Year
2024Credit points
10Campus offering
Prerequisites
Nil
Incompatible
EXSC119 From Health to High Performance Sport , EXSD121 Exercise and Sport Science: Starting the Journey
Teaching organisation
150 hours of focused learning.
Unit rationale, description and aim
Participating in sport and physical activity is of critical importance to the health of the individual, community and population. Participation in sport and physical activity reduces the risk of disease, brings communities together, benefits the local economy and improves and maintains overall quality of life through enhanced mental and social wellbeing. Indeed, physical inactivity is linked to numerous health conditions that are Australian Government National Health Priority Areas, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental health disorders. Exercise Scientists are professionals with the knowledge and skills to apply the science of exercise to develop interventions that improve health, fitness, well-being and performance. The aim of this unit is to engage and immerse students by introducing them to foundational knowledge, skills, and attributes of the Exercise Scientist. To meet this aim, the unit introduces students to the scope of practice of the profession and gives them a diverse range of exercise science practical experiences.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
| Learning Outcome Number | Learning Outcome Description | Relevant Graduate Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| LO1 | Explain why there is a need for the Exercise Science profession | GC1, GC9, GC12 |
| LO2 | Describe the scope of practice of an exercise scientist and their relevant work contexts | GC1, GC9, GC12 |
| LO3 | Accurately conduct, interpret and communicate the outcomes of a variety of testing assessments appropriate to the health, fitness and/or performance goals of apparently healthy individuals | GC1, GC4, GC8 |
| LO4 | Evaluate on the outcomes of their practical experiences in conducting exercise assessments in the context of improving health, fitness, well-being and performance | GC2, GC3, GC4, GC7, GC11 |
Content
Topics will include:
- Landscape of activity and health and different groups in need
- Importance of exercise for wellbeing
- Health and fitness professions and scopes of practice
- Foundational interpersonal skills and reflective practice
- Foundation of exercise science principles relevant to tests and exercise
- Testing and exercise modes including
- Resting measures
- Body composition
- Cardiovascular
- Resistance
- ROM /Flexibility
- Sports Performance
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Learning and teaching strategies include active learning, individual and group-based (collaborative) activities, case-based learning, web-based learning, and reflective/critical thinking activities, which will be delivered across 12 weeks or equivalent. This range of strategies will provide students with appropriate access to required knowledge and understanding of unit content, and opportunities for development of basic practical skills in exercise assessment. These strategies will allow students to meet the aim and learning outcomes of the unit, and develop graduate attributes, as well as professional practice standards. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively within group activities.
Assessment strategy and rationale
This unit fosters student-centred active learning and accommodates diverse student needs. It includes a combination of self-paced, online learning and real-time classes that combine individual and group-based (collaborative) activities, case-based learning and reflective/critical thinking activities, which will be delivered across 12 weeks or equivalent. Early and additional feedback on learning, and tailored support, are provided to facilitate students’ transition to university. This range of strategies will provide students with appropriate access to required knowledge and understanding of unit content, and opportunities for development of basic practical skills in exercise assessment. These strategies will allow students to meet the aim and learning outcomes of the unit, and develop graduate attributes, as well as professional practice standards. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively within group activities
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
Short Presentation Assesses students understanding of the need for Exercise Science Profession and its Scope of Practice | 15% | LO1, LO2 |
Health and Well-being Portfolio Collate and interpret test results on personal health, fitness and/or performance. Reflect on how these tests fit within the profession of an Exercise Scientist | 50% | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
Practical Assessment Conduct tests, interpret, and communicate test outcomes. | 35% | LO3 |
Representative texts and references
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) (2013). Health-Related Physical Fitness Assessment Manual (4th ed.) Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) (2014). Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (9th ed.). Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams.
American College of Sports Medicine (2013). Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (7th Ed.). Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams
Australian Institute of Sport, Tanner R and Gore C (2013) Physiological tests for elite athletes (2nd ed.). Champaign: Human Kinetics.
Coombes and Skinner (2014). ESSA student manual for health, exercise and sport assessment. Mosby and ESSA.
McArdle, W.D., Katch, F.I., & Katch, V.L. (2014). Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition and Human Performance (8th ed.). Baltimore, MD: Lippincott William and Wilkins.
Nieman, D. ( 2011). Exercise testing and prescription: A health-related approach (7th ed.) New York, McGraw Hill.