SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Medicine

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
102063	Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Medicine
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Preventive Health
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Not Applicable	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the Clinician with a specialised skill-set in the field of clinical sport and exercise medicine and for them to be able to integrate this knowledge and skill-set into the practice of medicine, to be able design and formulate appropriate exercise interventions for lifestyle related disease and injury management.

On the completion of this qualification, a qualified learner would:

Have a thorough understanding of the effects of physical activity on the human body and mind and to implement the knowledge into the management of common medical problems in physically active individuals.

Have the requisite knowledge to prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries and other medical problems arising from exercise and sport.

Have the requisite knowledge to assist in the construction of rehabilitation programmes for those suffering from various chronic illnesses related to lifestyle factors; promote the physical health, well-being and productivity of the community.

Have the requisite knowledge of research methodology, including statistics and critical scientific thinking to enable the candidate to create, critically appraise and construct a research project and dissertation.

Rationale:
Sport and Exercise Medicine is defined as the discipline within medicine that concerns itself with the following:

The prevention, diagnosis, clinical biomechanics, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries sustained through physical activity and sport.

The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical conditions related to participation in sport and exercise.

The prevention, and rehabilitation of chronic medical conditions using exercise as a therapeutic tool.

Sport and Exercise Medicine is the newest emerging medical specialty within South Africa. It has been approved as a specialty by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa and is awaiting final ratification and registration by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. This emerging specialty is seen as important in the South African context for two reasons. Firstly, Sport and Exercise Medicine has an important role to play in the fight to prevent and manage the burden of chronic non-communicable disease. Secondly, the South African population places a high priority on the ability of sport to unite the nation through high performance sport. Sport and Exercise Medicine plays and important role in ensuring peak performances through keeping both competitive and recreational athletes healthy through injury prevention and protection of health of the athlete programmes.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This qualification conforms to the institution's Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) as well as the ARPL policy of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The policy defines the process that must be followed in the assessment of an application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at Postgraduate level and provides information pertaining to assessment tools that can be used in the assessment of RPL applications. The APRL process is subjected to the Faculty's quality assurance process. Unsuccessful applicants may appeal according to the relevant appeal procedures as stated in the University's General Calendar Part.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for access to this qualification is a:

An (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) qualification.
And

Be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Practitioner.
And

Have at least one year experience after community service as a Medical Practitioner.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Modules:

Basic Sciences in Sport and Exercise Medicine, 30 Credits.

Exercise Related Injuries, 45 Credits.

General Sport and Exercise Medicine, 45 Credits.

Research Assignment, 60 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries and other medical problems arising from exercise and sport.
2. Assist in the rehabilitation of those suffering from various chronic illnesses related to lifestyle factors; promote the physical health, well-being and productivity of the community.
3. Understand the effects of physical activity on the human physiology, anatomy and pathology as it applies to sport and exercise.
4. Apply knowledge of these sciences to the management of common medical problems in physically active individuals.
5. Understand research methodology in order to do a research assignment.
6. Integrate knowledge into appropriate clinical applications.
7. Identify complex problems and solve problems through critical and innovative thinking, be responsible and display independent decision-making, and apply advanced scientific methods.
8. Efficiently and responsibly apply advanced scientific methods and technology.
9. Efficiently manage the collection, organisation, analysis, evaluation, integration and application of information from various sources.
10. Demonstrate efficient personal organisation and self-management to ensure independence at an advanced level.
11. Demonstrate personal self-development with emphasis on insight, responsibility, accountability, continued learning, self-criticism, acceptance of criticism from others, and the ability to work independently.
12. Work as part of a team and add value to the larger group through constructive collaboration, cooperation and self-initiated new actions.
13. Effectively communicate through presentation of information and data by means of oral, audiovisual and written skills and demonstrate appropriate graphical, statistical, linguistic and computer proficiency.
14. Develop and demonstrate a holistic approach to problem solving within the context of respect and sensitivity for other people, the community, and the environment.
15. Understand the importance and the potential applications of health sciences in general and Sport Exercise Medicine in particular to the community through the communication of knowledge and results and the transfer of relevant learning.
16. Demonstrate familiarity with the opportunities, challenges, requirements and ethical principles that apply to research and good practice in the health science professions advanced level.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:

Provide a specialist level of medical expertise in the assessment, prescription and supervision of lifestyle and exercise programmes for individuals with chronic disease of lifestyle.

Provide a specialist level of medical expertise in the assessment, prescription and supervision of lifestyle and exercise programmes in specific groups (including children, pregnancy, elderly, and individuals with disabilities).

Provide expertise to the value of exercise and lifestyle modification in the general population.

Provide a specialist level of medical expertise in the prevention, diagnosis and management of exercise related medical conditions.

Provide a specialist level of medical and administrative services to sporting teams (recreational to professional).

Provide a specialist level of medical and administrative services to sporting organisations and teams including team travel (including school, club, provincial and national).

Provide a specialist level of medical and administrative services to organisers of specific sporting events (local, provincial, and national) (e.g. marathons, community fun-runs, sports tournaments, provincial and national level sporting events, Olympic, Commonwealth and Masters Games).

Provide a specialist level of medical and administrative expertise to national and state academies of sport.

Provide a specialist level of medical services to specific cultural organisations (e.g. dance and ballet companies, circus groups).

Provide medical and administrative expertise to governmental bodies such as the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport.

Provide medical expertise to state and related non-governmental organisations (including the Defence Forces, Police, Fire Services).

Provide medico-legal expertise in appropriate circumstances relating to Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Independently design a research project, to obtain ethical approval, obtain funding, perform such a project, present the results and conclusions in a scientific format, and accept the responsibility and accountability for the performed work within the context of Sport Exercise Management.

Demonstrate an understanding of sound and systematic knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the subject matter as defined for the selected research project.

Work independently on assignments and research projects, which require appropriate theoretical and practical skills.

Critically evaluate and utilise a wide range of basic and complex information to solve problems effectively using appropriate methods that are relevant to Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and communicate knowledge, findings and potential implications to other people.

Integrated Assessment:
Sciences:
In the first year of study, materials from all the sciences are covered. This includes exercise physiology, biochemistry, applied anatomy, biomechanics, pathology and pharmacology, and research methodology.

Year Mark:
During the first year of study, one multiple choice/short question class test and between 2 and 4 assignments (oral seminar presentations with peer review and written assignments) make up the year mark (30% of the final mark for this module).

Written Examinations:
At the end of the first year, written examinations (two multiple choice/short question papers) are completed which make up 70% of the final mark for the Sciences modules. Learners are admitted to the second year of study only if the final mark is 50% or more.

Year Mark:
The year mark for each module (exercise-related injuries and general sport and exercise medicine, is made up from the following marks:

Marks obtained for the class test (one multiple choice/short question paper written in Jul/July of the second year).

Written assignments and an oral seminar presentation with peer review during the first and second visits of the second year.

The year mark contributes 30% towards the final mark for the exercise-related injuries and general sport and exercise medicine modules.

Written examinations:
In October/November of the second year, a multiple-choice question paper is written for each of the modules (exercise-related injuries and general sport and exercise medicine) contributing 30% to the final mark. Class tests will be internally moderated whilst examinations will be both internally and externally moderated.

Clinical Examinations (to assess experiential learning):
In October/November of the second year, a clinical examination (clinical cases) and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is conducted which contributes 40% toward the final mark for each of these modules. These examinations will be both internally and externally moderated. Learners are required to obtain 50% or more for each component of the clinical examination (clinical cases and OSCE).

Research Assignment:
The dissertation is examined by two examiners (1 internal and 1 external). Learners are required to pass the research assignment with 50% or more to successfully complete this qualification.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification compares favourably with the following.

In the United Kingdom, the Queen Mary University offers a Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Medicine. This qualification is suitable for Physiotherapists, Osteopaths and Doctors. As the longest-established Sports and Exercise Medicine Master of Science qualification in the United Kingdom, this institution has a prestigious history, with this based on the philosophy of total care for the athlete and the promotion of physical activity in the general population. Working in sport is a largely a practical discipline and the qualification's emphasis lies firmly on regular clinical experience. A learner benefits from regular contact with members of the Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine as well as visiting Clinicians and lecturers who are experienced Sport Medicine Specialists.

To achieve the Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Medicine qualification, a learner has to complete a research project.

Core modules include:

Sports Injury Treatment (core module for Physiotherapists/Osteopaths).

Sports Injury Rehabilitation (core module for Physiotherapists/Osteopaths).

Exercise Physiology (core module for Doctors).

Medical Problems in Sport (core module for Doctors).

Sports Injury Assessment I (core module for all).

Sports Injury Assessment II (core module for all).

Research Methods (core module for all).

Optional modules include:

Sports Injury Management.

Exercise as a Health Tool.

Podiatry and Biomechanics.

Exercise Physiology and Team Medicine.

Football Medicine and Science.

Dance medicine.

Practical Content:
There are numerous in-house clinics, and many other National Health Service (NHS) and private clinics in and around London are utilised. Visits to national centres of excellence and sporting clubs are arranged where possible. A learner is expected to attend a minimum of 32 clinics over the period of the qualification.

Entry requirements:
The qualification is aimed at qualified Doctors, Physiotherapists and Osteopaths. All applicants need at least one year of clinical experience. If a learner is a Physiotherapist with an overseas qualification, he/she must be registered with the Health Professions Council.

Learning and teaching:
A learner at this institution plays an active part in acquisition of skills and knowledge. A variety of teaching and learning methods is employed including; seminars, laboratory practice sessions, self-directed learning, one-to-one tutorials, case presentations, reading lists of books and journal papers. A learner is assigned an Academic Adviser to guide in both academic and pastoral matters throughout the duration of the qualification.

Dissertation:
Learners are assessed on a 10,000-words dissertation. They must include an original research, and the title and design of their research project must be approved by the qualification Tutor. The research methods module assists learners in defining their research question and submitting for ethics committee approval. The research is submitted in the format of a literature review and a research article.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification articulates with the following qualification.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Philosophy in Sport and Exercise Medicine, Level 10.

Horizontal Articulation:
A cognate Master's programme in Sport- and/or Exercise Medicine or a generic Master of Science programme.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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