PHY3072 · Exercise physiology

Overview

The unit addresses the physiological responses to exercise, in particular, muscle energy supply and consumption, metabolism and fatigue. You will extend your understanding of these responses to the adaptions of exercise training and the study of various aspects of human exercise performance. There is an emphasis upon how the major physiological systems of the body respond to physical activity and extreme environments and you will explore how these interact with the cardio-respiratory, endocrine and renal systems. You will consider current research ideas about normal function and dysfunction in this area and discuss new research and clinical methodologies that relate to exercise. You will discuss many of the current issues associated with athletic performance and the decline with ageing.

Areas of study: Physiology

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Differentiate the energy pathways that power skeletal muscle activity, and how exercise training leads to adaptations in skeletal muscle structure and function;
2. Identify and describe the factors that influence muscle fatigue and muscle repair;
3. Outline and analyse how the cardiovascular, respiratory, sensory and endocrine systems respond to exercise in normal and extreme environments;
4. Use standard physiological testing procedures to evaluate human subjects for exercise capacity and performance;
5. Work effectively in a team to design and complete a research project and communicate the results to a wider audience;
6. Critically evaluate the scientific literature of relevance to exercise physiology and metabolism.

Workload

Up to 12 hours per week consisting of: • 6 hours of directed learning including online activities, lectures, laboratories or workshop activities and • 6 hours of self-directed study

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.