What does the qualification cover?

The Award gives the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. The main focus is on the knowledge and understanding of skills in health, fitness, activity and sport. 

• Knowledge of the body systems, common sports injuries and technological advances that impact on sport and activity

• Key skills that support their theoretical understanding of the training, nutrition and psychological factors that influence and impact on engagement in sport and activity

What can the qualification lead to?

The subject is broad so will prepare students for further study in a variety of subjects from Psychology to Biology and from Physics to Sociology. As well as leading to further study at Key Stage 5, a qualification in BTEC Sport is the perfect preparation for careers in coaching, primary and secondary school teaching, diet and nutrition, physiotherapy and sports consultancy as well as the ever increasing health and fitness industry. 

BTEC Sport would be helpful for those looking at careers in the police force, paramedics and the military but the analytical skills developed are often as important as the physical ones, so knowledge of leadership, team dynamics, information processing, creativity and communication would be desirable in a multitude of business environments.

Component 1: Understand the Body and the Supporting Technology for Sport and Activity

Assessment type: Internal

Guided learning hours: 36

Component in brief - explore body systems, common sports injuries and technological advances that impact on sport and activity.

It is important to have a healthy body if you want to be successful in sport and activities.

This component focuses on the impact of sport and activity on the body systems, giving you the fundamental underpinning knowledge for study in this sector.

In this component, you will explore how technology and injury prevention can promote and support engagement in sport and activity. You will study the ways in which the body systems are working constantly, and that it is through engagement in sport and activity that we can enhance our health.

You will also explore how engagement in sport and activity can result in injury to the musculoskeletal system, and you will develop an understanding of the causes of injury, treatment and rehabilitation.

Technological advances have influenced sport and activity. Technology can be used as a tool to enhance participation in sport and activity as well as aid rehabilitation. This component investigates the benefits that technological advances have created in the sector and the potential limitations that it may still have.

This component will develop transferable skills such as research and analytical skills, and will give you opportunities to develop skills in the different technology used in sport and activity, which will support your progression to Level 2 or 3 vocational or academic qualifications.

Learning aims

A Investigate the impact of sport and activity on the body systems

B Explore common injuries in sport and activity and methods of rehabilitation

C Understand the use of technology for sport and activity.

 

Component 2: The Principles of Training, Nutrition and Psychology for Sport and Activity

Component in brief - explore how training, nutrition and psychological factors contribute to engagement in sport and activity.

Understanding the mind of a person is essential if you want to engage them in practical activities.

The body and the mind are equally important in ensuring that participants take part in sport and activity and continue to do so.

In this component, you will develop knowledge and understanding of the factors that contribute to improved fitness for sport and activity, the importance of a healthy diet and the psychological factors, so that you are able to apply knowledge. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of fitness testing and learn how to improve fitness using knowledge of methods of training, FITT principles and principles of training. You will be able to apply this knowledge and understanding to sport and activity situations.

You will explore the importance of macronutrients, micronutrients and hydration. This will help you to suggest realistic improvements that help participants to eat well and to optimise their fitness and health. You will develop an understanding of how motivation, self-confidence and anxiety can affect participant engagement in sport and activity.

You will develop transferable skills such as data interpretation, rationalising recommendations and decision making. These skills can help you to progress to Level 2 or 3 vocational or academic qualifications.

Summary of assessment

This component is assessed through a written assessment set and marked by Pearson. The external assessment will be 1 hour and 30 minutes in length.

The number of marks for the assessment is 70. The paper will contain a number of short- and extended-answer questions that will assess learners’ understanding of the training, nutrition and psychological factors that contribute to participant engagement in sport and activity.

The assessment availability is twice a year in February and May/June. The first assessment availability is May/June 2019.

Sample assessment materials will be available to help centres prepare learners for assessment.

Assessment objectives

AO1 Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of training to improve fitness, nutrition and psychological influences

AO2 Demonstrate understanding of training to improve fitness, nutrition and psychological influences when applying to sport and activity

AO3 Analyse and evaluate data and information in relation to fitness, nutrition and psychological influences when applying to sport and activity

 

Component 3: Applying the Principles of Sport and Activity

Component in brief - study the attributes of a successful sports leader and the physical and psychological benefits for the people taking part in their sessions. Learners will then plan and lead an engaging activity session.

Leading an effective and engaging activity session can promote lifelong activity. Understanding the theory behind how to be a successful sports leader will give you a solid base to lead sessions that meet a variety of needs of others.

In this component, you will develop knowledge of the attributes of successful sports leaders. You will then explore the physical and psychological benefits that you could experience when taking part in leadership sessions. To understand the benefits that participants could experience from your session, you will need to draw on the information you have learned on training principles, body systems and psychological influences.

You will develop an understanding of the different target groups that can access activity sessions and the type of sessions that are appropriate for each group. The skills you have developed in writing a fitness improvement plan will be essential in planning an effective sport and physical activity session. You will look at how leaders can motivate participants when planning and delivering sport and activity for target groups. You will deliver your planned session and provide a review of your leadership skills. The review will be based on whether you met the physical and psychological needs of your chosen group. You will identify your leadership strengths and areas for improvement, and suggest improvements for future practice.

This component will give you an understanding of how sports leaders can provide appropriate activities for selected target groups. You will develop transferable skills such as communication, planning and organisation, which will support your progression to Level 2 or 3 vocational or academic qualifications.

Learning aims

A Understand the fundamentals of sport and activity leadership

B Planning sessions for target groups

C Delivering and reviewing sessions for target groups.