Skip to main content
Unit of study_

EXSS5102: Assessment and the Exercise Physiologist

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit focuses on the development of understanding and skills relating to assessment in Accredited Exercise Physiology practice. This includes measurement tools/techniques for assessing exercise capacity and clinical and functional status for application in target pathology domains. Content is delivered in the broader context of case management in the healthcare system framework. This includes understanding of non-AEP assessment (such as medicines information), and the development of core clinical skills such as clinical communication, reporting, referral and professional conduct.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EXSS5102
Academic unit Movement Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
EXSS5103
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Nathan Johnson, nathan.johnson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Amanda Semaan, amanda.semaan@sydney.edu.au
Timothy English, tim.english@sydney.edu.au
Jennifer Fleeton, jennifer.fleeton@sydney.edu.au
Daniel Hackett, daniel.hackett@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
In-semester test (Record+) Type B in-semester exam hurdle task ECG Practical and Theory
Skills based evaluation
25% Week 07
Due date: 23 Apr 2021 at 15:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO6 LO7
Online task Practical quiz
Practical quiz
5% Week 07
Due date: 23 Apr 2021 at 14:00
20 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Client Interview and Practical Skills Assessment
Skills based evaluation
45% Week 11 60 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Skills-based evaluation Case Management / Documentation Assessment Task
Skills based evaluation
25% Week 12 Clinical Record: 2 pg Referral: 1 page
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type B in-semester exam = Type B in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

ECG Assessment: Canvas skills-based task involving set-up of 12-lead ECG with real client. Interpretation and course of action for various ECG anomalies.

Client Interview and Practical Skills: The first part of this task will assess your ability to conduct a client interview. You will be assessed on your interview structure, professionalism, ethical conduct and communication and questioning skills with a real client. The second part involves the selection and conduct of a suite of exercise assessments with your client.

Case Management/Documentation Task: This task will require you to submit clinical documentation from your Client Interview and Practical Skills Assessment. You will also be required to make a clinical referral to another health care professional for your client based on your Client Interview and Practical Skills Assessment. 

Assessment criteria


Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Exceptional knowledge of exercise physiology assessments

Distinction

75 - 84

High level of knowledge of exercise physiology assessments

Credit

65 - 74

Good level of knowledge of exercise physiology assessments

Pass

50 - 64

Basic level of knowledge of exercise physiology assessments

Fail

0 - 49

Learning outcomes of the unit are not met to a satisfactory standard. There is a risk of harm to patients with the lack of knowledge and skill demonstrated

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.

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:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. However, a unit of study may prohibit late submission or exclude late penalties only if expressly stated below.

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 Risk Assessment: risk assessment and stratification tools; implementation; assessments within the pre-screening including anthropometry; cardiometabolic disease identification/diagnosis, prevalence and burden. Lecture (2 hr)  
Health Screening: implementing a pre-exercise screen including anthropometry, identification of overweight/obesity, cardiovascular disease risk; point of care blood testing, referring onwards, monitoring and professional practice. Practical (2 hr)  
Week 02 Assessment of Aerobic Fitness: assessment choice, selection and suitability with respect to referral, client, Rx. What and Why: battery of standard aerobic tests (submaximal and maximal); laboratory vs. field issues; modality, validity and reliability. First Aid/CPR including formulation of management strategies and reporting. Lecture (2 hr)  
Implementing a submaximal aerobic exercise assessment: demonstrate functional and “submaximal” aerobic exercise tests, including instruction, monitoring and feedback, using different modalities and equipment. Practical (2 hr)  
Week 03 Assessment of Aerobic Fitness: Critical evaluation and assumptions of tests, pre-assessment preparation (equipment & client including medications) and implementation; interpretation and application of assessment data, normative data etc. Lecture (2 hr)  
Implementing a maximal aerobic exercise assessment: demonstrate maximal aerobic exercise tests, including instruction, monitoring and feedback, using different equipment. Including responses and management strategies for emergency and first aid, and reporting. Practical (2 hr)  
Week 04 Assessment of Muscular Fitness: battery of standard muscular fitness tests including flexibility and resistance exercise using machine, free weight and body weight; relevance/appropriateness for clinical situations; validity and reliability; critical evaluation and assumptions of tests, pre-assessment preparation (equipment & client including medications) and implementation; interpretation and application of assessment data. Lecture (2 hr)  
Implementing a resistance exercise assessment: demonstrate functional (e.g. sit-to-stand) and maximal muscular fitness exercise tests, including instruction, monitoring and feedback, using different modalities and equipment. Practical (2 hr)  
Week 05 (e-lecture) Cardiovascular Disease Assessment (ECG): Fundamental ECG: depolarisation, repolarisation, representation of ECG to cardiac cycle, normal ECG, abnormal rate and rhythms and appropriate course of action. Independent study (2 hr)  
ECG 1: Identifying the relationship between the ECG trace and the cardiac cycle. Interpretation of single lead ECG abnormalities including calculation of rate and identifying common arrhythmias and the appropriate course of action. Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 06 Cardiovascular Disease Assessment (ECG): 12-lead ECG: myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, left and right axis deviation, left and right bundle branch block, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, electrolyte disturbances and digitalis toxicity and appropriate course of action. Lecture (2 hr)  
ECG 2: Interpretation of 12-lead ECG abnormalities including myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, left and right axis deviation, left and right bundle branch block and appropriate course of action. Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 07 Client History, Communication and Case Management: taking a client history; attributes of communication essential for a health care professional (verbal, non-verbal, trust, rapport, empathy, active listening & feedback) Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 08 Client History, Communication and Case Management: written communication including documentation (SOAP notes) & client communication, inter-professional communication and referrals, academic honesty, record keeping. Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 09 Advanced Communication/Cultural Competency: identify one’s own culture (beyond ethnicity), ensure adequate preparation and communication skills to work with patients in a way that recognises and respects diversity; role of culture in social determinants of health; client centred language and terminology for culturally safe practice Lecture (2 hr)  
Client History & Communication: verbal and nonverbal communication via reviewing & interpreting a medical record, SOAP note writing, medical abbreviations, medical terminology Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 10 Advanced Communication/Cultural Competency: identify one’s own culture (beyond ethnicity), ensure adequate preparation and communication skills to work with patients in a way that recognises and respects diversity; role of culture in social determinants of health; client centred language and terminology for culturally safe practice Lecture (2 hr)  
Open Laboratory/Clinic Access: supervised self-directed implementation of client interview and exercise assessments, including taking a client history and aerobic, muscular fitness and ECG assessment. Practical (2 hr)  
Week 12 Assessment 2: feedback Lecture (2 hr)  
Assessment 2: follow-up Practical (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at practical and tutorial classes is compulsory.

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

Thompson, W.R. (Ed.). ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. 2018. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia.

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. Demonstrate professional conduct and practice in case management and clinical reporting which is consistent with the ESSA Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice, in a multidisciplinary care environment.
  • LO2. Apply and use comprehensive client pre-exercise evaluation including risk screening and safety management, and client history (including medications, medical and allied health treatments), for the implementation of safe physical activity assessments and interventions for people across the AEP cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, pulmonary and kidney domains.
  • LO3. Demonstrate the ability to select and implement measurement tools/techniques and guidelines for the assessment of clients’ clinical and functional status and safe delivery of physical activity interventions.
  • LO4. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiological bases for a broad range of conditions, to allow safe and effective engagement in physical activity in healthy and clinical populations, notably for people across the AEP cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, pulmonary and kidney domains.
  • LO5. Recognise and respond appropriately to adverse signs and symptoms at rest, during and post exercise.
  • LO6. Conduct a 12-lead ECG, and demonstrate the ability to identify arrhythmias.
  • LO7. Use effective and appropriate communication, including verbal and written with clients, referrer and other relevant stakeholders to deliver safe and effective client-centred care. This includes the reporting of assessment outcomes, changes in clinical status, and referrals.

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.

Last year we had to move online for all assessments - feedback from the students highlighted that some of this worked well, whilst other tasks would be best face-to-face. So this year (pandemic permitting) we are aiming to be back in the clinic for the major assessment task.

Work, health and safety

WHS Compliance Checklist must be completed in Week 1

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.