2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
SPSC2321 Exercise Physiology: Pushing the Physiological Limitations to Performance
20 creditsClass Size: 100
Module manager: Dr Matthew Lancaster
Email: M.K.Lancaster@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2020/21
Pre-requisite qualifications
N/APre-requisites
| FOBS1125 | Introduction to Physiology |
Module replaces
SPSC2302: Exercise Physiology in Sport, Health and DiseaseThis module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Continuing the systems-led approach and building on the foundation concepts taught in Level 1, this module will use contemporary evidence to understand the acute and chronic responses to exercise, how these responses are controlled, how they adapt with exercise training, how different system-responses integrate during exercise and act to limit exercise tolerance. You will then consider the core principles of training, the influence and importance of nutrition, and consequences of different nutritional strategies for health, well-being and performance. You will also have the opportunity to learn how to assess key parameters of exercise performance and consider the effects and impact of nutrition on exercise responses during laboratory sessions.Objectives
This systems-led module will build on the core principles of the ‘normal’ physiologic responses at rest, acute exercise and how the function of key systems are tested in a laboratory that have been developed at Level 1, to understand:1. In depth, the acute neuromuscular, cardiovascular and pulmonary system responses to exercise and how they are controlled
2. How the responses of the neuromuscular, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems adapt to exercise training
3. The integrated responses to exercise, and limitations to exercise tolerance
4. The core principles of exercise training
5. The importance of training specificity
6. The influence and importance of nutrition
7. Key concepts related to energy balance
8. Immunological responses and adaptations to exercise training
Learning outcomes
1. Describe, in depth, the system responses to acute exercise
2. Discuss the mechanisms controlling the different system-response to exercise;
3. Describe how the different system responses integrate during exercise;
4. Explain limitations to exercise tolerance;
5. Describe the physiologic adaptations to exercise training;
6. Describe the principles of training;
7. Discuss the basic principles of nutrition, energy balance and metabolism during exercise;
8. Describe nutritional strategies for improving performance;
9. Explain the concept of energy balance and its relation to health and exercise performance;
10.Describe the immunological responses and adaptations to exercise training.
Skills outcomes
- Exercise testing skills;
- Client (participant) handling.
Syllabus
Lectures:
Content on nutrition and training will be delivered in Semester 1, including the energy balance and body composition practical activities.
Semester 1:
1. Introduction to semester 1;
2. Principles of exercise training 1: Periodisation;
3. Principles of exercise training 2: Specificity;
4. Principles of exercise training 3: Overtraining;
5. Training specificity of adaptations – case study;
6. Influence/ importance of nutrition 1;
7. Influence/ importance of nutrition 2;
8. Energy balance;
9. Nutritional ergogenic aids;
10.Immunological responses;
11.Immunological adaptations;
12.Case study – consequences of poor nutrition on immunological responses and exercise performance.
Semester 2:
1. Introduction to semester 2;
2. Muscle physiology and exercise responses 1;
3. Muscle physiology and exercise responses 2;
4. Muscle adaptations to exercise training;
5. Cardiovascular responses to exercise 1;
6. Cardiovascular responses to exercise 2 (inc. control);
7. Cardiovascular system adaptations to exercise training;
8. Pulmonary responses to exercise 1;
9. Pulmonary responses to exercise 2 (inc. control);
10.Pulmonary system adaptations to exercise training;
11.Integrated exercise responses – limitations to exercise tolerance.
Laboratory classes:
1. Energy balance;
2. Effect of nutrition on physiologic responses.
3. Assessment of key parameters of anaerobic fitness;
4. Assessment of key parameters of aerobic fitness: relative importance of each.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Fieldwork | 1 | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Lecture | 24 | 1.00 | 24.00 |
| Practical | 3 | 3.00 | 9.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 20.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 144.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 36.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
Online activities and MCQs as well as a project tracking dietary information and physical activity. Equally time for background reading, discussion and preparation for debate.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Formative feedback will be provided to students on their performance during the assessed debate. The in-course MCQ will also allow for progression monitoring in semester 2. MCQs may also be delivered in-class for feedback and discussion. Feedback on the energy balance worksheet will provide a further opportunity for students to obtain formative feedback on performance and understanding.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Presentation | Assessed 20 min group debate on the most important lab-based assessed parameter of fitness for performance | 25.00 |
| In-course MCQ | MCQ covering data analysis/ handing and semester 1 content | 25.00 |
| In-course Assessment | Worksheet to assess performance and understanding of the field-based energy balance practical | 20.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 70.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Open Book exam | 48 hr 00 mins | 30.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 30.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 13/11/2020 08:19:16
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