Skip to main content
Unit outline_

EXSS3023: Exercise Testing and Prescription

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit is designed to provide a comprehensive and critical examination of exercise testing and programming in low-risk populations. The scientific evidence for exercise dosages for aerobic exercise and resistance training required for health and fitness outcomes will be critically reviewed. Other aspects of exercise programming such as flexibility, warm up and instructional technique will also be covered in this unit. Through the use of lectures and case studies, students will learn how to integrate both the physiological components and logistical aspects of exercise performance, to devise individualised exercise test batteries and prescriptions. During practical sessions, students will have to use different techniques and protocols to evaluate aerobic fitness and muscle function. Student will have to demonstrate excellent data collection skills and ability to interpret results and communicate them to a lay audience.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Movement Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

EXSS2027 or EXSS2028

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Che Fornusek, che.fornusek@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final Exam Online
Type B Final Exam with MCQ, Short Answer, and Case Questions.
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Assignment Written Assignment
Essay
20% Week 05
Due date: 10 Sep 2021 at 23:59
800 words max (plus references)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO8 LO9
Skills-based evaluation group assignment Client Screening and assessment and report
Competency assessment and report
30% Week 13
Due date: 12 Nov 2021 at 23:59
70 minutes skills assessment plus report
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO16 LO15 LO14 LO13 LO12 LO10 LO6 LO5 LO3
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Brochure assignment: Students are required to write an essay for a lay audience providing evidence-based advices on a topic selected from a range of Exercise Physiology and Exercise Science themes.
  • Client assessment and report: Students will interview, screen, and test a client for their physical fitness. They will then interpret the data collected and report to the client. The report will include a short-term exercise prescription.
  • Final exam: MCQ, short answer questions and clinical case.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction and screening Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 Physical activity, fitness, and health Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 03 Assessing CRF 1 Lecture (2 hr)  
Tutorial 1: Interview and screening theory (Online) Online class (2 hr)  
Week 04 Assessing CRF 2 Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 05 Exercise prescription for cardiorespiratory fitness 1 Lecture (2 hr)  
Prac 1: Screening Practical (face to face) Practical (2 hr)  
Week 06 Exercise prescription for cardiorespiratory fitness 2 Lecture (2 hr)  
Prac 2: Assessing CRF Prac (submax, face to face) Practical (2 hr)  
Week 07 Assessing muscle strength/power Lecture (2 hr)  
Tutorial 2: Interpretation of data from Practical 2 Online class (2 hr)  
Week 08 Exercise prescription strength/power Lecture (2 hr)  
Prac 3: Aerobic Max test (Covid situation dependent) Practical (2 hr)  
Week 09 Exercise prescription strength/power 2 Lecture (2 hr)  
Prac 4: Muscle strength testing (face to face) Practical (2 hr)  
Week 10 Body composition and assessment Lecture (2 hr)  
Screening assessment with client (bookable slots 1-4, Face to Face, 30min each) Practical (2 hr)  
Week 11 Exercise and weight loss Lecture (2 hr)  
Aerobic assessment with client (bookable slot 1 & 2, face to face, 60 min each) Practical (2 hr)  
Week 12 Exercise testing in older population Lecture (2 hr)  
Aerobic assessment with client (bookable slot 3 & 4, face to face, 60 min each) Practical (2 hr)  
Week 13 Unit summary and overview Lecture (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Recorded lectures will be provided. Students are expected to attend all tutorials and practicals.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas. The two main readings are:

Garber, C. E., Blissmer, B., Deschenes, M. R., Franklin, B. A., Lamonte, M. J., Lee, I.-M., … Swain, D. P. (2011). Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: Guidance for prescribing exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(7), 1334–1359. 

Housh, T. J., Alvar, B. A., Ratamess, N. A., Evetoch, T. K., Triplett, N. T., Kibler, W. B., & Kraemer, W. J. (2009). Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41(3), 687–708.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. discuss the relationship between physical exercise, fitness and health
  • LO2. enumerate the different steps involved in client screening and risk stratification
  • LO3. list the major criteria for not doing a cardiopulmonary exercise test or stopping exercise
  • LO4. discuss the scientific basis for both cardiorespiratory and strength training
  • LO5. develop the skills to make adequate choices regarding both cardiorespiratory and muscle fitness testing
  • LO6. analyse and interpret the data collected during testing
  • LO7. design cardiorespiratory and muscle fitness programs
  • LO8. assess body composition and understand the potential role of exercise in weight loss
  • LO9. discuss stretching and flexibility (physical functional capacity)
  • LO10. conduct adequate testing and design exercise programs for the older population
  • LO11. design an appropriate report for a client
  • LO12. effectively interview and screen a client and assess risk factors
  • LO13. use validated protocol to assess cardiorespiratory fitness (including maximal exercise testing)
  • LO14. use validated protocol to assess muscle strength
  • LO15. describe, execute and explain correct techniques for resistance exercises
  • LO16. interpret results from exercise testing and use results for programming.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Thank you to those students who completed the survey. Overall, the survey scores were completed by 33 students (out of 130; 25%) and on average scores for Q1-6 were down slightly compared to previous years (2019 (3.88) → 2020 3.82). Slight decreases were seen in Q1 (teaching), Q3 (critical thinking), and Q6(helpful feedback); two of these issues are specifically covered below. This is the last year this course will be run in standard mode as it has been discontinued; however, the feedback is useful for other future units of study implemented. Some students enjoyed the assessments and saw the practical relevance of the client test and lectures. Due to COVID-19, I relaxed the criteria for finding volunteers for the practical assignment. It was good to see significantly less student stress around this issue. The positive comments from this year were very similar to previous years. Student’s generally appreciated the content and enjoyed Professor Davis’ teaching and it was good to have him teaching in the course for this year and the previous years. Thank you to those who provided positive comments for Shane Ball; I believe he does an excellent job as a tutor. Improvements: 1. Improvements in the lecture delivery. I will take on board comments. The lecturing team have been given the comments as well and where possible/relevant will try to improve. During the semester, I did enquire about the lectures but the feedback I received was limited. 2. Delayed Slide upload. There were concerns that lecture slides were placed online too late. In future slides will be loaded with more warning. Originally, I started uploading lecture recordings from 2019 because this would give students a lead into the lecture. However, I was told that there were complaints about this placing too much stress on students; I am not sure if this was the majority. This was also designed to allow students to better prepared and be able ask questions during the scheduled lecture about what they did not understand. In future we will try to load lecture slide earlier. 3. Feedback: The feedback on assessment marks was the major point that can be improved. Effort will be made to improve the feedback speed, quality, and depth. Some students felt that the marking criteria were different to what discussed/displayed by the UoS coordinator. In future, more effort will be made to be clearer on the criteria. 4. Organization. Comments around disorganization are somewhat justified. Confounding this may have been the lack of face to face contact due to the lectures being online. Often the information was available on Canvas but the students were not aware. To try and help with this additional weekly Zoom meetings were held to clarify and answer questions, but these were poorly attended. Going forward if we need to do online lectures more effort will be made to improve communication.

Work, health and safety

PPE may be required for in-class practical classes.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.