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HL20537: Physiology of health, exercise and nutrition (SES)

[Page last updated: 03 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department for Health
Credits: 15 [equivalent to 30 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 300
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CW 35%, EX 50%, PR 15%
Assessment Detail:
  • Practical (PR 15%)
  • CW Report (CW 35%)
  • EX MCQ (EX 50%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take HL10521 AND take HL10524
Learning Outcomes:
  1. Identify how cells, organs and tissues in the human body respond to exercise, and explain how regular exercise and exercise training affect these physiological systems.
  2. Compare and contrast appropriate techniques that are available for the investigation of physiological changes that occur in response to exercise.
  3. Use current equipment and experimental techniques to measure oxygen uptake and energy expenditure, blood metabolites, and haematological and inflammatory biomarker changes in response to exercise.
  4. Distinguish between different physiological factors that limit human performance across a range of different types of exercise, and analyse the potential consequences of over-training.


Aims: To investigate the physiological changes that occur as a result of sport and exercise and to understand how these responses may improve human performance and health. In addition, interaction between physical activity, nutrition and energy balance will be explored.

Content:

This unit will cover theory and evidence relating to the physiology of exercise, sport and health. Topics in semester one will include energy systems, energy balance, substrate use during exercise, nutrition, limits to exercise tolerance, resistance exercise, redox biology, inflammation and exercise immunology.

Semester two will have a greater emphasis on sport and performance. Topics will include: principles of exercise training, adaptations to endurance training, factors that can be manipulated to improve sporting performance (e.g. nutrition, hydration). Other fundamental topics will include respiratory physiology and delayed onset of muscle soreness.

Laboratory classes will apply some of the principles covered in lectures into practice and will promote communication skills and group working. Fundamental laboratory skills will include: assessment of body composition, sub-maximal and maximal exercise testing, respiratory function, hydration, wearable technology and how various biomarkers associated with metabolic health, inflammation and immune function, change in response to acute bouts of exercise.



Programme availability:

HL20537 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department for Health
  • UHHL-AFB22 : BSc(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (Year 2)
  • UHHL-ACB22 : BSc(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Combined Professional Placement and Study Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHHL-AAB22 : BSc(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHHL-AKB22 : BSc(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • UHHL-AFM22 : MSci(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (Year 2)
  • UHHL-ACM22 : MSci(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Combined Professional Placement and Study Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHHL-AAM22 : MSci(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHHL-AKM22 : MSci(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Professional Placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.