ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage QN 603/4501/9

Course Structure

ITEC Level 3 Syllabus (Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy)

This course will be examined by a visiting ITEC examiner and successful students will achieve a Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy at Level 3.

Additional Information:

• Level 3 is equivalent to NVQ 3, Advanced GNVQ, BTEC National and AS/A Level
• Some home study and case studies are required away from the classroom.
• The course will take place over four months, spread over seven study weekends and one revision weekend. You can expect to study therefore around two weekends per month – see dates for this course above and on the right-hand side of this page.

The Level 3 course consists of five units as follows:

iUSP160 – Functional Anatomy & Physiology for Sports Massage

Students will learn how to understand the structural organisation of the human body, in relation to sports massage application;

These areas include:

• Human cells and tissues
• The structure and function of the Skin
• The structure and function of the Skeletal system, including joints and categories of joints, ligaments and tendons
• The structure and function of the Muscular System and the location and function of relevant muscles in the body
• The structure and function of the Nervous System
• The structure and function of the Endocrine System
• The structure and function of the Cardio-vascular system
• The structure and function of the Lymphatic System
• The structure and function of the Respiratory system
• The structure and function of the Digestive System
• The structure and function of the Urinary System

This unit will be assessed by an externally set multiple choice question paper (25 questions) on exam day.

iUSP174 – Principles of Health & Fitness.

Students will be able to understand the following:

• The benefits of an active healthy lifestyle
• The effects of exercise on the body
• The components of fitness
• The principles of training
• Nutrition – the role of micro/macro nutrients, hydration and healthy eating and how this relates to growth, repair and injury.

This unit will be set as a combination of classroom lectures and home assignment work

iUSP150 – Professional Practice in Sports Massage

To include:

• Sports Massage Legislation
• Scope of practice in the sports massage industry, including awareness and understanding of caution, contraindications and interface with other professionals and therapists.
• Professional Standards and regulations, pertinent to the industry
• Legal obligations, legislation and client record keeping

This unit will be set as a combination of classroom lectures and home assignment work

iUSP181 – Understanding the Principles of *Soft Tissue Dysfunction

*Soft tissue is an anatomical term to categorise the tissues that connect, support, or surround other structures and organs of the body, other than bone. This includes tendons, ligaments and muscle fascia, amongst other tissue and is relevant therefore to the sports massage industry.

Learners will therefore understand:

• Soft Tissue Dysfunction and the process of repair of this tissue, including causes and types of injury and damage.

This unit will be set as a combination of classroom lectures and home assignment work

iUSP178 – Applying Sports Massage Treatment

Learners will gain the knowledge, theory and skills to understand and apply:

• The history, origins and development of sports massage
• Sports massage techniques* and tools and apply them as sports massage treatments
• Equipment and its adaptation/modification in relation to different environments and events.
• Identifying contra-indications and contra-actions before, during and after massage treatment
• Assessing and screening clients for sports massage treatments
• Consultation and client assessment recording methods
• Devising a suitable massage strategy for each client and their specific needs/requirements and carrying out an effective and safe treatment.
• Develop and ensure good posture whilst working and making effective use of massage equipment, including massage couch, oils and massage mediums.
• Working to good professional standards of practice, ensuring that hygiene and sterilisation is observed at all times.
• Monitoring client communication and feedback.
• Evaluating the outcomes and effectiveness of the massage strategy and treatment in every case.
• Post massage analysis and aftercare advice and guidance.

Techniques will include:

• Effleurage
• Petrissage
• Friction
• Tapotement
• Vibration
• Neuro-Muscular Technique (NMT)
• Pre/Post/Inter-Event Massage
• Other specific sports massage techniques

Course Fees

FAQs

I have no previous massage experience and I have no previous background in science or anatomy – can I sign up for this course?
Yes, the course is aimed at those who have no prior knowledge and who are looking for a career change, as well as those who do have some experience and/or qualifications already in either Swedish, holistic or body massage. We will train and guide you throughout the course on practical massage techniques and all sports massage related theory, including anatomy and physiology.

Course Entry Requirements for existing practitioners
This course is also open to complete beginners with no previous massage qualification. Therapists from other disciplines wishing to learn sports massage are welcome.

Will I have to study Anatomy & Physiology again, if I have already studied it and obtained a qualification?
No, not necessarily. If you already have an existing UK recognised qualification in massage, or an holistic therapy which included this element, we may be able to exempt you from further study. There are however, three criteria which must be met:

• The A&P qualification must be part of a massage qualification; UK recognised and listed on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF or QCF). Examples of such are ITEC, VTCT, City & Guilds. Please check with us if unsure, by email or phone call
• It should be Level 3 or above
• There may be a requirement to attend around two or three sports massage specific A&P sessions throughout the course, although we can exempt you from most other sessions, so long as you meet the above criteria in 2 and 3.

I already hold a qualification in Swedish/Body/Holistic massage-am I eligible to join this course and will I need to study Anatomy & Physiology again?
Yes you can join us and having previous training and experience is of course an advantage. Please be aware however that sports massage techniques differ from the type of massage you may have trained in, so it will involve moving away from a ‘routine’ and working in a completely different way to you are familiar with for sports and remedial massage clients – we will teach you how to do this and you will learn some new ways of working and some new techniques too.

With regard to Anatomy & Physiology – please see above.

Do I need to do any pre-reading or preparation before the course starts?
Some general reading on the human body in advance of your course may be helpful if you haven’t studied any anatomy or physiology before and we will supply a basic recommended reading list prior to the course, once you have booked and paid your deposit. Don’t forget we also provide our own exclusive and comprehensive course notes as well once the course is under way?

Do I have the right background to study sports massage?
As we have said, the course is open to anyone with a genuine desire to learn the art of sport/remedial massage and is physically fit enough and able to perform what we term ‘bodywork’. This is quite a physical course, so it is important to advise us at the time of booking or enquiring, if you have an illness or condition which may affect your ability to perform massage.

Something that may be helpful for potential candidates is a background in some sort of sport, exercise or dance, but it is absolutely not essential.

What will I need to bring to the course?
2 bath towels for personal use. You will provided with a course manual, comprehensive course notes throughout the course. Coloured pencils and general writing materials will be needed for the anatomy class, although we do provide a notebook and pen.

Will I need to buy my own couch?
You will undoubtedly need your own couch for practise at home and for case study treatments. We will be able to advise you before you purchase one and we have an exclusive deal with a well-respected massage couch supplier, who is able to offer discounts and very good deals for students. We will provide couches during class time of course.

How much study time at home will be needed?
You will need to allocate time regularly throughout the week for assignment work and some small pieces of written work. You will also need to set time aside for case study work/home treatments as the course progresses. Of course it depends on how quickly you learn as to how long you will need but you will need to make some time available.

Will there be lots of essay writing?
The ITEC Level 3 anatomy exam is multiple choice only. The other units involve some writing but the tutor will guide you as to the style of presentation. Generally, bullet point presentation is passable if the information is thorough, clear and accurate.

What if English is not my first language, or if I haven’t studied for a long time?
We would expect anyone applying to possess a reasonable command of English language, both written and oral. However, there are many ways of presenting work and we can advise what is best for the individual in terms of how they present their work, if they find they are struggling with their written skills.

I have dyslexia
We can assist those who struggle with English, don’t have English as their first language, or have dyslexia – see question above.

Is there an age limit?
We prefer students to be at least 21 years of age in order to undertake this course. Younger students may apply by contacting us and acceptance on this programme is subject to telephone interview first.

Do I have to provide my own ‘clients’ to practise on for coursework?
Yes, you will need to find people to do case studies on in your own time – friends, family and work colleagues are usually very willing to receive a free massage session!!

Can I leave my belongings at the venue between sessions?
Students cannot leave belongings at the venue as there is very limited storage available.

Are the massage classes single sex?
The massage classes include both male and female students. You would need to advise us in advance if you have an objection to that and we will advise you if this course is suitable.

Exam Details

This practical unit will be externally assessed by a visiting ITEC examiner on the scheduled exam day and will last for one hour approximately.

Additional work will also be required for this course, as follows:

• Evidence of 3 detailed case studies will also be required – these must be completed away from the classroom as home study
• Three additional written assignments must also be completed as homework – these will be internally marked by our tutors. (Please see our FAQS if you may need help with written work)
• Learners will also be required to undertake a 25-question multiple choice exam paper for unit 451 – (Anatomy & Physiology for Sports Massage) on exam day.
• Final total marks are calculated and graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Course Tutors

Joseph O’Dwyer

Iris Kettner

Trevor Gorard