Course overview
The aim of this course is to explore cardiorespiratory physiology in relation to aerobic fitness, performance and health. This course builds on the foundations of human regulatory physiology by exploring disruptions to homeostasis during acute and chronic exercise, health risks posed during exercise of varying intensities, training and adaptations in extreme environments, and the roles of exercise training and fitness in optimising health and performance. The aim of this course is topics covered include pre-exercise training and fitness in optimising health and performance, pre-exercise screening and risk factor assessment, energy metabolism, principles of exercise testing and physiological regulation, adaptation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to exercise training, principles of exercise prescription, and health effects of physical activity and inactivity.
Course learning outcomes
- Conduct pre-exercise screening using the Australian adult pre-exercise screening system [APSS] to stratify individuals according to risk level, and make appropriate decisions about undertaking aerobic fitness testing or beginning an exercise program.
- Describe the individual and integrated physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise of various intensities, durations and types.
- Describe the physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise in various environmental conditions.
- Explain how being physically active and improving fitness reduces the risk for developing chronic diseases.