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Unit outline_

EXSS3040: Physiological Testing and Training

Semester 2 Early, 2020 [Normal day] - Cumberland, Sydney

This unit of study provides students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills (laboratory and field-based) for the physiological assessment and training of elite athletes. The application of current tests and measurements in sports science together with training theory and practice will be critically reviewed. Special attention will be given to the role of speed, strength and endurance in sports performance. Fundamental questions concerning the nature of the training stimulus, training thresholds, plasticity of muscle, dose-response relationships, detraining and overtraining will be investigated. Teaching and learning strategies include lectures, case studies, practical test and measurement skills. On completion of this unit of study students will demonstrate competency within the sports testing environment and a capacity to provide well researched consultancy advice on sports training theory and practice.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Movement Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
EXSS2022
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Matthew Hollings, matthew.hollings@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Tim Davies, timothy.davies@sydney.edu.au
Matthew Hollings, matthew.hollings@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam hurdle task Final exam
Short-release, take home exam.
35% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Online task hurdle task Online Quiz
MCQ only, on Canvas and during normal week 8 lecture timeslot
15% Week 08
Due date: 25 Sep 2020 at 10:00

Closing date: 25 Sep 2020
50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Presentation hurdle task Case Study Defence
Case Study Defence
20% Week 11
Due date: 23 Oct 2020 at 08:00
8 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Client assessment report
Competency assessment and report
30% Week 13
Due date: 06 Nov 2020 at 23:59
5 pages and references/appendix
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Online Quiz: This quiz will cover all teaching material, including lectures and practicals, from weeks 1 to 6.
  • Client assessment report: The report is based on data collected during lab time weeks 7-11. As part of the practical component, students will have to assess an individual who is actively involved in a sport activity for their physiological fitness.
  • Final exam: This final exam will be cumulative, and will therefore cover all teaching material from the entire semester including lectures and practicals.
  • Participation: Sudents must attend a minimum of 9 out of 12 lectures between weeks 1-12, and attendance to all three structured practicals between weeks 1-6 is compulsory.

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 Lecture 1: Introduction, Evaluating an Athletes Needs, Athlete Movement Proficiency Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Practical 1: Assessing Movement Proficiency Practical (2 hr) LO2
Week 02 Lecture 2: Testing Muscular Strength and Power Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Practical 2: Testing Muscular Strength and Power Practical (2 hr) LO2
Week 03 Lecture 3: Advanced Training for Muscular Strength and Power Online class (2 hr) LO3
Practical 3: Training Muscular Strength and Power Practical (2 hr) LO3
Week 04 Lecture 4: Testing and Training Speed, Agility and Change of Direction Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Practical 4: Testing Speed, Agility and Change of Direction Practical (2 hr) LO2
Week 05 Lecture 5: Testing Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Practical 5: Training Speed, Agility and Change of Direction Practical (2 hr) LO3
Week 06 Lecture 6: Training Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity Online class (2 hr) LO3
Practical 6: Testing and Training Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity (field-based) Practical (2 hr) LO2
Week 07 Lecture 7: Special Athletic Performances Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Practical 7: Testing and Training Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity (lab-based) Practical (2 hr) LO3
Week 09 Lecture 8: 1. Performance Data Visualisation, 2. Doping, Ergogenic Aids and Performance Online class (2 hr) LO4
Week 10 Lecture 9: Environmental Factors Impacting Performance Online class (2 hr) LO4
Week 11 Lecture 10: Monitoring Team Sport Athletes (pre-recorded) Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Lecture 11: Overtraining Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Lecture 12: Genes and Performance Online class (2 hr) LO4
Week 14 (STUVAC) Exam Revision - Drop-in Zoom Session Online class (2 hr)  

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.

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. understand the physiological basis of testing anaerobic and aerobic capacity
  • LO2. demonstrate how to conduct appropriate testing using validated protocols
  • LO3. understand the basis of training and how the body adapts to the training stimulus
  • LO4. describe how environmental conditions can alter the body’s ability to perform exercise.

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.

In light of previous feedback, the unit has been remodelled to include a more well-rounded focus on all components of athletic performance.

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.