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Unit of study_

EXSS1032: Fundamentals of Exercise Science

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Cumberland, Sydney

The aim of this unit is to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of exercise science and an introduction to their application to physical activity, sport, fitness and health. A focus of Fundamentals of Exercise Science is the practical application of testing procedures to the measurement of physiological function. In this unit issues related to work (and its measurement), energy supply, physiological capacity and muscular fitness are covered, with emphasis on the integration of these concepts, the use of scientific rigour and evidence-based practice. Practical classes will cover various fundamental skills for exercise scientists including standard health screening procedures and the principles and practice aerobic and muscular fitness testing. Worksheets will include data presentation and analysis skills using excel software. The exercise prescription component of the unit introduces students to the concepts of programming for cardio-respiratory/aerobic and muscular fitness for healthy individuals. A major emphasis of the unit is the acquisition of laboratory based testing/assessment skills, and data handling and presentation skills.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EXSS1032
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Tim Davies, timothy.davies@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Practical skills assessment
Practical skills assessment
20% - 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO7
Final exam hurdle task Final exam
MCQ, short answer, calculations
60% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Practical worksheets
Practical worksheets
20% Multiple weeks To be added by the unit coordinator.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO7 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Practical worksheets: Four worksheets are included in each of weeks 3-6, 5% of the final grade will be awarded for each. Each excel worksheet which must be submitted online prior to the next class. 
  • Practical skills assessment: This is a graded assessment of your ability to perform tasks including basic anthropometry, blood pressure measurement, expired respiratory gas collection and analysis, ergometry and resistance exercise demonstration and assessment. In the case of a student not successfully demonstrating mastery of any one ‘mastery element’ in their practical exam, the student will need to re-sit the exam in week 10 until they can demonstrate mastery of that skill. ou must complete all the assessment tasks to pass the entire unit. Failure to complete any assessment item will result in you being awarded a Fail grade, regardless of your cumulative marks in the unit of study.
  • Final exam: Closed book exam covering the lecture/tutorial material of the entire unit. A mark of at least 40% in the end semester exam is required to be eligible to pass this unit of study

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Health screening and professional practice Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 02 Client interview and physical activity adoption Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 03 Physical activity and work, Energy calculations Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2
Week 04 Energy supply, ergometry, HR and BP in exercise Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Energy supply and Integration. Multistage exercise Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO7 LO8
Week 06 Physiological capacity, testing physiological capacity Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO7 LO8
Calculating maximal oxygen uptake Online class (1 hr) LO2
Week 07 Resistance exercise instruction theory and practice, application of VO2 calculations Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO7
Week 08 Practise written exam and feedback with peer assessment Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 10 Muscular fitness testing Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Week 11 Resistance training prescription Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Cardio-respiratory fitness prescription Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Review Lecture (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: It is a requirement that you attend at least 80% of classes for this unit (10 of the 12 contact weeks, Wk1-8 and 10-13), Faliure to do so without prior permission from the Co-ordinator, or approved Special Consideration, may result in an Absent Fail grade awarded

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the rationale for, and apply risk stratification criteria in pre-exercise screening
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the principles of aerobic and muscular fitness assessment
  • LO3. demonstrate practical competency using basic assessment tools employed by exercise scientists including the application of aerobic and muscular fitness tests in apparently healthy low-risk adults
  • LO4. apply concepts of exercise prescription for cardiorespiratory/aerobic and muscular fitness in apparently healthy low-risk adults
  • LO5. apply the fundamental principles of exercise prescription to novel contexts with a rudimentary demonstration of research-led practice
  • LO6. demonstrate skill in information literacy and scientific methodology
  • LO7. demonstrate basic professional skills including the ability to communicate in oral form effectively, and provide written and graphical summaries
  • LO8. demonstrate skills in data entry presentation and analysis using simple software.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the final running of the unit prior to retirement. As such lecture material will be provided online and supported by tutorial discussion and practical exercises.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Work, health and safety

Completion of a WHS briefing is required prior to practical classes

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.