Outline

Overview

This unit discusses the acute responses to exercise with a specific emphasis on the roles of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems in oxygen transport and the significance of sub-maximal and maximal oxygen consumption in the limitations to performance. The concepts of acid-base balance during exercise and of lactate and ventilatory thresholds will be examined. Furthermore, this unit develops an understanding of the specific metabolic response to exercise at the peripheral cellular level and the biochemical strategies that maintain energy balance during exercise and a return to homeostasis in recovery. Students will put theory into practice with laboratory tasks that encourage skill acquisition in the collection of real-time physiological data of the respiratory and cardiovascular response to exercise.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	EXSS2017 or EXSS2019
Assumed knowledge ?	BIOS1167 and EXSS1032
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Kieron Rooney, kieron.rooney@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Chin Moi Chow, chin-moi.chow@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Fiona Halar, fiona.halar@sydney.edu.au
	Kenneth Daniel, kenneth.daniel@sydney.edu.au
	Sarah Carter, sarah.carter@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam	Online Final semester exam Short answer and MCQ	42%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quizzes MCQ	8%	Multiple weeks	20-40 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Take home tests Short answer	50%	Multiple weeks	45-60 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Practical skills assessment Skills based evaluation	0%	Week 03	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Practical skills assessment: You will be required to perform certain fundamental tasks in practical skills such as measuring heart rate, blood pressure and collection of ventilatory gases.
Quizzes: There are a total of 4 online quizzes consisting of multiple
choice questions made available throughout the semester.
Take home tests: The format for these tests will be a mix of short answer questions, graphs and short calculations.
Final semester exam: This exam covers lectures and tutorial materials from the entire 13 weeks of material as well as all practical classes. The format for this examination is a mix of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, graphs and short calculations.

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 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry (KR)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Acute Responses to changes in energy demand – O2, fuels; exercise intensity levels and responses (CMC)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Non-Oxidative Energy systems (KR)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Acute Responses to changes in energy demand – VO2 Kinetics, O2 Deficits and EPOC (CMC)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Practical 1 – barrier skills assessment	Practical (2 hr)
Week 03	Overview of Metabolic Pathways – Oxidative Phosphorylation (KR)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Acute Responses to changes in energy demand – VO2 Kinetics, O2 Deficits and EPOC (CMC)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Overview of metabolic pathways - oxidative phosphorylation (KR)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Acute responses to changes in energy demand - Ventilatory/lactate thresholds, acids and buffers (CMC)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 1	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Introduction to Fuel Utilisation during exercise – Integrating pathways, Crossover and FatMax (KR)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Gas exchange – Transport, Fick, Blood Flow and RQ (CMC)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Practical 2 – lactate threshold	Practical (2 hr)
Week 06	Introduction to Fuel Utilisation during exercise – Integrating pathways, Crossover and FatMax (KR)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Gas exchange – Transport, Fick, Blood Flow and RQ (CMC)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Practical 3 – arm vs leg exercise	Practical (2 hr)
Week 07	Fuel utilisation during exercise – Continuous, intermittent, fed vs fasted (KR)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Pulmonary Responses to acute exercise (CMC)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Fuel utilisation during exercise – Continuous, intermittent, fed vs fasted (KR)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Pulmonary Responses to acute exercise (CMC)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Metabolic signals of increasing energy demand (KR)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cardiovascular responses to acute exercise (CMC)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tutorial 2	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Metabolic signals of increasing energy demand (KR)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cardiovascular responses to acute exercise (CMC)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Practical 4 – fuel utilisation	Practical (2 hr)
Week 11	Neuroendocrine responses to acute exercise – Receptor activation and response (KR)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Hormonal regulation of fuel utilisation (KR)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Tutorial 3	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Hormonal regulation of fuel utilisation (KR)	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: You are expected to attend all lectures although during these sessions, attendance will not be graded. Tutorial attendance will be marked at every session. You are expected to attend these. Practical attendance will be marked at every session. You are required to attend these. While there is no grade provided for attendance, absences will be kept on record in the event of an external audit.

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.

Required readings

The Recommended text for this unit of study is:

Powers SK & Howley ET. Exercise Physiology (10th Ed) New York McGaw Hill 2012.

Students may additionally find the following text helpful for the Biochemistry component of this unit:

Tiidus P, Russell Tupling A, Houston ME. Biochemistry Primer for Exercise Science (2012) (4th Ed.) Human Kinetics

Learning outcomes

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. show competency in maintaining exercise testing specific skills for the accurate measurement of core outcomes specific to aerobic exercise testing including: blood pressure; heart rate; safe preparation for cycle testing; collection of ventilatory gases
LO2. understand how changes in metabolic rate dictate the need for regulation of gas exchange
LO3. describe oxygen and carbon dioxide transport mechanisms with specific reference to the Fick equation; blood flow re-distribution; RQ and RER; O2 saturation
LO4. describe the ventilatory response to exercise at constant and incremental work rate and to prolonged exercise
LO5. understand the vasomotor (arteriolar) and venomotor (venous) systems and their specific role in the regulation of cardiovascular responses to acute exercise
LO6. identify and describe mechanisms underscoring oxygen kinetics at exercise onset and in recovery and factors that influence acid buffer systems, ventilator threshold and anaerobic threshold
LO7. appreciate the role of the mitochondria in oxidative and non-oxidative ATP re-synthesis with specific reference to regulation of the electron transport chain, TCA cycle and shuttling of oxidation/reduction agents
LO8. describe the biochemical pathways by which macronutrients are stored and/or synthesised during rest and recovery as well as how they are catabolised during exercise at constant and incremental work rate as well as prolonged exercise
LO9. describe key hormones regulating metabolic responses to exercise at constant and incremental work rate and to prolonged exercise in addition to fuel mobilisation such as ionic and fluid regulation and protein synthesis.

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
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 2.3.3. Identify, describe, analyse and demonstrate a broad range of exercise modalities, and select appropriate exercises and equipment to suit the needs and abilities of clients. 4.3.2. Explain in simple, comprehensible language the risks of performing exercise and describe appropriate strategies to address these risks. 7.3.3. Explain the scientific rationale, purpose, reliability, validity, assumptions and limitations of common assessments. 7.3.5. Conduct appropriate pre-assessment procedures, including explaining the test, obtaining informed consent and a focused medical history, and performing a pre- exercise risk assessment. 7.3.7. Select, develop and conduct appropriate protocols for safe and effective assessments, including instructing clients on the correct use of equipment. 7.3.8. Record, analyse and interpret information from assessments and convey the results, including the accuracy and limitations of the assessments, through relevant verbal and/or written communication with the client or involved professional.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 3.3.1. Describe the function, regulation and interaction of physiological systems relating to exercise. 3.3.2. Describe the individual and integrated physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise. 3.3.5. Interpret, explain and analyse physiological data obtained during acute exercise, and compare such data between time points, individuals and populations. 3.3.6. Integrate knowledge of and skills in exercise physiology with other study areas of exercise science.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 3.3.1. Describe the function, regulation and interaction of physiological systems relating to exercise. 3.3.2. Describe the individual and integrated physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise. 3.3.3. Describe the physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise in various environmental conditions and the interactions with ‘ergogenic’ aids or technologies. 3.3.4. Apply knowledge of the physiological responses to acute exercise and the adaptations to chronic exercise to provide a rationale for the provision of exercise programs to improve and maintain specific aspects of health, fitness and performance. 3.3.5. Interpret, explain and analyse physiological data obtained during acute exercise, and compare such data between time points, individuals and populations. 3.3.6. Integrate knowledge of and skills in exercise physiology with other study areas of exercise science.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 3.3.1. Describe the function, regulation and interaction of physiological systems relating to exercise. 3.3.2. Describe the individual and integrated physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise. 3.3.3. Describe the physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise in various environmental conditions and the interactions with ‘ergogenic’ aids or technologies. 3.3.4. Apply knowledge of the physiological responses to acute exercise and the adaptations to chronic exercise to provide a rationale for the provision of exercise programs to improve and maintain specific aspects of health, fitness and performance. 3.3.5. Interpret, explain and analyse physiological data obtained during acute exercise, and compare such data between time points, individuals and populations. 3.3.6. Integrate knowledge of and skills in exercise physiology with other study areas of exercise science.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 3.3.1. Describe the function, regulation and interaction of physiological systems relating to exercise. 3.3.2. Describe the individual and integrated physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise. 3.3.3. Describe the physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise in various environmental conditions and the interactions with ‘ergogenic’ aids or technologies. 3.3.4. Apply knowledge of the physiological responses to acute exercise and the adaptations to chronic exercise to provide a rationale for the provision of exercise programs to improve and maintain specific aspects of health, fitness and performance. 3.3.5. Interpret, explain and analyse physiological data obtained during acute exercise, and compare such data between time points, individuals and populations. 3.3.6. Integrate knowledge of and skills in exercise physiology with other study areas of exercise science.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 3.3.1. Describe the function, regulation and interaction of physiological systems relating to exercise. 3.3.2. Describe the individual and integrated physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise. 3.3.3. Describe the physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise in various environmental conditions and the interactions with ‘ergogenic’ aids or technologies. 3.3.4. Apply knowledge of the physiological responses to acute exercise and the adaptations to chronic exercise to provide a rationale for the provision of exercise programs to improve and maintain specific aspects of health, fitness and performance. 3.3.5. Interpret, explain and analyse physiological data obtained during acute exercise, and compare such data between time points, individuals and populations. 3.3.6. Integrate knowledge of and skills in exercise physiology with other study areas of exercise science.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 3.3.1. Describe the function, regulation and interaction of physiological systems relating to exercise. 3.3.2. Describe the individual and integrated physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise. 3.3.3. Describe the physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise in various environmental conditions and the interactions with ‘ergogenic’ aids or technologies. 3.3.4. Apply knowledge of the physiological responses to acute exercise and the adaptations to chronic exercise to provide a rationale for the provision of exercise programs to improve and maintain specific aspects of health, fitness and performance. 3.3.5. Interpret, explain and analyse physiological data obtained during acute exercise, and compare such data between time points, individuals and populations. 3.3.6. Integrate knowledge of and skills in exercise physiology with other study areas of exercise science.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 3.3.1. Describe the function, regulation and interaction of physiological systems relating to exercise. 3.3.2. Describe the individual and integrated physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise. 3.3.3. Describe the physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise in various environmental conditions and the interactions with ‘ergogenic’ aids or technologies. 3.3.4. Apply knowledge of the physiological responses to acute exercise and the adaptations to chronic exercise to provide a rationale for the provision of exercise programs to improve and maintain specific aspects of health, fitness and performance. 3.3.5. Interpret, explain and analyse physiological data obtained during acute exercise, and compare such data between time points, individuals and populations. 3.3.6. Integrate knowledge of and skills in exercise physiology with other study areas of exercise science.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 3.3.1. Describe the function, regulation and interaction of physiological systems relating to exercise. 3.3.2. Describe the individual and integrated physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise. 3.3.3. Describe the physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise in various environmental conditions and the interactions with ‘ergogenic’ aids or technologies. 3.3.4. Apply knowledge of the physiological responses to acute exercise and the adaptations to chronic exercise to provide a rationale for the provision of exercise programs to improve and maintain specific aspects of health, fitness and performance. 3.3.5. Interpret, explain and analyse physiological data obtained during acute exercise, and compare such data between time points, individuals and populations. 3.3.6. Integrate knowledge of and skills in exercise physiology with other study areas of exercise science.

Responding to student feedback

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

Students have previously reported the take home tests to require more time than estimated. As such, in 2020 the take home test questions will be modified to more closely resemble student expectations. Prior to 2019 the unit was delivered in two distinct modules. 6 weeks of physiology and 6 weeks of Biochemistry separated by a Mid-Semester exam. In 2019, we trialled delivering the unit as a more integrated module of physiology and biochemistry and have further refined this delivery for 2020. In 2019, the rate at which feedback was provided for the take home tests was too slow. In 2020 we have been able to secure more staff for this unit to assist in grading assessments and delivering more rapid turn around.

Additional information

Student Administration Manual on the Faculty of Health Sciences

Work, health and safety

In our practical classes, some students will be expected to perform exercise to exhaustion while others will be responsible for handling biological tissue such as saliva, sweat and blood (finger prick sampling).

All protective gear including gloves, goggles and aprons will be provided to students tasked with sampling.

An induction for all safe procedures will be performed during respective practical classes.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EXSS2028: Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry

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

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links