27308 Exercise Management for Special Populations

Subject level: Undergraduate

Handbook description

This subject examines the aetiology of lifestyle and clinically relevant diseases with a focus on physical activity and exercise. The subject presents information relating to the physical and mental health benefits of physical activity and exercise for health under various physiological and metabolic conditions. Students develop an understanding of the factors that determine, influence and modify the physical activity habits of individuals and whole populations who may present with, or be at risk of various disease states. This subject reinforces principles and practice of technical skills required of the exercise scientist. Students develop competencies in assessment of cardiorespiratory health, muscular and orthopaedic performance and clinical exercise stress testing central to professional practice in the health and fitness setting.

Subject objectives/outcomes

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

1. Understand the factors underpinning the development of lifestyle-related diseases
2. Identify and measure physical performance of those at risk of and with known disease
3. Demonstrate professional practices of exercise management in the health and fitness setting
4. Describe the common barriers to participating physical activity, the consequences of low activity and methods to promote physical activity in individuals and whole populations.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject is in the core of the BA Human Movement Studies program and provides students with conceptual knowledge and skills related to the management and prescription of exercise for diseased populations. It focuses on both the professional, analytical and technical skills required for exercise scientists in the health and fitness setting.

Teaching and learning strategies

Teaching and learning strategies include formal lectures, guest lectures, demonstrations and laboratory exercises. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• Exercise prescription and management for individuals with cardiopulmonary diseases
• Exercise prescription and management for individuals with musculoskeletal, neurological and metabolic diseases
• The aetiology of diseases related to hypokinesia
• Basic isokinetic dynamometry procedures for the assessment and quantification of musculoskeletal function
• Laboratory assessment of clinical issues associated with cardiopulmonary diseases
• Outline of the commonly prescribed medication which may influence the heart rate, blood pressure and electrocardiograph responses to exercise
• Issues faced by athletes with a disability
• Promoting physical activity in the community.

Assessment

Examinations will be conducted under University examination conditions, and hence thoroughly address concerns regarding secure assessment. The submission of the group project will be secure with the inclusion of individual raw data sheets, the inclusion of individual reflections on the results received, a statement of independent work on the cover sheet and a marking procedure aimed at detecting plagiarism.

Recommended text(s)

Skinner, J. (2005). Exercise Testing And Exercise Prescription For Special Cases: Theoretical Basis and Clinical Application, 3rd edition. Philadelphia, USA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Indicative references

LeMura, L. & von Duvillard, S. (2006). Clinical Exercise Physiology: Application and Physiological Principles. Philadelphia, USA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

American College of Sports Medicine (2006). Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 7th edition. Philadelphia, USA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

American College of Sports Medicine (2006). ACSM's Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 5th edition. Philadelphia, USA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Clarke, J. (2006). A Clinical Guide to Inherited Metabolic Diseases. London: Cambridge University Press.

Hertling, D. & Kessler, R. (2005). Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders: Physical Therapy Principles and Methods, 4th edition. Philadelphia, USA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.