Sports Cardiology MSc/PGDip/PGCert

• Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits)

  This module will explore cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, including knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms. You will study the interaction between the cardiovascular and respiratory systems during exercise and the impact of different sports and training regimes on the cardiovascular system. You will appraise the long-term impact of exercise on the cardiovascular system and how this is influenced by demographic factors, disease processes and performance enhancing substances. You will report on the impact of exercising under extreme environmental conditions as well as the notion of overtraining.

• Cardiac Rehabilitation (15 credits)

  This module is designed to enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to organise, manage and deliver Cardiac Rehabilitation programmes within a hospital or community setting. The module will provide special focus to rehabilitation of athletes or individuals with cardiac disorders who wish to return to exercise and work and learn to manage their condition and deal with activities of daily living. The module will be based on the European guidelines for cardiac rehabilitation, which promote evidence-based practice for individuals who have had a known cardiac event. You will be equipped with knowledge of aspects of cardiac disease, be exposed to the multi-disciplinary nature of effective cardiac rehabilitation services and learn to modify rehabilitation programmes for athletes and older people with cardiac disease.

• Principles of Cardiovascular Evaluation of Athletes (15 credits)

  This module will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of the principles of cardiovascular evaluation of athletes and athletic and non-athletic individuals with suspected cardiac disease. You will gain in depth understanding of how to differentiate between physiological adaptation to exercise and phenotypes of cardiac disease. The module will explore the indications and interpretation of a number of investigative modalities including, 12-lead ECG, ECG monitor, signal averaged ECG, exercise ECG and cardiopulmonary exercise testing, echocardiography, cardiac MRI, CT coronary angiography and drug provocation testing. In addition, you will gain an appreciation of the value and challenges of genetic testing and potential implications for the athlete. Finally, you will critically appraise current recommendations relating to sport participation of individuals with inherited, congenital and acquired cardiac conditions.

• Practice of Cardiovascular Evaluation of Athletes (15 credits)

  This module provides you with comprehensive practical experience on the cardiovascular evaluation of athletic and non-athletic individuals with suspected cardiac disease. You will gain in depth understanding of how to evaluate athletes within different clinical scenarios and how to differentiate between physiological adaptation to exercise and phenotypes of cardiac disease. You will explore the indications and interpretation of a number of investigative modalities including, 12-lead ECG, ECG monitor, signal averaged ECG, exercise ECG and cardiopulmonary exercise testing, echocardiography, cardiac MRI, CT coronary angiography and drug provocation testing. In addition, you will gain an understanding of the value and challenges of genetic testing and potential implications for the athlete. Finally, you will gain an understanding of current recommendations relating to sport participation of individuals with inherited, congenital and acquired cardiac conditions.

• Principles of Cardiovascular Screening (15 credits)

  In this module you will gain insight into phenotypes, investigative modalities and management of cardiac conditions predisposing young individuals to sudden cardiac death. You will appraise different primary and secondary prevention measures with particular emphasis on pre-participation cardiovascular screening. You will explore different perspectives and practices around the globe. You will critically appraise the potential benefits and risks of a widespread screening programme and its application in different populations. This module will evaluate the advantages and limitations of different screening modalities, including the psychological impact of screening and associated ethical and legal considerations.

• Practice of Cardiovascular Screening (15 credits)

  In this module you will have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of cardiac screening of various populations including: elite athletes; amateur athletes; master athletes; school children who exercise; and sedentary individuals. You will critically appraise the advantages and limitations of different screening modalities and gain competencies in performing cardiovascular screening in order to prevent acute cardiovascular events and potential worsening of cardiovascular disease. This module will analyse the logistical, financial, ethical and medico-legal challenges of organizing a screening programme. Finally, you will gain an appreciation of the psychological, ethical and legal considerations associated with the disqualification of athletes with heart disease from competitive sport.

• Research Methods (15 credits)

  This module starts by addressing the question ‘what is research?’ and goes on to look at a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research study designs and approaches and their advantages and disadvantages. There is a strong emphasis on good research practice, designing studies using tools and approaches to minimise bias and maximise scientific rigour. This is augmented by establishing the mechanisms of collecting quantitative and qualitative data. There will also be a lecture on writing a research protocol as preparation for the module assignment. This module is optional if you hold another postgraduate degree (MSc, PhD).

Students can complete their remaining credits by selecting optional modules, studying alongside students from other courses.

• Emergency Response Planning (15 credits)

  In this module you will review current recommendations from scientific and sporting bodies regarding safety measures in sport arenas as well as outdoors competitions in city streets, open water and motor sports. You will gain insight into the current state of safety measures in sport facilities around Europe, and will critically appraise evidence supporting the use of automated external defibrillators. This module will provide the opportunity to listen to organisers (medical directors, team doctors) of mass events who will provide you with first-hand experience of the challenges of ensuring the safety of athletes and spectators in such events.

• Advanced Management and Genomics of Inherited Cardiac Conditions (15 credits)

  This module builds on the knowledge provided in the Principles of Cardiovascular Screening module where students gained insight into phenotypes, investigative modalities and management of cardiac conditions predisposing young individuals to sudden cardiac death. This module will provide you with a systematic approach to assess complex, disease-specific, issues related to inherited cardiac conditions and formulate appropriate management plans. You will also gain insight in cardiac genetics and genomics and will evaluate the role of genetic testing in the setting of an inherited cardiac conditions clinic and Sports Cardiology. You will assess the need for genetic testing, evaluate potential ethical, medicolegal and clinical implications and gain insight into the interpretation of the results.

• Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Applied Genomics (15 credits)

  You will be provided with a platform of ethical understanding from which to consider issues of confidentiality, privacy and disclosure, autonomy, welfare, informed consent and justice. Upon this platform, you will consider the impact of genomic technologies on individual lives and public discourse. The social implications of the availability of genetic testing and screening will be considered, especially in the context of reproductive technologies. Finally, you will be provided with a discussion of legal issues surrounding the use of genetic information as well as the use of genetic data for research, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

• Counselling Skills in Genomics (15 credits)

  This module will provide you with an introduction to general communication skills and specific counselling skills used in genomic medicine. Students undertaking this module will be taught how to communicate and provide appropriate support to individuals and their families. Development of counselling skills will be achieved via theoretical and practical sessions through the use of role play within an academic setting. You will understand the importance of a family history and communication of pathogenic and/or uncertain results.

• Dissertation module/Thesis (60 credits)

  MSc students will select and research an in-depth topic on a subject/issue of their choice, with supervision from our expert staff and the possibility for additional external supervision. Previous students have, for example, researched the composition of coronary artery disease in older athletes, the prevalence and impact of arrhythmias in older athletes, and the impact of exercise on the adolescent footballer’s heart and aorta. They have implemented and assessed the impact of resuscitation training in schoolchildren and even created a national screening programme for cardiac conditions in high schools in Malta.