Useful links
Unit of study_
OLET1514: Health Challenges: Physical Inactivity
2025 unit information
This unit of study has been developed by academics in the University's Charles Perkins Centre, an interdisciplinary education and research hub where researchers produce novel solutions to chronic disease. Physical activity is an inseparable part of human biology and evolution. Lack of it ("physical inactivity") causes chronic disease. Sadly we are still a population that doesn't embrace physical activity and its potential to have a transformative impact on chronic disease prevention and improve the quality of life into old age. This unit of study will provide students with an opportunity to develop an up-to-date understanding of the role of physical activity and exercise for the health of the population as well as the most promising principles for encouraging more people to become physically active. The unit is largely multi-disciplinary and goes beyond disease prevention to explore themes like maintenance of functional ability and retaining independence and how the environment determines our physical activity behaviour. Particular attention is given to physical activity as a behaviour that is not merely a lifestyle "choice"; but rather the outcome of a complex web of societal, cultural, economic, political and individual circumstances that lead to the formation of personal habits across the lifespan. Students will be encouraged to discuss, debate, and critically evaluate the evidence.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Movement Sciences |
| Credit points | 2 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
None |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
|
None |
| Prohibitions:
?
|
EXSS1037 |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
|
None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Describe the components of physical activity behaviour and demonstrate an understanding of the (physical and mental) health attributes of each component
- LO2. Classify the individual and population-level determinants of physical activity by physical activity domain
- LO3. Appraise the contribution of physical inactivity to the development of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental chronic conditions
- LO4. Appraise the potential of novel (e.g. wearable devices) or non-conventional (e.g. dog ownership) avenues for physical activity promotion
- LO5. Outline the different options for tacking physical inactivity in each domain
- LO6. Describe the historical and contemporary causes of inactivity and formulate potential solutions
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 2 2025
|
Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
Find your current year census dates
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
