Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Human Movement & Nutrition Sci
This course aims to develop your training plan skills and in particular your management skills in relation to handling issues associated with concurrent training, prioritising modes of training in order to enhance performance, monitoring the impact of training and competition on athlete/s and providing appropriate feedback in order to maintain a continuous level of improvement. The continual demands of modern sport, particularly in relation to competition scheduling, means that training programs and loads need to be constantly adjusted to ensure athletes are able to adapt to and maintain or improve performance. The main objective of this course is to assist you in developing a training program management instrument which is dynamic and able to respond effectively to the dynamics of training elite athletes.
Course requirements
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
SPCG6028
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
SPCG7010
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to teach you to effectively plan the whole career of elite athletes in a way that is sensitive to the interactions and interdependencies of all of the various human “systems” and their resultant impact on performance. Within the course you will be exposed to some of the latest research around managing training loads for developing and high performance athletes. You will also be introduced to the concept of individualised, integrated, periodised training programs within the context of individual sports (squads) and team sports. As part of this learning process, students will be required to develop an understanding of spreadsheet formatting with links between the various components of training in order to develop a systematic training load and monitoring program.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Describe the characteristics of an elite performer within their chosen sport and outline some relevant strategies and concepts applicable to the design of a high performance program
LO2.
Conduct a performance review of a chosen athlete, team or position/discipline in order to identify key developmental interventions for high performance
LO3.
Design a training program which is individualised to meet the performance goals of the individual and reflects best practice in training principles
LO4.
Design an appropriate planning system using Microsoft Excel and use this system to prepare an annual training program which includes: o Individual goals o Training Session Plans o Microcycle and Macrocycle Plans o Identifies key competitions (peaking) and reflects an appropriate training phase design
LO5.
Design a comprehensive and useful electronic coaching tool for future use in the planning of training programs
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Sport Needs Analysis Assignment | 20% |
22/08/2025 5:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Training Monitoring and Design Assignment | 30% |
19/09/2025 5:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation | Annual Plan Assignment | 50% |
31/10/2025 5:00 pm |
Assessment details
Sport Needs Analysis Assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
22/08/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
This assignment requires students to analyse the demands of a their selected sport and athlete to inform program design. It includes a needs analysis and an evaluation of multidimensional skill development across physical, technical, tactical, and psychological domains.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Blackboard.
When submitting an assignment, remember to include a cover sheet, for example -
- Assessment Task: Sport Needs Analysis Assignment
- Course Title: Advanced Training Programs
- Course Code: SPCG7028
- Student Name: First Last
- Student Number: xxxxxxxxx
If students experience difficulties submitting assessment tasks, they should (by the due date/time):
- Email a copy of the assessment task to the Course Coordinator.
- Include a screenshot of the error message.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Training Monitoring and Design Assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
19/09/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L03
Task description
This assignment focuses on designing an evidence-based training and monitoring system tailored to your selected athlete or team. It includes a justification of monitoring tools and a practical application of key training principles based on the athlete’s developmental stage.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Blackboard.
When submitting an assignment, remember to include a cover sheet, for example -
- Assessment Task: Sport Needs Analysis Assignment
- Course Title: Advanced Training Programs
- Course Code: SPCG7028
- Student Name: First Last
- Student Number: xxxxxxxxx
If students experience difficulties submitting assessment tasks, they should (by the due date/time):
- Email a copy of the assessment task to the Course Coordinator.
- Include a screenshot of the error message.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Annual Plan Assignment
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
31/10/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This assignment requires you to design and present a complete annual training plan tailored to a specific athlete or team. It combines macrocycle, mesocycle, and microcycle planning with a screen-recorded video presentation that justifies your approach across the physical, technical, tactical, and psychological domains.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Blackboard.
When submitting an assignment, remember to include a cover sheet, for example -
- Assessment Task: Sport Needs Analysis Assignment
- Course Title: Advanced Training Programs
- Course Code: SPCG7028
- Student Name: First Last
- Student Number: xxxxxxxxx
If students experience difficulties submitting assessment tasks, they should (by the due date/time):
- Email a copy of the assessment task to the Course Coordinator.
- Include a screenshot of the error message.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fails to satisfy most or all of the basic requirements of the course: |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fails to satisfy some of the basic requirements of the course. Clear deficiencies in performance, but evidence that some basic requirements have been met |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Fails to satisfy all basic requirement for pass but is close to satisfactory overall and has compensating strengths in some aspects |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Satisfies all of the basic learning requirements for the course, such as knowledge of fundamental concepts and performance of basic skills; demonstrates sufficient quality of performance to be considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in the course |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates ability to use and apply fundamental concepts and skills of the course, going beyond mere replication of content knowledge or skill to show understanding of key ideas, awareness of their relevance, some use of analytical skills, and some originality or insight |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates awareness and understanding of deeper and subtler aspects of the course, such as ability to identify and debate critical issues or problems, ability to solve non-routine problems, ability to adapt and apply ideas to new situations, and ability to invent and evaluate new ideas |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates imagination, originality or flair, based on proficiency in all the learning objectives for the course; work is interesting, surprising, exciting, challenging or erudite |
Additional course grading information
A final percentage mark will be rounded to the nearest whole number (e.g. 64.50 and above will be rounded to 65 and 64.49 and below will be rounded down to 64.)
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
The tasks in the course have been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessments in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass these assessments, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Students are encouraged to contact their National Sporting Organisations in order to obtain sport specific resources including benchmarks in their High Performance and Developmental Programs. If available, students may also be able to access the parameters around the NSO national monitoring system (AMS) and individual performance plans (IPP)s. Please note: Students can either use these NSO templates for IPP's and the AMS within their own work, or develop their own documentation and rationale based on their own research or resources provided in the course learning activities.
Reading is major part of the learning process in this course. Only through extensive reading can students be adept in discussing the relevant issues and concepts at an informed level and then applying that information appropriately.
A number of readings have been provided which have been carefully selected to assist in the completion of each learning activity in the process of developing the whole of life and annual plan. As a result, there is no set textbook for this course.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Not Timetabled |
Athlete and sport profiling This module introduces the process of conducting a needs analysis by examining the demands of the sport and the characteristics of the athlete. It explores several frameworks of long-term athlete development and emphasises the importance of addressing physical, technical, tactical, and psychological domains. Coaches will learn to generate athlete profiles that inform targeted and developmentally appropriate training programs. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Not Timetabled |
Training design elements This module focuses on core training principles including overload, progression, frequency, and volume, and how they apply to different athlete populations. It also introduces systems for monitoring training and competition loads, combining internal and external load measures to support performance, manage fatigue, and guide training adjustments. Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Not Timetabled |
Applied planning and programming In the final module, coaches apply periodisation concepts to design integrated macro-, meso-, and microcycle plans across a full annual cycle. The module emphasises aligning programming decisions with performance objectives, phase-specific priorities, and athlete monitoring data, culminating in a comprehensive and practically justified annual training plan. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Additional learning activity information
Lecture videos and readings will be provided with each learning activity. Students are expected to research literature in order to garner evidence to support design and implementation of training plan.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: