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EXS-20019 - Module Specification
School of Allied Health Professions and Pharmacy
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

EXS-20019 - Physiology of Sport, Exercise and Health
Coordinator: Clare Pheasey
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

No

Barred Combinations

No

Description for 2026/27

Within this module students will explore the acute responses and chronic adaptations to exercise. This will include practical experience: conducting health screening; undertaking steady rate and incremental exercise testing; exploring metabolic cost using breath by breath expired gas analysis and finger-prick blood collection, and analysis to examine responses to exercise and adaptations to training. In addition, students will have the opportunity to develop contemporary science communication skills, translating complex physiological concepts into accessible formats for non-specialist audiences through digital and applied assessment tasks.

Aims
The module will take the student from the fundamental physiology knowledge acquired at L4 in Principles of Systems Physiology, to the application and assessment of such systems in sport and exercise scenarios.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Evaluate the acute responses and chronic adaptations to exercise in the cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular systems.: 2
Collect, interpret and present data generated in a laboratory environment.: 2
Describe and explain the acute responses, to steady rate and incremental exercise.: 2
Differentiate between metabolic pathways utilised during rest and exercise.: 2
Apply translational science skills to communicate sport and exercise physiology concepts to non-specialist audiences.: 1,2

Study hours

Active learning includes:
- 30 hours of teaching via class-based seminars and lab-based practical
- 10 hours of directed assessment preparation
- 10 hours of asynchronous directed study
100 hours of independent study by the student:
- 80 hours self-directed study
- 5 hours self-study (e.g. developing competencies with relevant software);
- 15 hours of assessment preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 40%
Contemporary scientific flyer and supporting social media post
Individually, students will produce a one-sided A4 scientific flyer that advertises their podcast and communicates its key sport and exercise physiology content to a defined audience. The task emphasises the translation of scientific concepts into clear, accessible and visually engaging messaging, requiring students to synthesise and present physiological principles and applied methods effectively (500-words). The flyer will be supported by a professional social media post (for example, a LinkedIn post) to promote the podcast. The post should translate the scientific content into an accessible and engaging format suitable for a wider audience, demonstrating the ability to communicate evidence-based information in a professional and digitally appropriate manner (100-150 words).

2: Group Assessment weighted 60%
Podcast
In small groups (ideally 2), students will produce a 15-minute podcast. The podcast will specifically focus on the presentation and interpretation of data (collected within the lab practical classes) and an exploration of the metabolic pathways associated with rest and physical activity.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026