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Functional Anatomy and Exercise Physiology

  • Module code: LS4009
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 4
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This is a core module in the Sport and Exercise Sciences field.  The module is designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of functional anatomy and physiology, particularly the skeletal, neural, muscular, metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.  The focus will be on the understanding of the biomechanics of movement and the physiological adjustments in response to the demands of sport and exercise.

Aims

  • To provide the knowledge and understanding of the organisation of the skeleton, bones, joints and muscles within the major regions.
  • To identify the main functional features of the skeletal, muscular and neurological anatomies of the major muscles, bones and joints of the human body.
  • To introduce the biomechanics of movement.
  • To provide the knowledge and understanding of the organisation of physiological systems used extensively during exercise, their structure, function and changes needed to deliver demands of exercise.
  • To introduce a range of laboratory based methods for biomechanical and physiological assessment.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Name the main anatomical features, and describe the functional skeletal, muscular and neurological anatomies of the major muscles, bones and joints of the human body.
  • Identify and describe the structure, function and interaction of systems used extensively in exercise, particularly the neural, muscular, metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
  • Evaluate data from physiological and biomechanical assessment.
  • Use practical equipment accurately and demonstrate awareness of, and basic competency of sport and exercise laboratory equipment.
  • Demonstrate key skills of communication, numeracy, ICT, teamwork and develop independent skills.

Curriculum content

  • The functional anatomy of the human body, its major regions and their surface landmarks.
  • Types of joint found in the body, their structure and function.  Relationship between joint stability and flexibility.  Methods for assessing flexibility and use of data in exercise prescription.
  • Bone and muscle structure at the microscopic level and how skeletal muscle is innervated to act.
  • Functional anatomy of the neurological, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. 
  • The biomechanics of movement.
  • Adjustments needed by the neurological, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems to deliver demands made by exercise.  Energy pathways/Acid/base balance, role of buffers.
  • Introduction to a range of laboratory methods used for biomechanical and physiological analysis, e.g. spirometry, flexibility, ECG, body composition, respiratory exchange ratio, VO2 max; length-tension and force velocity relations.

Teaching and learning strategy

Learning will be led by lectures, workshops, seminars and laboratory practical sessions in order to develop and practice the skills necessary to confidently and competently conduct basic anatomical and physiological assessment and to provide the essential underpinning science for later modules.  Lectures are used to provide core information on the basic functional anatomy and physiology in relation to exercise.  The module will be taught through direct practical experience and complemented by seminars.  Practical sessions are designed to offer the student kinaesthetic experience of theories and concepts and seminars to offer interactive task based learning.  Much of the learning is achieved through formative practical challenges, directed independent study tasks, group work and/or class discussion, creative problem solving (case studies) formative presentations and peer-evaluation. The knowledge-based materials for the module are provided by the module team on Canvas. These consist of (but not limited to) notes, diagrams, research articles and multi-media. It is an expectation that students arrive to practical and seminar sessions having completed the pre-directed study tasks and use Canvas to enhance their understanding, remaining up to date with the weekly reading. These tasks will allow students to monitor both progress through feedback from peers and summative assessment and feed forward advice to develop understanding.

In summary the module will be made up of keynote lectures, seminars, practical sessions and independent guided study.

Total module study time, classes and independent study = 300 hours.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching Lectures 48h Workshops 12h Seminars 10h 70
Guided independent study 230
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

Lecture, seminar and laboratory sessions will provide practical feed forward guidance and formative experimental opportunities to help students achieve their full potential in the summative assessment.  Further formative assessment will be provided through use of progress MCQ tests on the virtual learning environment.  The summative assessment will comprise three components, a viva voce exam, coursework and an end of module in-class test.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
1) Name the main anatomical features, and describe the functional skeletal, muscular and neurological anatomies of the major muscles, bones and joints of the human body. Practical exam / Coursework / MCQ Test (S). Group work/ lab tasks (F).
2) Identify and describe the structure, function and interaction of systems used extensively in exercise, particularly the neural, muscular, metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Coursework/MCQ Test(S). Group work/ lab tasks (F).
3) Evaluate data from physiological and/or biomechanical assessment. Coursework /MCQ Test(S). Group work/ lab tasks (F).
4) To use practical equipment accurately and demonstrate awareness of, and basic competency of sport and exercise laboratory equipment. Coursework (S). Group work/ lab tasks (F).
5) Demonstrate key skills of communication, numeracy, ICT, teamwork and develop independent skills. Formatively assessed in seminars and laboratory through laboratory group work and data collection. Summative assessment in practical exam and coursework assignment.

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
In-class test Written exam 30
Viva Voce Practical exam 30
Lab report or manual Coursework 40
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any major element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Bartlett, R. (2006). Introduction to Sports Biomechanics. London: E and FN Spon.

Marieb, E.N. (2006). Human Anatomy and Physiology (5th edition). San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings.

McArdle W D, Katch F I & Katch V L (2009). Exercise Physiology Energy Nutrition And Human Performance. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Powers S K, Howley E H (2012). Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance. McGraw-Hill (7th edition).

Bibliography recommended reading

Åstrand P-O (2003). Textbook of Work Physiology: Physiological Bases of Exercise, (4th Ed). Human Kinetics.

Hall, S. J. (2007).  Basic Biomechanics. McGraw-Hill, Boston.

Hay, J. G. (1993).  The Biomechanics of Sports Techniques. London: Prentice-Hall.

Heyward V, A (2006) Advanced Fitness Assessment & Exercise Prescription-5th Edition. Human Kinetics.

Maud and Foster (2006)  Physiological Assessment of Human Fitness. Human Kinetics (2nd Edition).

McGinnis, P.M. (2004).  Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Wilmore J H, Costill D L & Kenney W L (2008) Physiology of Sport & Exercise. Human Kinetics, Leeds.

Nigg, B.M. and Herzog, W. (2007).  Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System. Chichester, UK: John Wiley and Sons.

Watkins, J (1999).  Structure and Function of the Musculoskeletal System. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Winter E M et al (2007). Sport and Exercise Physiology Testing Guidelines. The BASES Guide. Volume: Sport Testing.  Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. 

W E M et al (2007). Sport and Exercise Physiology Testing Guidelines.  The BASES Guide. Volume 2: Exercise and Clinical Testing.  Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. 

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