module specification

The Physiology content introduces students to the responses to the body to acute and chronic exercise training. Students are also familiarised with laboratory tests of physical performance to assess components of fitness and capacity for work and rehabilitation. The module is designed to provide students with an understanding of different analytical approaches to problems with the need to consider statistics and quality control in the design of projects. In addition, the module introduces students to methods of data analysis using computer software therefore Students will be supported to achieve a specific level of competence relating to theory, analysis and interpretation of exercise specific data..

● Body composition analysis using different measurement methods and understanding the relevance of the testing and relevance of composition to performance and to health and to the Sports Therapy process. (LO 1,3)

● Cardiovascular and respiratory aspects of exercise and the effects of exercise on the dynamics of gas exchange and blood gas transport (LO 1,3)

● Exercise metabolism and nutrition: acute and chronic metabolic responses to exercise. Nutritional components and influence on sport and exercise performance and injury (LO 2)

● Thermoregulation and fluid balance as relevant to sport exercise and sports therapy. Muscle function, strength testing and resistance exercise in sports performance and the sports therapy process (LO 2,3)

● Characteristics of the research process, specifically addressing ‘Systematic review’; types of experimental design. Professional codes of practice and ethics; risk assessment; data protection (LO 4)

● Descriptive and inferential statistical skills and their applications to related research. Hypothesis generation and testing; Difference and correlation data analysis and interpretation (LO 4)

● Critical analysis of statistics employed in various published research papers, assessing limitations to the tests employed.Addressing the correlation/causality relationship and limitations to correlation testing. Statistical versus clinical significance analysis (p versus r value evaluation) - discussion of the practicality of statistical findings to the application of Sports Therapy (LO 1,4)

Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of the various aspects of research planning and execution through a series of lectures, workshops and IT-based practicals. Throughout the module students will be guided towards the use of IT-based approaches to literature searching, data analysis, and the presentation of results, and will be expected to exploit these fully and effectively in their work. Directed study is provided in the form of practice statistical problems and analyses. Theory sessions are supported in all cases by laboratory based practical sessions.
On completion of this module students’ provide an evaluation of how the module allowed them to develop skills such as information technology, organisational skills, team building and communication.

On completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Understand and apply physiological knowledge to an interdisciplinary approach in the context of sports therapy and exercise science
2. Utilise physiological theory, data collection and research skills to undertake a problem-solving approach in a variety of complex contexts
3. Analyse and critically evaluate physiological performance data, demonstrating application of these findings to Sports Therapy practices
4. Identify appropriate statistical tests for a given dataset (with a commercially available software package) and critically evaluate statistical test methods and the output of these tests

There are two assessments in this module addressing the two components of Exercise Physiology and Statistical analysis:
1. In class written test of Exercise Physiology knowledge.

Use and critical evaluation of statistical methods, outputs and results will be addressed in the form of coursework in which students appropriately utilise tests of difference and correlation. Results will be correctly interpreted and critically evaluated.
To pass the module students need to achieve a minimum aggregate mark of 50%.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/E0FA4A7D-BB07-6922-8A4C-89FC8F674529.html?lang=en&login=1

Cooper, C. Press (2001). Exercise Testing and Interpretation: A Practical Approach Paperback. Cambridge University Press.

McArdle, WD, Katch, FI and Katch, VL (2007) Exercise Physiology. 6th edn. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Moore, D.S. and McCabe, G.P. (2003) Introduction to the Practice of Statistics. 4th edn.  Freeman.

Thomas, J.R., Nelson, J.K., and Silverman, S.J. (2005) Research Methods in Physical Activity, 5th Ed. Human Kinetics. 613.71072 THO

Online resources
Lane, M. (2013) Hyperstat Online Statistics Textbook. Available at http://davidmlane.com/hyperstat/index.html (Accessed 13 September 2016).