| Unit name | Exercise Physiology in Health and Disease |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHPH30028 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Hart |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Physiology 1A and/or Integrative Physiology |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
Exercise physiology is an exciting sub-discipline of physiology that focuses primarily on understanding the acute responses and the chronic adaptations to exercise. The integration and synergy of different systems at a molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ level is what makes exercise physiology stand out from other areas of physiology. Indeed, research in exercise physiology has given us a far deeper understanding of normal physiology and importantly, pathophysiology. It is well established that physical inactivity is strongly linked to chronic disease, and of concern, physical activity levels remain low globally, while the chronic disease burden increases. Some examples of what you will explore in this unit are how acute exercise testing can be used to understand disease processes and mechanisms, how adaptations to chronic exercise differ between continuous vs. high-intensity exercise, and how chronic exercise training can be used to reduce or even reverse disease progression.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Exercise physiology is an integrative discipline of physiology that requires students to bring their understanding of molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ biology together to evaluate the whole-body response to both acute and chronic exercise. In year 1, students learn a systems-based approach to physiology and in year 2, students begin to integrate that knowledge together in a unit called Integrative Physiology. Exercise physiology is a prominent strength in our department and this unit aims to give students the opportunity to integrate and apply their knowledge to exercise physiology research in both health and disease
An overview of content
Students will finish this unit with an excellent understanding of A) applied physiology, B) mechanisms of chronic diseases, and C) what current research tells us about how the acute and chronic response to exercise is different in individuals with chronic diseases. A key emphasis of this unit will be that some chronic diseases become more noticeable during physiological stress, and physical exercise is used to help us understand these underlying processes. This unit will give students an understanding of the experimental tools that exercise physiologists use. The specific content of this unit will reflect the expertise in the school.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Students will be able to interpret data in exercise physiology, develop hypotheses and design experiments to investigate the acute and chronic exercise responses in health and disease. We will consider the practical applications of exercise physiology research and through this, we hope to be able to show students career pathways that they may not have previously considered.
Learning outcomes
Subject specific knowledge and understanding:
To describe and interpret data, and to develop hypotheses and design experiments to investigate key principles of exercise physiology.
This unit will involve traditional lectures, lecture associated tasks, and seminars and workshops which will include discussions groups and data interpretation. An emphasis of this unit will be giving students the confidence to read and critique the primary research literature in integrative and exercise physiology. To achieve this, discussion groups will involve students describing and interpreting data, developing hypotheses, and designing experiments to investigate physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms using exercise in both health and disease. These tasks will specifically be targeted at helping students build confidence for their assessments.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Students will have the opportunity to do one essay (Section A) and one data handling/data interpretation/experimental design (Section B) assessment during the year. The assessments will be offered from different units depending which programme you are on. This assessment is formative and you will receive feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The unit will be assessed through a timed assessment in May/June, which contributes 100% of the unit mark and consists of two sections. In Section A (50%), you will be expected to answer one essay question from a choice of three, which will assess your knowledge and critical understanding of the field, and your ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature. In Section B (50%), you will be expected to answer one multi-part compulsory question assessing data handling/data interpretation and experimental design skills.
When assessment does not go to plan:
The re-assessment task for the timed assessment will be in the same format as the initial timed assessment. In Section A (50%), students will be expected to answer one essay question from a choice of three, which will assess your knowledge and critical understanding of the field, and your ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature. In Section B (50%), students will be expected to answer one multi-part compulsory question assessing data handling/data interpretation and experimental design skills.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHPH30028).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
