Robert Gordon University (RGU) has launched a new degree aimed at helping exercise professionals "change the public’s perspective of exercise and keeping fit".

The new MSc Exercise Health and Wellness Coaching will begin in September this year and has been developed in-house by RGU’s School of Health Sciences.

According to Laura Stewart, course leader for the new qualification, the MSc will differ from most sports science degrees.

"Traditionally sport science has been focused towards performance sports and working with those who are already engaged in sport and exercise," Stewart said.

"More recently this focus has broadened, with the importance of exercise for health growing in recognition.

"The field of sport science now regularly incorporates teaching around exercise for health with many institutions offering undergraduate and postgraduate study in this field.

"Where we have looked to develop something unique is in encompassing the concept of wellness coaching – a developing area that looks to draw upon coaching philosophies developed in performance sport and applying them to populations with health and wellbeing needs to help address the challenges associated with behaviour change."