AHPT 810: Exercise Physiology
Prerequisite: Admission to the doctor of physical therapy program or permission of
the Department
Credit Hours: (3)
The exercise physiology course will examine and apply theories and principles, and
it will evaluate the effects of physical effort on human performance. Emphasis will
be placed on the metabolic/ energy transfer systems of the body and muscle structure
on a histological level. The course will also assess the effects of physical activity
(e.g., cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurological influences on human performance)
across the lifespan. This course prepares students to participate in their initial
clinical internship experience.
Detailed Description of Course
Content will include but not be limited to: 1) General principles and concepts of
cell physiology and metabolism; 2) Morphological & histological considerations influenced
by exercise; 3) Metabolic & energy transfer methods of slow and fast twitch muscle
fibers; 4) Energy expenditure consideration at rest and during physical activity;
5) Exercise principles, methods, and application; 6) Principles and techniques for
specific training and conditioning; 7) Exercise considerations pertaining to cardiac-
& respiratory-related pathological conditions; 8) Blood influence, pH, body temperature
and altitude on the functional capacity of the muscular system during various exercise
formats; 9) Biometric and lab values of exercise physiology and acute care setting;
and 10) the clinical application of exercise in therapeutic programs.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Course format will be a combination of but not limited to lecture, demonstration,
and small group activities. Students will have learning experiences in monitoring
of vital signs during functional activities, and to various types of exercises programs.
Students will explore the influence of diet and exercise in relation to percent body
fat and changes in weight.
Goals and Objectives of this Course
Will be able to do:
1) Identify muscle physiology and its phases of metabolism as it relates to the practice
of physical therapy; 2) Describe the importance of the neuron-muscular junction and
its overall nerve-muscle relationship during exercise; 3) Identify and describe methods
of performance and underlying principles of various exercises: passive, active assistive,
and active forms; isometric, isotonic, isokinetic; positional relationships related
to exercise; strength & endurance exercise; and developmental forms of exercise;
4) Discriminate the anaerobic and aerobic response to exercise; 5) Recognize and identify
the various physiologic changes associated with inactivity; 6) Explain fundamental
mechanisms by which the body responds to demands of physical exercise; 7) Perform
various exercise formats on peers in a safe and competent manner; 8) Develop a safe
and goal specific exercise program as a group project; 9) Apply precautions and concerns
in various medically related pathological conditions when establishing exercise goals;
10) Explain the relationship to overall diet to weight gain/ loss and different types
of exercise in younger and older individuals; 11) Interpret the physiologic adjustment
of the body in response to environmental temperature changes; 12) Demonstrate the
ability to develop effective exercise programs that maximize the potential benefits
for cardiovascular fitness; 13) Develop and demonstrate structured exercise program(s)
that objectively show changes in measurable physiologic responses in a group presentation
format; 14) Interpret the physiological and psychological factors that affect an individual's
ability to express strength capacity; 15) Identify and discuss body compositions for
both men and women at different ages and body types; 16) accurately and reliably measure
body weight, height, BMI, and body fat composition using skin fold calipers and electrical
impedance; 17) Explain the response of ventilation, cardiac output, stroke volume,
and heart rate during different phases of exercise and potential impacts from various
medical impairments; 18) Compare and contrast aerobic capacity, endurance, ventilation,
and respiration rates based on anthropometric, BMI, gender, and age differences; 19)
Assess lung volumes using measurement tools such as tape measure and spirometer.
Assessment Measures
Will consist of but are not limited to:
Weekly Summaries, Examinations, and Projects
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
February 10, 2014