THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2020/2021

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Moray House School of Education and Sport : Sport

Undergraduate Course: Physical Activity, Exercise, Fitness, and Health (SPRT10054)

Course Outline
SchoolMoray House School of Education and Sport CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryPhysical activity and exercise benefit physical and mental health. They promote social connectedness, quality of life, and general well-being. However, in 2012 the Lancet declared low physical activity a global pandemic.

This course will explore the concepts of physical activity, exercise, fitness, and health and the inter-relationships between them. The role of physical activity and exercise in the development and maintenance of health will be explored. Methods for assessment of physical activity, health and health related fitness will be introduced. Guidelines for physical activity in relation to health benefits will be examined, considering the whole life course (infancy, childhood and adolescence, adulthood, and older ages).
Course description Drawing from several disciplines this course will consider topical issues relating to physical activity, exercise, fitness, and health. Specifically, this course will consider contemporary definitions of physical activity and sedentary behaviour and current data regarding population levels and trends. The course will also examine in detail the relationship between these behaviours and health with a focus on specific chronic conditions. Drawing from the evidence-base, the course will critically consider the current health recommendations, and ways to promote better health through physical activity and exercise. Across the course, students will be encouraged to consider the broader implications of physical inactivity on local and global challenges.

The course will include sessions on:
The relationship between physical activity, exercise, fitness and health
Assessment of physical activity behaviour (and experience of specialist measurement methods)
Physical activity recommendations and levels
Assessment of health related fitness (and experience of specialist measurement methods)
Assessment of body composition (and experience of specialist measurement methods)
Psychology of physical activity and health
Physical Activity, Exercise, fitness and health in 0-18 years
Sedentary behaviour
Determinants of physical activity across the life-span

Students will be encouraged to actively participate in interactive lectures and activities. Students will be set pre-class tasks to guide their reading and engagement with the material. Assignments will further facilitate consideration of the lecture material and how it relates to additional research papers and application. Students will also have the opportunity to engage with PAHRC-led research activities.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2020/21, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  33
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 44, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 152 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Online Class Test: 60%
Coursework: 40%
Practical Exam: 0%

Open book class test (online, 7 days to complete)
written assignment

A mark of 40% or higher is required to pass the course. Compensation is possible between the two components.

Coursework will assess LO1 and LO2
Written class test will assess LO1, LO3, and LO4
Feedback Informal Feedback - This takes place during teaching, seminars and practicals throughout the semester. Your tutors will comment on your understanding of the ideas covered in the course, and may give you specific advice regarding your progress. Such feedback is intended to help you understand what your strengths and development points are, and to enable you to take informed responsibility for your learning and progression.

Discussion forum - Throughout the course as a whole the students are encouraged to use a discussion forum in LEARN. Any questions posted by students about teaching, learning and assessment are be responded to by the course tutors for everyone to see.

Cohort feedforward - Detailed cohort feed-forward from previous cohorts of students is provided for all assessments on this course.

Formative Feedback - you will receive individual verbal and written formative feedback on your oral presentations. This will help prepare you for your written assignments.

Summative Feedback - formal feedback will be provided via individual and group feedback for the written report. Individual feedback will be provided in line with the marking criteria, the pro forma for which is available on WebCT. Group feedback will be made available for the written examination.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Understand and articulate the concepts of physical activity, exercise, fitness and health
  2. Critically appreciate the evidence that underpins the relationships between these concepts
  3. Understand and critique guidelines and recommendations for physical activity and exercise in different age groups
  4. Discuss methods for assessing physical activity, exercise, fitness and health
Reading List
Hardman, A. and Stensel, D. Physical activity and health : the evidence explained . Routledge, UK

Bouchard, C., Blair, S.N and Haskell W.L (editors). Physical Activity and Health. Human Kinetics

Kaminsky, L. (2009). ACSM's health-related physical fitness manual. 3rd edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

Welk, G.J (editor). Physical Activity Assessments for Health-related Research. Human Kinetics

Biddle, S. J. H., & Mutrie, N. (2008). Psychology of physical activity: Determinants, well-being and interventions. London: Routledge.

Norton, K and Olds, T. Anthropometrica: a textbook of body measurement for sports and health courses. UNSW Press
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills This course addresses 13 of the 21 graduate attributes developed on the BSc Applied Sport Science degree

RESEARCH AND ENQUIRY
(1) Understand the philosophy of scientific methods of enquiry in order to critically evaluate evidence and analyse research literature.
(2) Search for, access, critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from literature in order to answer research questions in sport and exercise sciences.
(4) Interpret data collected or reported in sport, physical activity and exercise studies
(6) Develop logical arguments surrounding issues within sport science, physical activity and exercise

PERSONAL AND INTELLECTUAL AUTONOMY
(7) Be independent learners who can take responsibility for their own learning
(8) Be able to respond to unfamiliar problems by extrapolating their existing knowledge and understanding

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
(9) Be able to communicate clearly using oral and written methods, including posters, presentations, essays, web pages, in order to critique, negotiate, create or communicate understanding
(10) Be able to use communication as a means for collaborating with and relating to others including staff, other students and research participants.
(11) Be able to engage in critical discussion demonstrating listening skills, effective use of evidence and their own experiences to articulate points and defend their own assertions

PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS
(14) Have developed their organisational, time management and decision-making skills
(16) Be able to transfer knowledge and ideas between different contexts within sport, exercise and health

TECHNICAL/PRACTICAL SKILLS
(18) Be able to use the test, measurement and analysis tools appropriate to sport, physical activity and exercise, including for example laboratory or field tests.
(19) Be able to design, deliver and analyse the effects of training interventions in sport, physical activity and exercise
KeywordsPhysical Activity,Exercise,Epidemiology,Health,Health Behaviour
Contacts
Course organiserDr Paul Kelly
Tel: (0131 6)54 4111
Email: p.kelly@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Nathan Bryceland
Tel: (0131 6)51 6678
Email: Nathan.Bryceland@ed.ac.uk
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