module specification

ST5006 - Exercise Physiology (2024/25)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2024/25
Module status DELETED (This module is no longer running)
Module title Exercise Physiology
Module level Intermediate (05)
Credit rating for module 30
School School of Human Sciences
Total study hours 300
 
76 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
4 hours Assessment Preparation / Delivery
220 hours Guided independent study
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 40%   Lab report (2500 words)
Unseen Examination 30%   Written Exam Unseen (1 hour)
Seen Examination 30%   Written Exam Seen (1 hour)
Running in 2024/25

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
No instances running in the year

Module summary

This module introduces students to the responses of tissues and organs to acute and chronic exercise training. Students are also familiarised with a variety of field and laboratory-based tests of physical performance to assess components of fitness and work capacity
Period:  Year long (30 weeks), day
Assessment: Lab report (40%); Written examination seen (30%) Written exam unseen (30%).

Syllabus

Fundamental Exercise Physiology:
Cardiovascular aspects of exercise: control and regulation of heart and circulation at rest and during exercise. LO1, LO3, LO4
Respiratory aspects of exercise: effects of exercise on the dynamics of gas exchange and blood gas transport. LO1, LO3, LO4
Voluntary muscle: overview of muscle structure, growth, development and function LO1, LO3
Exercise metabolism and nutrition: acute and chronic metabolic responses to exercise of different types and durations. Dietary components and their influence on sports performance LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Endocrine control during exercise: the acute hormonal response to exercise with particular emphasis on the sympatho-adrenal system. Chronic adaptations. LO1, LO4
Thermoregulation, fluid balance, and acid-base balance during exercise. LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5
Environmental Physiology. LO1, LO4, LO5

Applied Exercise Physiology:
Principles of performance testing, in relation to athletic performance and exercise prescription. LO3, LO4, LO5
Testing muscular strength and power, speed, agility, and balance. LO3, LO4, LO5
Direct metabolic testing of aerobic capacity and power; V̇O2max, metabolic threshold, respiratory capacity and data interpretation. Anaerobic power and capacity testing. LO1, LO3, LO4, LO5
Body composition analysis, bioelectrical impedance and air plethysmography LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Health screening including blood pressure measurement and capillary blood sampling for glucose. LO4, LO5
Environmental Physiology: exercise at high altitude and in extreme temperatures. LO1, LO2, LO3

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

The basic structure of teaching and learning will comprise theory-driven lectures supported by tutorials and lab practical sessions. Lectures will cover acute and chronic physiological responses to exercise and the theoretical basis for test selection. Lab practical sessions offer students opportunities to perform physiological measurements during exercise and to develop the ability to implement a variety of performance tests. Vocational skills and employability will be emphasised when performance evaluation skills are developed and assessed. Virtual exercise physiology lab sessions will be made available to reinforce the practical component of the module as well as underlying theoretical concepts.

Online quizzes will be used to provide purely formative assessment. Written feedback will be given for the summatively-assessed coursework items. Oral feedback from the written exams will be given on request. Feedback from the lab report and written examinations in January and May will assist students with their subsequent study and assessments at Level 6.
This approach allows for summative feedback throughout the course of the module. It also allows the integrated theory and practical core of the syllabus to be separated into two separate items of unseen assessment.

Students’ study responsibilities are articulated in the SHS Staff/Student Agreement which is available via the Faculty Web site.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Understand the acute and chronic responses to exercise of the major physiological systems and the interactions between these responses.
2. Understand the relevance of metabolism and nutrition to sport and exercise.
3. Collect reliable physiological and performance measurements during exercise and report the results appropriately.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the correct selection, application and limitations of a number of laboratory and field based performance tests and select appropriate tests of health-related fitness and athletic ability.
5. Correctly interpret empirical test data in the context of exercise prescription, health profiling and communicate test data clearly and precisely either in the form of a scientific report or verbal communication in scientific and non-scientific language.

Bibliography

Textbooks

Core texts:

• ACSM (2013). Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. 9th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Cooper, C. Press (2001). Exercise Testing and Interpretation: A Practical Approach Paperback. Cambridge University Press. ISBN-10: 0521648424; ISBN-13: 978-0521648424
• Kenney, WL Willmore, JH and Costill, DL (2012) Physiology of Sport and Exercise. 5th edn. Human Kinetics.
• Shephard, R.J. and Åstrand, P.-O. (Eds.) (2000) Endurance in Sport. 2nd edn. Blackwell Scientific Publications.


Other texts:

• Baechle, T.R., and Earle, R.W. (2008). Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. 3rd edn. Human Kinetics.
• Ehrman, J. et al. (2013). Clinical Exercise Physiology. 3rd ed. Human Kinetics.
• Kaminsky, L. (Ed.) (2010) ACSM's Health-related Physical Fitness Assessment Manual. 3rd edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Komi, P. (Ed.) (2002) Strength and Power in Sport. 2nd edn. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
• McArdle, WD, Katch, FI and Katch, VL (2007) Exercise Physiology. 6th edn. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.