Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Introduction to Exercise Physiology
SCQF level: 08:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: SES08106
Module leader: Mel Leggate
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Sport Exercise and Health Science
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

This module examines how the human body responds and adapts to exercise, covering responses from cellular to whole-system levels. You will explore the cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems, as well as skeletal muscle function and bioenergetics. The module distinguishes between acute responses to exercise and chronic adaptations following training, with a specific focus on cardiovascular performance and training adaptations, respiratory control and regulation during exercise, and skeletal muscle innervation and excitation-contraction coupling. Sex differences in physiological responses to exercise and training are integrated throughout. The module concludes with applied topics including team sports physiology, principles of training, and human performance assessment methods.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Describe the principal changes that take place in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems during exercise and following a period of endurance training.

LO2: Differentiate between the acute and chronic effects of different exercise modalities on skeletal muscle.

LO3: Distinguish between different test protocols used to assess aerobic capacity and identify the advantages/disadvantages of predicting maximal oxygen uptake using these protocols.

LO4: Identify the differences in physiological responses to exercise and training between sexes.

LO5: Report findings from data collected under exercise physiology laboratory conditions.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2026/7, Trimester 2, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Mel Leggate
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 20 Lectures will be live and related resources will be uploaded weekly on the VLE at least 5 days prior to the lecture to allow you to access at a time most suitable for you. The sessions will be interactive and you should have reading and key sources before attending the lecture.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 8 Physiological data collection and analysis is undertaken in groups during laboratory-based practical classes. Across these sessions you will perform a range of tests assessing physical fitness, cardiovascular and respiratory responses to exercise, and peak oxygen uptake, building the practical skills needed to collect and interpret physiological data.
Face To Face Tutorial 4 A group tutorial is held immediately following each practical session, focused on interpreting and discussing the data collected during that practical. Sessions also support preparation for the formative and summative assessments, fostering an assessment for learning approach.
Online Guided independent study 168 Throughout the trimester, you are expected to structure in time to reflect upon the learning you have undertaken in your scheduled sessions and to complete your essential reading. You are encouraged to read more widely around the topics you are studying and engage in Moodle activities and resources. You will need to ensure that you have sufficient time to prepare and plan for your assessment tasks.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Centrally Time Tabled Examination 50 1~2 Exam Period HOURS= 90 minutes This assessment comprises multiple-choice questions and short-answer responses, assessed under open-book exam conditions. You may bring hard-copy notes into the exam but you will not have access to devices or the internet. The exam covers content from across the module and assesses your application of exercise physiology principles and your understanding of physiological mechanisms and adaptations to exercise.
Laboratory report 50 3~4~5 Week 12 , WORDS= 2000-2500 words This assessment will involve producing a laboratory report based on data collected during your practical classes. You will complete the write-up of this report in pairs.
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
SES08106 Introduction to Exercise Physiology
 

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