Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Knowledge of the major features of human movement disorders is essential for the safe and effective use of exercise and physical activity in clinical settings. Important aspects of these disorders include their aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures, and treatments. This unit provides the theoretical base for subsequent practicum and clinical exercise prescription units.

Aims

This unit provides you with a knowledge of the principal features of a set of cardiorespiratory and metabolic disorders that prevent, limit or modify a person's capacity to move, and in turn, to undertake different forms of physical activity and exercise. By identifying the causes of each disorder, along with their epidemiological characteristics, the underlying mechanisms that affect movement capacity, and approaches taken to diagnose, assess and treat these disorders, the unit aims to develop your knowledge of these disorders so that you can recognise how they affect and respond to movement, exercise and activity.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

Describe selected movement disorders and their signs and symptoms and use relevant clinical terminology

Describe the range of causes that lead to these disorders

Describe the scope of each disorder in terms of its occurrence, demographic features, and the burden it imposes

Explain the pathophysiological mechanisms by which each disorder restricts, prevents or modifies movement

Discuss the different approaches to diagnosis, treatment and assessment of each disorder

Content

The unit will provide a systematic coverage of selected disorders in two groups, including

Group 1 - Myocardial infarction, heart failure, angina, peripheral arterial disease, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Group 2 - Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancer and obesity
Other conditions may be included where they illustrate important concepts.

The unit will provide a foundation level of knowledge concerning the aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures and treatments, at a level that allows students to work with other health professionals in the assessment and provision of exercise and activity suitable for people with that condition. The unit builds on knowledge acquired in the foundation units of motor control exercise physiology, biomechanics and functional anatomy.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will first consider general principles common to all the disorders, and then systematically outline key knowledge and concepts separately for each. The unit will make extensive use of web-based resources including video recordings and assessment procedures commonly used with each specific disorder. Where possible, lectures will include invited speakers, other health professionals and patients, to provide their perspectives on the implications of the disorders for movement, exercise and activity. Tutorials will focus on case presentations that allow students to deepen their understanding of each condition and understand its normal clinical course. Formative assessment will be provided through web-based self-test questions.

Assessment

Summative assessment consists of 3 items as outlined below. Formative assessment and student support

The tutorials will include exercises to prepare the Oral presentation and provide students with feedback. Students will have access to web-based formative assessment resources that will allow self-testing of key concepts and knowledge.

Assessment name: Oral presentation
Description: Students will prepare and deliver an oral presentation on a specified cardiorespiratory or metabolic disorder. The disorder will be drawn from a set of conditions not otherwise covered in the unit. The presentation is in the form of an overview of all aspects of the disorder, including a specific description of the ways in which movement, exercise and activity are limited or modified. The presentation will be accompanied by appropriate audio-visual material, and will be followed by questions.
Length: Presentation: 10 minutes, Questions: 10 minutes
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 4-8 tut groups

Assessment name: Clinical terminology assess.
Description: Students will be evaluated on their knowledge of clinical terminology relevant to cardiorespiratory and metabolic disorders. This is a knowledge-based assessment using a multiple-choice examination format.
Length: 1 hour
Relates to objectives: 1 & 4
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 10

Assessment name: Final examination
Description: The final examination will evaluate students' knowledge and understanding of the disorders in-depth using written answer questions.
Length: 3 hours
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

In addition to the online materials, the following texts are recommended:

Levine, T.B., Levione, A.B. (2006). Metabolic Syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Wasserrman, K. (ed.) (2002). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and cardiovascular health. Blackwell Publishing.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 22-May-2012