The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Sports Medicine (Cert SM) is a specialised qualification designed for healthcare and sports professionals seeking to advance their knowledge and expertise in the prevention, assessment, and management of sports-related injuries and conditions. This Level 3 Certificate is aimed at learners with prior experience in healthcare, physiotherapy, sports therapy, or related fields who wish to enhance their career prospects, deepen their professional knowledge, and fulfil Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. It is not intended for beginners but for those committed to delivering safe, evidence-based care in sports medicine.
Learners enrolling in this course will gain a comprehensive understanding of sports physiology, injury prevention, musculoskeletal assessment, rehabilitation strategies, and performance optimisation. The course emphasises both theoretical knowledge and practical application, enabling learners to apply sports medicine principles effectively in clinical, athletic, and community settings.
To maintain the highest standards of training and learner achievement, centres delivering this qualification must employ competent and qualified staff, and provide access to all necessary learning materials, practical resources, and facilities. This ensures learners receive a high-quality, engaging, and interactive learning experience, promoting professional growth and clinical competence.
Whether you are a physiotherapist, sports therapist, coach, or allied health professional, this Level 3 Certificate provides a solid foundation for career advancement, enhanced clinical skills, and improved athlete care outcomes. By completing the course, learners will be equipped to apply evidence-based strategies for injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement, while contributing effectively to multidisciplinary sports medicine teams.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Sports Medicine (Cert SM)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
24
GLH
120
Qualification #
LICQ2200860
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Sports Medicine (Cert SM), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200860-1 |
Anatomy and Physiology for Sports Medicine |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200860-2 |
Sports Injuries and Pathophysiology |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200860-3 |
Assessment and Diagnosis in Sports Medicine |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200860-4 |
Rehabilitation and Recovery Strategies |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200860-5 |
Performance Enhancement and Conditioning |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200860-6 |
Ethics, Professional Practice, and Multidisciplinary Care |
4 |
20 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology for Sports Medicine
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the structure and function of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems
- Explain how anatomy and physiology relate to athletic performance and injury risk
- Analyse the physiological responses to exercise and physical activity
- Evaluate the impact of anatomical and physiological factors on injury prevention
Unit 2: Sports Injuries and Pathophysiology
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify common sports injuries and their causes
- Understand the pathophysiology of acute and chronic injuries
- Analyse mechanisms of injury and risk factors in different sports
- Evaluate strategies to prevent and manage sports-related injuries
Unit 3: Assessment and Diagnosis in Sports Medicine
Learning Outcomes:
- Apply screening and assessment techniques to evaluate injuries
- Use diagnostic tools effectively to support clinical decision-making
- Conduct comprehensive injury evaluations considering physical and functional factors
- Develop accurate diagnoses to guide treatment and rehabilitation plans
Unit 4: Rehabilitation and Recovery Strategies
Learning Outcomes:
- Design and implement effective rehabilitation programmes for athletes
- Apply physiotherapy, exercise therapy, and recovery strategies to support healing
- Monitor progress and adjust interventions based on patient response
- Evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation strategies in restoring function and performance
Unit 5: Performance Enhancement and Conditioning
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand principles of strength, conditioning, and athletic training
- Apply exercise and nutrition strategies to optimise performance safely
- Analyse factors influencing athletic performance and adaptation
- Evaluate training programmes to improve efficiency, endurance, and skill
Unit 6: Ethics, Professional Practice, and Multidisciplinary Care
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate patient-centred care and effective communication with athletes and teams
- Apply ethical principles and professional standards in sports medicine practice
- Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams
- Evaluate strategies for optimising athlete outcomes through coordinated care
This course is designed for healthcare and sports professionals who wish to enhance their knowledge and career prospects in sports medicine. Learners who will benefit include:
- Healthcare Professionals: Nurses, physiotherapists, doctors, and allied health practitioners working with athletes or in clinical rehabilitation
- Sports Therapists and Trainers: Individuals responsible for injury prevention, performance monitoring, and rehabilitation in sports settings
- Coaches and Conditioning Specialists: Professionals seeking to optimise athlete performance and understand injury management
- Medical Researchers: Those conducting research in sports medicine, exercise physiology, or injury prevention
- Public Health Practitioners: Individuals involved in community sports programmes and athlete health promotion
- Healthcare Educators: Trainers and educators aiming to expand their knowledge of sports medicine for teaching purposes
- CPD Seekers: Professionals looking to fulfil Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements while applying knowledge in practice
This Level 3 Certificate is ideal for learners with prior healthcare, sports, or rehabilitation experience who are motivated to improve athlete care, enhance clinical competence, and advance professional development in sports medicine.
To deliver high-quality training and ensure learner success, centres offering this qualification must meet the following requirements:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ experienced trainers and assessors with relevant professional qualifications in sports medicine, physiotherapy, healthcare, or related clinical fields. Staff should have practical experience and expertise in Level 3 healthcare education.
- Access to Learning Resources: Centres must provide learners with up-to-date course materials, textbooks, digital learning platforms, and reference resources to support both theoretical knowledge and practical application.
- Teaching and Learning Facilities: Centres should have suitable classrooms, practical training areas, gym or rehabilitation facilities, and demonstration spaces to facilitate interactive and practical learning experiences.
- Assessment Arrangements: Centres must implement robust assessment procedures, including formative and summative assessments, to ensure learners achieve all required learning outcomes.
- Health and Safety Compliance: Centres must maintain safe learning environments, adhering to UK health and safety regulations, particularly for practical or physical activity sessions.
- Quality Assurance Systems: Centres should have effective internal quality assurance mechanisms, including monitoring teaching standards, learner feedback, and continuous improvement strategies.
- Support for Learners: Centres must provide guidance and support services, including access to tutors, mentoring, and resources for independent study to promote learner success.
Meeting these requirements ensures that centres deliver a professional, credible, and internationally recognised training programme, equipping learners with the knowledge and skills needed for excellence in sports medicine.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
