IIT Madras-NPTEL launch specialised free courses in sports science

The courses are relevant for students pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s in Sports Sciences, Physiotherapy, Physical Education, and other related areas.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) are launching seven new online courses on Sports Science. The courses can be taken online free of cost.

These courses are aimed at bridging the gap between theory and practical applications, the institute said in a statement. The courses are tailored to the Indian and South Asian body structure and cultural aspects.

The first batch for these seven courses will commence classes on February 19, 2024, which is also the last date to apply for the courses on the NPTEL Website.

The NPTEL was initiated by seven Indian Institutes of Technology (Madras, Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Guwahati and Roorkee) along with the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in 2003. It contains an online repository of the courses in engineering, basic sciences and selected humanities and social sciences subjects.

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With a recommended Class XII Pass as a qualification, learners can take this introductory NPTEL course to explore this growing field. The courses are relevant for students pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s in Sports Sciences, Physiotherapy, Physical Education, and other related areas. On completion, students can pursue Diplomas or PG degrees in these areas. The Center of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics at IIT Madras has introduced courses in this domain.

“This comprehensive set of courses will be a game-changer, addressing India-centric sports needs and promoting a well-rounded approach. There is a high demand for skilled personnel across sports domains with competitive sports expanding rapidly in India. These NPTEL courses equip learners to understand how to enhance performance, monitor diet and training frequencies, formulate recovery programs, and offer a holistic approach to sports science,” said Professor Andrew Thangaraj, Coordinator, NPTEL, IIT Madras.

While the courses are being offered online on the National MOOCs portal of India, SWAYAM, for which enrolment is free, the final exam will be in-person centre-based and proctored, which carries a fee of Rs 1,000 per course.

These courses are targeted towards a broad audience including coaches, athletes, trainers, physiotherapists, and nutritionists, among others. It covers sports topics such as biomechanics, injury prevention, sports psychology, strength training for Indians, and cultural aspects of sports.

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The areas covered include exercise physiology, movement science, sports nutrition, injury prevention, training fundamentals, strength conditioning, and sports psychology. Through theory and practical knowledge, participants will gain invaluable insights to build a career in sports science.

From exercise physiology fundamentals to practical applications like nutrition strategies and biomechanics techniques, attendees will gain foundational and in-depth knowledge to build a successful sports science career.

Students can gain a Domain Certification in Sports Science by completing five Core courses and two Elective courses.