SHN5283 - Integrative Physiology and Biochemistry

Objectives:

On successful compltion of the module, you will be able to:

1 - Explain how the human body responds to different forms of stressors such as exercise and nutrition, the environment, fatigue, growth and maturation and health related stressors and be able to apply this knowledge to the practical measurement of physiological and nutritional variables;
2 - Communicate scientific information in a clear and coherent fashion in the form of written reports, using appropriate scientific language and statistical data analysis;
3 - Describe the stages of the scientific research process, including hypothesis generation, data collection, critical interpretation, and scientific writing; and,
4 - Demonstrate safe and ethical working within the field of sport and exercise science.

Content:

This module will examine the physiological and biochemistry responses to different forms of exercise and nutrition, the environment, fatigue, growth and maturation and health related stressors, focusing on the measurement and application of performance-based variables and health related assessment in relation to sport and exercise performance. Topics will explore further key fundamentals of nutrition such as digestion, absorption and excretion, metabolism of macronutrients and energy release during exercise. Nutrient requirements for exercising populations; the nature of body composition and the principles of energy balance will be explored. The role of macronutrients and micronutrients in exercise will be evaluated with specific considerations for how the consideration of these have an effect on dietary planning and the application to a range of athletes and how we can work with athletes to improve their food choices in line with the recommendations from research.

You will also be given the opportunity to develop key practical skills, understanding of key specialist software and learn how physiological and nutritional variables associated with these tests can be used to monitor and enhance performance. This module also examines and appraises contemporary research methods that are relevant for the analysis of the data collected.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The learning and teaching methods in this module will include a combination of lectures and practical. Lectures will introduce you to the weekly content of the module identifying key principles and underpinning theory knowledge. Lectures will be supported with asynchronous activities such as mini lectures summarising core theory. Practical laboratory sessions will focus on applying these underpinning theories via the collection of data relating to the module content. The lab sessions will also include tasks to develop your academic skills such as critiquing literature, scientific writing, and presentation skills. Directed tasks will scaffold progression throughout the module towards the assessment.

Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Practical
Hours: 30
Intended Group Size: 20 maximum

Guided independent study
Hours: 250



Further Details Relating to Assessment

The assessment for this module includes two key components: a laboratory clinical skills assessment and a laboratory portfolio.

Laboratory Clinical Skills and data interpretation Assessment (Mid-Semester): You will complete a laboratory clinical skills and data interpretation assessment in a group (n=2). This will consist of you demonstrating competency in relevant physiology skills for data collection and analysis. This assessment will be based upon skills that you have developed throughout the modular practical sessions. Following the demonstration you will then be required to interpret a set of data based upon the technique that has been demonstrated. The laboratory clinical skills assessment will be marked based on clear criteria for practical performance. Full details on the portfolio's make-up and marking criteria will be outlined in the Module Handbook.

Laboratory Report (End Semester): This will require you to to write up a study that was conducted during the module. Full details on the portfolio's make-up and marking criteria will be outlined in the Module Handbook.

Formative Assessment and Feedback: You will receive formative feedback throughout the module, especially during practical where you will have opportunities to test and improve your skills, with feedback provided to support your development before the summative assessments.

Ethical Approval: No formal research requiring ethical approval is expected within this module. However, should any project elements require ethical consideration these will align with standard procedures that ethics has been obtained for.

Marking Criteria: Standard university marking criteria will apply. Also details of assessment specific marking criteria, will be outlined in the Module Handbook.

Negotiated Assessment: If applicable, you may have the opportunity to negotiate certain aspects of your assessment (such as selecting a specific athlete or focus of the assessment), provided it meets the learning outcomes. This will be discussed with the module leader and agreed upon at an appropriate stage.

Please refer to the Module Handbook for full details on assessments, marking schemes, and feedback.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 5
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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