oral interview based on the Case Study Report submitted for Assessment 2. Each student is required to answer questions about the submitted group case study report to show their in-depth understanding of the athlete needs and unit content. All students must attempt this assessment task to be eligible to pass the unit. A non-attempt/attendance will result in a unit 'Absent Fail' mark.
Assessment 4 - Final Exam (35%): The final exam encompasses all content taught during the semester from weeks 8-13 (including lectures and practicals). This exam will be a traditional pen-and-paper examination. All students must attempt this assessment task to be eligible to pass the unit. A non-submission/attempt will result in a unit 'Absent Fail' mark.

Assessment Submission Requirements: As per unit of study rules, a submission attempt at each assessment task listed is required to receive a pass or higher grade. If one or more assessment tasks are not attempted, an Absent Fail (AF) grade will be awarded. In other words, students cannot attain an overall unit percentage and attainment grade if they have not submitted in one (or more) of the unit assessments. Within the group assessment dynamic, an AF grade can be awarded to individual members of a group if there is sufficient evidence that the group member did not contribute to a satisfactory level.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on the EXSS3040 Canvas site.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

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 https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.html

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:

As per university policy, detailed information related to late and other penalties can be found on the unit of study Canvas site.

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	Lecture 1: Part 1 - Evaluating Physiological Needs & Testing Concepts; Part 2 - Evaluating Psychological Needs & Testing Concepts	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Lecture 2: Psychological Strategies for the Sports Scientist	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Lecture 3: Part 1 - Physiology of Technical Sports; Part 2 - Psychology of Technical Sports	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Lecture 4: Part 1 - Physiology of Explosive Sports; Part 2 - Psychology of Explosive Sports	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Lecture 5: Part 1 - Physiology of Team Sports; Part 2 - Psychology of Team Sports	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Practical 1: Physiological Assessment & Psychological Impacts for the Explosive Athlete	Practical (2 hr)
Week 06	Lecture 6: Part 1: Part 1 - Physiology of Individual Intermittent Sports; Part 2 - Psychology of Individual Intermittent Sports	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Practical 2: Physiological Assessment & Psychological Impacts for the Team Sport Athlete - Field-Based Match-Play	Practical (2 hr)
Week 07	Lecture 7: Part 1: Part 1 - Physiology of Endurance Sports; Part 2 - Psychology of Endurance Sports	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Practical 3: Physiological Assessment & Psychological Impacts for the Individual Intermittent Sport Athlete - Repeated Efforts & the Fatigue Index	Practical (2 hr)
Week 08	Lecture 8: Part 1 - Physiology of Classification-Based Sports; Part 2 - Psychology of Classification-Based Sports	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Practical 4: Physiological & Psychological Impacts for the Endurance Athlete - AIS Cycling Power-Profile Test	Practical (2 hr)
Week 10	Lecture 9: Assessing Physiological (Part 1) & Psychological (Part 2) Return to Sport Readiness	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Practical 5: Assessing Performance in Classification-Based Sports	Practical (2 hr)
Week 11	Lecture 10: Part 1 - Measuring External Load with GPS technology; Part 2 - Examining External Load Data	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Lecture 11: Part 1: Thresholds, Critical Power, W’ & W-Balance; Part 2: The Load-Velocity Relationship	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Practical 6: Workload Monitoring using GPS Technology	Practical (2 hr)
Week 13	Lecture 12: Part 1 - Environmental Stress & Athletic Performance; Part 2 - Review Session	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Practical 7: Assessment & Physiological Analysis of Critical Power, W’ & W’-Balance Model of Performance	Practical (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture Attendance: The lecture sessions are delivered (in-person) on campus and scheduled to occur before practical activities. Only lectures will be recorded from the live delivery.

Practical Class Attendance: The practical classes start from Week 5 and are held across Susan Wakil Health Building and Sydney University Sport and Fitness facilities depending on the practical lesson and week. Practical attendance is strongly recommended. Attendance is required to complete and understand practical tasks. Content from practical classes will be assessed as part of quizzes, submitted work, and the final exam. There will also be time allocated during some practical classes which will allow students to plan and discuss the case study group report assessment.

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

See Reading List within the EXSS3040 Canvas site.

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Understand the physiological and psychological basis of testing and training specific domains of athletic performance
LO2. Analyse how the body adapts to a training stimulus
LO3. Develop appropriate testing and training protocols, based on accurate needs analyses, to assess and improve the performance of athletic individuals
LO4. Evaluate the impact of environmental conditions on the body’s ability to perform exercise.

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

Responding to student feedback

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

In S2 2025, in-semester quizzes have been revised to enhance earlier feedback opportunities. Practical sessions have been revised and restructured to prioritise time to consolidate activities performed with lecture content and provide assessment task clarity. A Week 13 review session has also been scheduled.

Additional information

This unit of study may require you to attend a teaching activity timetabled in teaching venues installed with the University’s Clinical Recording and Observation System (CROS) in the Susan Wakil Health Building. Students should be aware of the privacy and information management implications of this system. For more information, please refer to the University’s Privacy Statement.

Work, health and safety

Students are to adhere to current policies and procedures associated with on-campus practical and lecture classes including, but not limited to, checking in with QR codes, wearing PPE and physical distancing between class members.

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

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

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EXSS3040: Assessment of High-Performance Athletes

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

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

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

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links