Skip to main content
Unit of study_

EXSS3050: Exercise Across the Lifespan

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit covers the rationale and recommendations for the use of exercise and the promotion of physical activity from childhood through to old age, including those with chronic disease and disability. The student will explore evidence for the contribution of exercise to psychological health and well-being, improvement in body composition associated with poor health outcomes, and for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and disability, including cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, cognitive impairment, depression, diabetes, obesity, vascular disease, renal failure, and mobility impairment . Appropriate exercise modalities for older adults and implementing the exercise prescription in those with chronic disease and frailty as well as promoting behavioural change will also be taught.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EXSS3050
Academic unit Movement Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
EXSS2022 and EXSS2028 and EXSS3023
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Maria Fiatarone Singh, maria.fiataronesingh@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Guy Wilson, guy.wilson@sydney.edu.au
Trinidad Valenzuela Arteaga, t.valenzuela@sydney.edu.au
Kenneth Daniel, kenneth.daniel@sydney.edu.au
Kanchana Ekanayake, kanchana.ekanayake@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Videos of Assessments
Submission of videos demonstrating competence in the 4 assessment domains
20% Multiple weeks
Due date: 24 Sep 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 05 Nov 2021
Approximately 15-20 minute video x 4
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Skills-based evaluation Endnote library Creation
Computer literacy skills assessment
10% Week 03
Due date: 20 Aug 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 03 Sep 2021
To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO9
Assignment Complex case and synopsis
Oral presentation with slides and written synopsis
20% Week 12
Due date: 02 Nov 2021 at 13:00

Closing date: 16 Nov 2021
10 minute powerpoint; 3 pages written
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO10 LO11 LO12
Assignment group assignment Clinical exercise program description
Written assignment and design
50% Week 13
Due date: 13 Nov 2021 at 23:00

Closing date: 26 Nov 2021
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO10 LO11 LO13
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Endnote library creation: Students are to create endnote library relevant to chosen exercise medicine topic that will form the basis for the clinical exercise facility design assignment. These libraries are to be prepared individually, but will then be combined within each group to create the resources for the design of the clinical exercise facility.
  • Tutorial participation: Students are required to demonstrate compentency with database searching and creation of an ENDNOTE library, assessment of muscle function frailty and sarcopenia, functional performance assessment of mobility, assessment of body composition, nutritional status and cognitve status. This will be assessed by review of videos they upload of themselves performing the required assessments on another adult via a zoom session or in person depending on Covid restrictions.
  • Complex case and synopsis: Students are to design and defend an evidence-based and feasible assessment and exercise prescription for a complex patient with multiple co-morbidities, physical and behavioural barriers to exercise adoption and adherence.
  • Clinical exercise program description: Design a comprehensive exercise facility modified for individuals with a specific chronic which is evidence-based, safe, and effective, and includes a strong rationale based on a referenced review of the literature, and plans for the physical building, protocols for staff training and competencies, types of programming and equipment, means for behavioural change implementation, quality assurance and safety monitoring protocols, and integration within the health care system and communication of results to other health care providers. 

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 1. Introduction to course 2. Reviewing the literature and overview of assessments 3. DATABASE SEARCHING AND ENDNOTE LIBRARY TUTORIAL Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 02 Medical screening and assessments during exercise in clinical cohorts lecture Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 03 Sarcopenia and Frailty Lecture Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)  
Week 04 STRENGTH TESTING AND TRAINING AND SARCOPENIA SCREENING TUTORIAL Tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 05 1. Falls and gait disorders lecture 2. Osteoporosis and hip fracture lecture Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 06 PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE TESTING TUTORIAL Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 07 BODY COMPOSITION/NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT TUTORIAL Tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 08 Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Lecture Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 09 COGNITIVE SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT TUTORIAL Tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 10 Osteoarthritis Lecture Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 11 Cancer Lecture Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 12 Individual complex case presentations in class Presentation (4 hr)  
Week 13 1. Peripheral vascular disease lecture 2. Renal disease lecture Lecture (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: There are 3-4 hours total of lectures and/or tutorial sessions each week, most within the same time block. Attendance and participation in the live online sessions is strongly recommended for all lectures and for all tutorials, as all material is needed for the completion of your assignments successfully.

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

These will be posted on Canvas each week along with the slides.

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. The principal objective is for you to gain an ability to critically evaluate the evidence and apply this evidence about the relationship of exercise and physical activity to growth, development and ageing, and to the prevention and treatment of chronic disease and disability via appropriate physical activity strategies. Special attention will be given to age-related changes in physiology that are important in exercise capacity and participation in physical activity, as well as the types of exercise prescriptions which are useful for health maintenance, disease prevention, and disease treatment in older adults of all fitness levels.
  • LO2. Articles in peer-reviewed journals based on research investigations and systematic reviews of the literature are the basic mode of communication among scientists and health care professionals. It is important to be able to critically review journal articles as well as to write clearly and concisely in a scientific and evidence-based format. The skills of searching computerised databases for published articles on a particular topic, organizing them into a personal reference library, and understanding how the findings of studies are summarised in a brief review of the literature will be taught in this course. The ability to synthesise and convey the information covered in this course in an oral presentation about a clinical case, in an Endnote reference library, and in the written presentation of a comprehensive exercise program will be assessed.
  • LO3. Develop scientific and clinical writing and presentation skills that communicate the findings of a group of investigations of a topic in a clear and concise way.
  • LO4. Learn and apply the basics of the prescription of the appropriate modality, frequency, intensity, and volume of exercise for the promotion of health and targeting of common health related concerns of childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, as well as healthy ageing, and chronic diseases of the ageing population.
  • LO5. Demonstrate competence in the assessment maximal dynamic strength (1RM testing) using weight lifting machines and free weights and objective and subjective perceived exertion scales, as well as how to safely conduct power testing and training, including an understanding of modifications needed for underlying diseases and disabilities in older adults or clinical cohorts.
  • LO6. Demonstrate competence in the performance of body composition assessments with precision including height, weight, waist circumference and calf and mid-arm circumference as well as administer questionnaires about metabolic risk and malnutrition.
  • LO7. Demonstrate competence in the measurement of performance-based tests of function, including habitual, maximal, and dual task gait velocity, chair stand time, static and dynamic balance, and 6-minute walk testing, and interpretation of test results with respect to age- and cohort-related normative data.
  • LO8. Demonstrate competence in the conduct and interpretation of screening questionnaires/tools for assessment of frailty, sarcopenia, insomnia, cognitive impairment, fear of falling, and undernutrition in clinical cohorts.
  • LO9. Demonstrate Computer Literacy Skills, including how to: • Utilise the library and librarian resources • Initiate interlibrary loans • Access computerised databases of scientific and medical literature • Download references into a personal ENDNOTE library, save the search strategy, and create an electronic reference library with sub-folders using ENDNOTE • Review the scientific peer-reviewed literature for a particular topic • Preparing a written comprehensive design with appropriate referencing for a clinical exercise facility to treat a particular chronic disease or condition relevant to exercise programming and assessment in a clinical cohort.
  • LO10. • Using an epidemiological and experimental evidence base, discuss the relationship of exercise and physical activity to growth, development and ageing • Using an epidemiological and experimental evidence base, discuss the relationship of exercise and physical activity to the prevention and treatment of chronic disease and disability • Explain the age-related and disease-related changes in physiology and body composition that are important for exercise capacity and participation in physical activity and disease burden • Using an epidemiological and experimental evidence base, describe the types of exercise prescriptions which are useful for health maintenance, disease prevention, and disease treatment in older adults of all fitness levels
  • LO11. • Explain the principles and procedures of pre-exercise prescription and risk assessments • Outline the prescription for the appropriate modality, frequency, intensity, and volume of exercise for the promotion of health and targeting of common health related concerns of childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, as well as healthy ageing, and chronic diseases and syndromes of the ageing population • Describe the risks of exercise and the ways to screen for potential problems and minimise them • Discuss practical implementation of physical activity programs in health care settings and health policy relevant to physical activity promotion in the community.
  • LO12. • Construct a case study of a complex patient, and defend the plan for exercise assessment and treatment in this patient presenting with complex chronic disease and co- morbidities relevant to physical activity in both oral presentation with slides and written description with references
  • LO13. Design a comprehensive exercise facility modified for individuals with a specific chronic which is evidence-based, safe, and effective, and includes a strong rationale based on a referenced review of the literature, plans for the physical building, protocols for staff training and competencies, types of programming and equipment, means for behavioural change implementation, quality assurance and safety monitoring protocols, integration within the health care system and communication of results to other health care providers.

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.

Additional time for tutorial participation Less group work

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.