Sport Methodology III - Exercise and Health

Code:

326

Acronym:

MESIII

Instance: 2025/2026 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Sports Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCD	38	First Degree in Sports Sciences (2011/2012)	3	-	10	120	270
		First Degree in Sports Sciences (2025/2026)	3	-	10	120	270

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This course aims to provide students with a solid and applied foundation in the field of Exercise and Health. Specifically, it seeks to:

1. Develop technical and pedagogical knowledge and skills related to professional practice in Exercise and Health;

2. Foster an understanding of the fundamental role of exercise and physical activity in promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing disease;

3. Equip students with the ability to promote exercise across various populations, considering their specific needs and contexts;

4. Familiarize students with the practices and requirements of activities carried out in community settings for older adults, in gyms and fitness centres, in outdoor environments and nature sports, and in adapted physical activity;

5. Enable students to plan, implement, and adapt teaching strategies appropriate to the different Internship Centres, taking into account variables such as age group, practice level, and activity objectives;

6. Encourage involvement in the organization and delivery of recreational sports and physical activity programmes across diverse settings and populations;

7. Promote the integration and practical application of knowledge acquired in Methodology I and II (Exercise and Health) within the Internship Centres.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a consolidated understanding of the principles of exercise and physical activity in health promotion;

• Apply appropriate strategies for the prescription and promotion of physical exercise in different populations and contexts;

• Plan, organize, and implement activities in community-based settings with older adults, in fitness centres, in the field of adapted physical activity, outdoor activities, and nature sports, effectively and safely;

• Adapt pedagogical approaches to the characteristics of participants, tailoring methodologies and content according to age groups and levels of practice;

• Solve practical problems related to professional practice in the Internship Centres, based on scientific and pedagogical knowledge;

• Collaborate effectively in the design and implementation of projects and activities in real-world intervention settings;

• Integrate and transfer the knowledge acquired in Methodology I and II to practical teaching and intervention scenarios in the field of Exercise and Health.

Working method

Presencial

Program

The course includes both a practical component – internship (6 hours) – and a theoretical component (2 hours).

The internship builds upon the work developed in the Methodology II course, including the continuation of the dossier preparation and the organization of an original activity.

Internship Centres:
– Exercise and Ageing
– Exercise in Fitness Centres
– Outdoor Activities (Surf and Climbing)
– Adapted Physical Activity

The theoretical component will address topics related to physical activity and health (in a seminar format) and will include monitoring of the activities carried out in the Internship Centres.

Mandatory literature

Welk Gregory J. 340; Physical activity assessements for health-related research. ISBN: 0-7360-3748-9
Rikli Roberta E.; Senior fitness test manual. ISBN: 0-7360-3356-4
American College of Sports Medicine; ACSM.s exercise management for persons with chronic diseases and disabilities. ISBN: 0-87322-798-0
American College of Sports Medicine; ACSM.s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. ISBN: 978-1-975219-20-8

Teaching methods and learning activities

The course adopts an active and experiential methodology, combining theoretical sessions in seminar format with a practical internship in the designated Internship Centres.

The theoretical sessions foster critical reflection on emerging topics in the field of Exercise and Health, incorporating guided discussions, case analyses, and participation in thematic presentations.

The practical internship constitutes the core of the learning process, enabling students to apply acquired knowledge in real-world intervention contexts involving diverse populations and settings.

Learning activities include the planning, implementation, and evaluation of physical activity sessions, the development of an individual internship portfolio, and the creation of an original activity, thereby promoting autonomy, responsibility, and the integration of theoretical and practical knowledge.

keywords

Social Sciences, Commerce and Law > Basic programmes
General programmes > Basic programmes
Social sciences
General programmes > Basic programmes > Basic programmes
Health sciences
General programmes > Basic programmes

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho de campo	50,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Defesa pública de dissertação, de relatório de projeto ou estágio, ou de tese	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	20,00
Estudo autónomo	30,00
Frequência das aulas	120,00
Realização de Estágio	100,00
Total:	270,00

Eligibility for exams

Continuous assessment without final exam. Evaluation through a digital portfolio and a written report.

Calculation formula of final grade

The practical component carried out in the Internship Centre accounts for 50% of the final grade for the course.

The written report prepared within the scope of the internship represents 20% of the final mark.

The oral presentation of the work developed during the internship will contribute 30% to the final assessment.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

In accordance with the University of Porto's Assessment Regulations, students holding worker-student status must contact the course instructor within the first two weeks of classes. This contact is essential to define, in coordination with the instructor, the specific terms of their assessment, taking into account the particular conditions associated with their status.

  

Classification improvement

There is no possibility to improve the grande of the internship (continuous assessment).

Observations

The number of available Internship Centres may vary depending on external logistical factors, established agreements with partner organizations, scheduling constraints, and other conditions.

Each Internship Centre has its own specific characteristics and requirements, highlighting the unique nature of each placement. Internship activities are expected to continue throughout school holidays and exam periods.

However, any adjustments to align the Internship Centre’s activities with FADEUP’s academic calendar (e.g., holiday periods) must be agreed upon in advance by the coordinator at the host organization and the course instructors at FADEUP.

Each Internship Centre entails a weekly workload of 6 hours. The scheduling of internship activities must be coordinated between the student, the host institution, and the course instructors to ensure compatibility with the student's academic commitments.

Students undertaking an internship are expected to fulfil all assigned duties, activities, and responsibilities with professionalism, punctuality, and commitment.