module specification

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, studio and laboratory-based tests of physical performance to assess components of dance, fitness and work capacity as well as to screen for risk of sports and dance injuries.
Assessment: Lab report (40%); Written examination seen (30%) Written exam unseen (30%).

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 dance/athletic performance and exercise prescription. LO3, LO4, LO5
Testing muscular strength and power, speed, agility, and balance in sports and dance.  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 LO4, LO5
Health screening including blood pressure measurement and capillary blood sampling for glucose. Environmental Physiology: exercise at high altitude and in extreme temperatures. LO1, LO2, LO3
Dance specific fitness tests LO3, LO4

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.

Dance breakout sessions will run to cover the theoretical and practical aspects of applying physiological theory to dance practice as well as introducing aspects which are specific to dancers.

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 examination in January will assist students with their subsequent assessments.
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.

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/dance and report the results appropriately.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the correct selection, application and limitations of a number of laboratory, studio and field-based performance tests and select appropriate tests of health-related fitness, dance performance 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.

Coursework is designed to assess scientific report writing, the ability to analyse and discuss test data and to demonstrate literature research skills.
The written exams provide assessment of material relevant to teaching in each semester. The first exam relates to theory and the second has a focus on theory and practical applications. 
Both assessments formats develop skills required at level 6 therefore equipping students suitably and ensuring a logical progression from level 5 to level 6.
• Lab Report (2500 words): Assesses ability to collect, present and analyse physiological data in a scientific manner and prepares students for subsequent physiological research at level 6. Assesses ability to undertake literature searches and critically engage with current research in order to discuss their findings in an academic report format.
• Written Exam Unseen (1 hour): Assesses theoretical understanding of acute and chronic responses to exercise and underlying principles of performance testing
• Written Exam Seen (1 hour): Assess practical application of scientific knowledge underpinning athlete and dancer support and preparation for both competition and environmental challenges during exercise.

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.
• Clippinger, K. (2007) Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology. Human Kinetics.
• Cook, G. (2010) Movement. On Target Publications.
• Ehrman, J. et al. (2013). Clinical Exercise Physiology. 3rd ed. Human Kinetics
• Howse, J & McCormack, M. (2009) Anatomy Dance Technique and Injury Prevention 4th ed. Methuen Drama
• Komi, P. (Ed.) (2002) Strength and Power in Sport. 2nd edn. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
• Kaminsky, L. (Ed.) (2010) ACSM's Health-related Physical Fitness Assessment Manual. 3rd edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• McArdle, WD, Katch, FI and Katch, VL (2007) Exercise Physiology. 6th edn. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
• Solomon, R., Solomon, J., & Minton, S.C. (2005) Preventing Dance Injuries. 2nd ed. Human Kinetics.