This module provides a solid base in sports and fitness, introducing key ideas to help with further study or personal growth. You’ll explore core sport and exercise topics while building skills that can be used for future learning and career opportunities. The module has six parts:
Investigating the active body
This first topic sets the scene for the module, introduces the module materials, and explains the support available during your studies. In addition to exploring the differences between the terms ‘sport’ and ‘exercise,’ you will study why it is important for humans to be physically active and how this impacts physical and mental health, self-identity, and self-confidence.
Where, how and why are people physically active?
The next section examines the factors that influence sport and fitness participation among different population groups. You’ll reflect on what has shaped your own engagement with these activities and explore how broader social contexts impact people’s involvement.
Training the body: faster, higher, stronger
This topic builds on your understanding of physiology. It examines the components of fitness and how to test and develop them using various methods. It introduces the core principles of anatomy and physiology, including the anatomy of the skeletal and muscular systems and the body’s energy systems.
The moving body: performance and injury risk in sport and exercise
This topic introduces the basic principles of biomechanics, explaining how humans move and how movement can be made more efficient and effective. You’ll explore how to apply these principles to enhance athletic performance and prevent injury.
Fuelling the body
This section explores the components of a healthy diet by examining the structures and roles of carbohydrates, protein, and fats. You’ll also study the importance of vitamins, minerals, and water, and consider the role of nutrition in optimising health and performance in sport and exercise activities.
Exploring the active body through different perspectives
In this final topic, you’ll choose three focus areas to explore. Options include examining why people participate in extreme ultra-endurance sports, how data is gathered from the body, issues surrounding disabled bodies and disability sports, the role of sports clothing, and the significance of physical play in childhood. Each area is examined from physiological, psychological, and sociocultural perspectives, providing a well-rounded understanding.
By the end of this module, you’ll be able to:
This module is for those interested in sport and fitness or who want to start or develop their careers in the industry.
This module counts as five continuing professional development (CPD) points as a non-endorsed activity with The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMPSA).
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You will have access to a module website, which includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
E114 is a compulsory module in our:
E114 is an option module in our:
Active bodies: introducing the study of sport and exercise (E114) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2032.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
This module is a broad introduction to sport and fitness, and no assumptions are made about your prior knowledge or educational background. As an OU level 1 module, it provides core subject knowledge and develops the study skills required for higher education and distance learning. These skills will also support your progress to modules at OU level 2 and beyond.
There are no fitness requirements for enrolling in this module. None of the activities involve strenuous exercise, and any physical activity that requires it can be performed by a friend. Your role is focused on monitoring and observing.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
To help you prepare for this module, we recommend you take our free OpenLearn course, Exploring Sports Coaching and Psychology.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying E114 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
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There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
Joint loan applications
If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.
As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
