Outline

Overview

This unit focuses on developing an understanding of how circadian rhythm impacts athletic performance. The relationship between personal best performance and circadian phenotypes is examined through the predictors of peak performance time and optimal performance. There is an emphasis on the importance of aligning the body clock with the external environment for both health and sports performance. The unit also covers concepts of sleep as a performance enhancer, temporal variation in physiological variables, over-training, muscle damage and fatigue and recovery strategies.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Movement Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Chin Moi Chow, chin-moi.chow@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Daniel Hackett, daniel.hackett@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Chin Moi Chow, chin-moi.chow@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Anju Verma, anju.verma@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Zohreh Sajadi Hezaveh, zohreh.sajadihezaveh@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	EXSS2036 Final exam MCQ and short-answer questions (2 hours plus 10mins reading time)	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Online Quizzes In-class online quizzes: Wk7 (3%), Wk9 (3%), Wk12 (4%).	10%	Multiple weeks	20 - 40 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Early feedback task In-class online quiz (#earlyfeedbacktask)	0%	Week 03 Due date: 13 Mar 2025 at 18:00	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	EXSS2036 Oral Presentation Oral presentation in scheduled tutorial time on 2nd and 3rd April.	30%	Week 06 Due date: 03 Apr 2025 at 23:59	10 minutes per Team
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	EXSS2036 Video Podcast in pairs. Video podcast as a supportive resource in engaging in learning activities. Evaluation will include a group mark for content and an individual mark for presentation skills.	20%	Week 08 Due date: 17 Apr 2025 at 23:59	Video 5 min +/- 1 min
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = AI allowed ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Final exam: Written exam, short answer questions and MCQ. Worth 40%.
Presentation (group): Oral presentation worth 30% (see details on Canvas for submission of slides etc). An Absent Fail (AF) will be awarded for non-contribution (therefore no submission) by a team member and deductions apply for students who have had a lesser contribution to others in the group.
One in-class online Early feedback task (0%).
Three in-class online quizzes worth a total of 10%.
Video podcast submission (evaluation will include a group mark for content and an individual mark for presentation skills) worth 20%

The early feedback task is not compulsory. Two of three in-class quizzes are required to be submitted to avoid an absent fail grade (AF). A submission is required for all other assessments to avoid an absent fail grade (AF). The details for assessment requirements will be available on CANVAS.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
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.

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

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Standard late penalties will apply for assessments that are not submitted on time unless a simple extension or special consideration is granted. An Absent Fail for the unit will be awarded for non-submission of any assessment.

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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Unit of study Lecture: Sleep	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Lecture: Overview of circadian rhythms; Sleep	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Practical: Chronotype and peak performance time	Practical (2 hr)
Week 03	Lecture: Sleep and exercise performance; sleep deprivation/restriction and sleep promotion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Tutorial 1 Balancing the clock and the need: Exploring sleep homeostasis and circadian timing	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Lecture: Exercise on sleep; Keeping an internal sense of time	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Lecture: Keeping an internal sense of time; The circadian molecular clock and circ rhythmicity	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Lecture: Circadian alignment and misalignment. Oral presentation: Chronotype and performance.	Presentation (2 hr)
Week 07	Lecture: Variability in athletic performance 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Tutorial 2 Rhythms of performance: Understanding the body’s clock for better sleep and training	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Lecture: Variability in athletic performance 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Lecture: Muscle damage and fatigue	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Tutorial 3 Circadian rhythm entrainment and disruption: Factors influencing alignment and re-alignment	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Lecture: Muscle damage and fatigue; strategies for recovery	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Lecture: Circadian medicine 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Tutorial 4 Examining the relationship between exercise timing and muscle fatigue: How the skeletal muscle clock is affected by circadian disruption and the implications for athlete recovery strategies	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Lecture: Circadian medicine 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Review lectures	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance and participation are required for:

Week 2: Practical Session (+ select own team in class)

Week 3,7,9,12: Tutorial session + In-class online quiz + instruction/practice for video podcast(and selection of partner for this activity)

Week 6: Oral Presentation and submission of slides

Week 8: Submission of video podcast

Week 15/16 Final Exam

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Demonstrate knowledge in the physiology of sleep and sleep as a performance enhancer
LO2. Comprehend the entrainment concept of the body clock and the external environment cue of light-dark cycle
LO3. Apply the knowledge of light and exercise as zeitgebers to phase-shifting and its application to circadian misalignments
LO4. Demonstrate competency in the skills of: a) reporting (data gathering, analysis and interpretation) b) oral presentation (organisation & visualisation; communication skills)
LO5. Recognise the impact of circadian timing on physiological, physical and cognitive performance
LO6. Understand the underlying chronotype on optimal athletic performance
LO7. Understand the circadian rhythms of muscle strength and fatigue and strategies for recovery

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

Responding to student feedback

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

- We thank those who provided positive feedback and kind remarks. - The assignment has been changed from an infographic to a video podcast to offer a distinct learning experience and avoid duplication with EXSS2035.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

The Work Health and Safety practical induction checklist must be completed by each student in consultation with the tutor.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EXSS2036: The Body Clock and Athletic Performance

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links