Faculty of Business: Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject examines the role of physical exercise as a therapeutic adjunct in the amelioration of certain chronic medical conditions. It focuses on developing a strong understanding of the physiological, biomechanical, psychological and sociological limitations of these chronic medical conditions as well as developing proficiency in the skills required for individualised prescription of exercise programs for special populations.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Understand the physiological, biomechanical and psychological exercise limitations particular to specified chronic medical conditions.
2. Recognise the role of exercise as a therapeutic adjunct in the amelioration of injury resulting from sport, exercise disease and the workplace.
3. Identify chronic medical conditions relevant to the work injured population.
4. Prescribe, monitor and progress an exercise rehabilitation program for various community, sport and workplace populations.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject is an elective in the BA Human Movement Studies and the BA Sport and Exercise Management programs and provides conceptual knowledge and skills related to the biomechanical, physiological and behavioural aspects of human movement related to exercise rehabilitation for disease, sport and the workplace.

Teaching and learning strategies

There is a commitment to a practical approach in this subject underpinned by a strong theoretical understanding of anatomy, disease, disability and injury. Students are expected to have read the written material before class each week, to facilitate discussion. From time to time, guest lectures may be invited to present particular topics, and video and other media may be used where appropriate. Laboratory sessions will be used for development of 'hands on' skills and teaching of theory in context. The subject content is also supported electronically by UTSOnline.

Content

• Coronary heart disease/ cardiac rehabilitation and exercise - disease states, epidemiology, risk factors, physical activity
• Arthritis, asthma, diabetes, stroke and exercise - mechanisms, risk factors, treatment, guidelines, exercise and rehabilitation
• Injury in the workplace - aetiology, prevalence, symptoms, effect on functional capacities, ergonomics, lower back injuries
• Pregnancy and exercise - stages of pregnancy, benefits of exercise, exercise prescription
• Obesity and exercise - mortality and obesity, prevalence, causes, measurement, treatment, role of exercise, exercise prescription and guidelines
• Developmental disabilities and exercise

Assessment

Exercise rehabilitation program – written report and seminar (Individual)	45%
This addresses objective 4.
Rehabilitation Unit Visit (Individual)	20%
This addresses objectives 1-4.
Final Examination (Individual)	35%
This addresses objectives 1-3.

Examinations will be conducted under University examination conditions, and hence thoroughly address concerns regarding secure assessment. The exercise rehabilitation program and rehabilitation unit visit will be secure through a combination of continual updating of assessment across semesters, multiple topic choice within semesters and/or plagiarism detection software. Further, a statement of independent work is included on every assignment cover sheet.

Recommended text(s)

Prentice, W. E. (2001). Rehabilitation Techniques in Sports Medicine, 3rd edition. Sydney: McGraw-Hill.

Indicative references

Brukner, P. & Kahn, K. (2002). Clinical Sports Medicine. 2nd edition. Sydney: McGraw-Hill.

Heyward, V.H. (1998). Advanced Fitness Assessment & Exercise Prescription, 3rd edition. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics.

Menezes, A. (1998). The Complete Guide to the Pilates Method. Nth Sydney, Australia: Ahead in Marketing.

Roberts, S.O., Robergs, R.A. & Hansen, P. (eds) (1997). Clinical Exercise Testing and Prescription: Theory and Application. New York: CRC Press.

Schamberger, W. (2002). The Malalignment Syndrome – Implications for Medicine and Sport. UK: Churchill Livingstone.