Learning objectives

The main objective of the study course is to provide graduates with scientific knowledge in the various fields of human motor activities, with a focus on the biological and physiological, pathophysiological, technical, managerial and educational areas.

In the biological and physiological area, knowledge is acquired of the structure and functions of the human body and the reciprocal relationships between its various components, with particular reference to the locomotor system and the functions involved in the performance of physical activity. In the pathophysiological area, knowledge of the physio-pathological basis of the main sports-sensitive diseases and knowledge of health promotion are acquired.

In the technical area, which covers motor and sports disciplines, knowledge is acquired of the various components underlying the ability to perform physical activity in both the sporting and educational-preventive spheres. In the management area, one learns legal-administrative notions governing the world of motor activities in the areas of sport, recreation, education, prevention and industry. In the educational area, knowledge is acquired on expressive motor education, emphasising the development of skills, competences and motor development in developmental age.

These objectives are achieved through face-to-face teaching, mainly led by the teaching staff members, and interdisciplinary seminar meetings, which stimulate the students' ability to make longitudinal and transversal connections between the contents of the various disciplines; through individual study of post-secondary level textbooks and various teaching materials provided by the teaching staff or collected independently; through technical-practical demonstrations in the laboratory or in the field and individual exercises aimed at acquiring practical skills on the subjects studied; by means of internships at qualified preventive-adaptive motor activity facilities, sports clubs and companies connected with the world of motor sciences; finally, by the production of an original written and/or multimedia paper that demonstrates the student's acquired ability to individually gather information in his/her field of study, process it autonomously in a multidisciplinary synthesis perspective and communicate it concisely and clearly.

Specifically, the course of study includes a first year aimed at acquiring the anatomical, biochemical and physiological knowledge required to understand the basics of how the human body functions in movement, as well as the psycho-pedagogical aspects that can motivate attention to the body and the propensity for sport and motor activity. In this year, the legislative and economic fundamentals underlying the structure and functioning of sports organisations will also be addressed.

The second year, on the other hand, focuses on the didactics of motor and sports activities, and focuses on the knowledge of sports disciplines and the links between motor activity and health, and on the methods of didactics of motor and sports activities. Also during this year, students will be introduced to technical and didactic profiles of specific motor and sports disciplines in group courses held at appropriate sports facilities. The practical activities carried out in this course year will be complemented by internship activities aimed at learning the fundamental aspects of specific motor and sports disciplines for subjects of different ages and genders.

The activities of the third year, on the other hand, are aimed at the knowledge of the theoretical and applicative aspects of training and functional and nutritional assessment of the athlete with particular attention to the themes of health protection of motor and sports activities and the development of the individual throughout life, safety in sports facilities, orthopaedics and traumatology of sport and movement. The practical activities carried out in this course year will be complemented by internship activities that may be aimed at learning the fundamental aspects of specific motor and sports disciplines to subjects of different ages and genders, as well as training in them.

The teaching of the English language, which is considered fundamental for a correct use of the technical and scientific knowledge available worldwide, but also for the exercise of the activity in a world that sees an ever-increasing presence of non-Italian speaking athletes and practitioners at all levels, is present with a course that addresses not only the linguistic basics, but also, and above all, the specific aspects of the world of sport and motor activity.

With regard to the Motor and Sport Disciplines, the ECTS credits of activities conducted in facilities appropriate in size and technical characteristics to the activity envisaged and to the number of students will be acquired through the integration of: a) attendance at practical activities for small groups carried out within the framework of the fundamental teachings relating to the Academic disciplines concerned; b) participation in internship activities aimed at sports practice, sports didactics and training.

Finally, maximum freedom of choice will be left to students among the courses active at the university for free-choice activities (Article 10(5)(a)).