PERS20200 Exercise and Public Health

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module provides students with a critical understanding of the associations between exercise and health across the life-course, largely from an epidemiological (population) standpoint, and an an insight into the physiological mechanisms underlying these associations.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

The aim of this module is to provide students with the ability to critically evaluate current understanding of the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease and aging from a population standpoint and a theoretical overview of the physiological mechanisms thought to underpin the beneficial effects of exercise. Students will be encouraged to evaluate the literature that attempts to elucidate our understanding of the role of exercise in the prevention of disease and maintenance of function. At the end of the module, a successful student will be able to:
1. Critically analyse the fundamentals of epidemiology and its relation to public health.
2. Understand the main relationships between physical activity, physical fitness, health status and psychological well being throughout the lifespan.
3. Outline and evaluate the physiological mechanisms which underlie common degenerative diseases.
4. Engage in an informed debate on the attributes of physical activity which contribute to a reduction in morbidity and mortality.
5. Review, consolidate and interpret current concepts from a range of sources in the field.
6. Summarise the main benefits of physical activity, and make recommendations to the general population during a public presentation.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to the module
Research methods in epidemiology
Wearable sensors for monitoring physical activity
Exercise & children
Exercise and coronary heart disease
Exercise & Obesity
Dexterity in younger and older age
Cognitive function and balance in the elderly
Age-related decline of the neuromuscular system; sarcopenia; Steadiness
Barriers to exercise

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20

Small Group

4

Specified Learning Activities

36

Autonomous Student Learning

50

Total

110

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; critical writing; student presentations; laboratory classes 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

PERS10120 Science of Human Performance I


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
PERS10120 - Sci of Human Perf I


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Essay (1500 words) to be submitted by week 12 on topic provided Week 12 n/a Graded No

50

Oral Examination: Group Presentation Week 10 n/a Graded No

50


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback offered on request following assessment

Recommended Reading
• Adrianne Hardmann and David Stensel. (2009) Physical Activity and Health – The Evidence Explained. Routledge,
(2nd Ed.)
• I-Min Lee, Steven Blair, JoAnn Manson, Ralph S. Paffenbarger Jr.(2009) Epidemiologic Methods in Physical Activity Studies. Oxford.
• Jim McKenna and Chris Riddoch. (2003) Perspectives on Health and Exercise. Palgrave.
• Bouchard, C. Blair, S.N., Haskell, W.L. (Eds.). (2007) Physical Activity and Health. Human Kinetics.
• Nicholas L. Holt. (2012) Lifelong Engagement in Sport and Physical Activity. Routledge.
• Albert Taylor, Michel Johnson. (2008) Physiology of Exercise and Healthy Aging. Human Kinetics.
• Emmanuelle Tulle, Cassandra Phoenix. (2015) Physical Activity and Sport in Later Life: Critical Perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan.

Additional information
• Irish government physical activity guidelines: http://health.gov.ie/wp-
content/uploads/2014/03/active_guidelines.pdf
• Get Ireland Active: http://www.getirelandactive.ie/
• Health Promotion: https://www.healthpromotion.ie/health/physical_activity
• UK government physical activity guidelines: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-physical-activity-guidelines
• NHS physical activity guidelines: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-adults.aspx
• American government physical activity guidelines: https://health.gov/paguidelines/
• US national physical activity plan:
http://www.physicalactivityplan.org/docs/2016NPAP_Finalforwebsite.pdf
• ACSM positions stands: https://www.acsm.org/acsm-positions-policy/official-positions/ACSM-position-stands
• Leonard Poon, Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, Phillip Tomporowski.
(2006) Active Living, Cognitive Functioning, and Aging. Human Kinetics.
Name Role
Dr Massimiliano Ditroilo Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor James Matthews Tutor