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University of Exeter Medical School

Clinical Exercise Prescription

Module titleClinical Exercise Prescription
Module codeESS3804
Academic year2022/3
Credits30
Module staff

Professor Richard Winsley (Convenor)

Dr Bert Bond (Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

6

6

Number students taking module (anticipated)

80

Module description

The use of exercise as a treatment strategy is becomingly increasingly advocated for a range of clinical conditions. This module will equip you with the ability to prescribe a safe, realistic and effective programme for an individual with a particular clinical condition by giving you an understanding of the aetiology of the condition and its effect on the exercise response. The module covers prescribing exercise for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation patients, alongside other conditions such as arthritis, obesity, pregnancy and cancer. You will also receive a foundation in the practicalities of delivering a safe and effective exercise prescription. Exercise Physiology (ESS2001) is a pre-requisite and it is suitable for non-specialist students who have also studied this module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will equip you with the ability to prescribe a safe, realistic and effective programme for an individual with a particular clinical condition by giving you an understanding of the aetiology of the condition and its effect on the exercise response. You will also receive a foundation in the practicalities of delivering a safe and effective exercise prescription.

The following graduate attributes will be developed:

  • Team work in the task given for the assessments and laboratory sessions
  • Applied thinking and problem solving – applying the knowledge you have gained to prescribe safe and suitable exercise to a person with a chronic health problem
  • People skills in communicating with peers and module teaching team
  • Clinical skills – basic clinical skills in risk stratifying patients and performing a Graded Exercise Test

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Construct appropriately safe, realistic and effective exercise training programmes for individuals with specific health conditions

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 2. Demonstrate skills of analysis and critical evaluation to support your conclusions / recommendations

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Work productively in a co-operative context
  • 4. Present information / ideas competently

Syllabus plan

The following topics may be covered in the module

  • Cardiac anatomy and physiology, CAD aetiology
  • ECG and common arrhythmias
  • Cardiac rehab – altered exercise response; testing; training and prescription
  • Risk stratification
  • Stroke
  • COPD
  • Clinical exercise testing skills
  • Arthritis
  • Pregnancy
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Prediction/submaximal and maximal exercise testing
  • Obesity
  • Legalities and waivers
  • Conducting exercise referral consultations
  • Cancer

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
442560

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching32Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching12Seminars and practical classes
Guided Independent Study256Completion of set readings from journals, textbooks and / or web based resources. Practice of practical exercise testing skills.

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Interview / exercise testing practice (depending on restrictions)45 minutes1-4Peer assessed and feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
50050

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
If restrictions affect module delivery: Interview with patient about exercise test results (50%) 5015 minutes2-4Written and oral
If no restrictions have affected module delivery: Graded exercise on a mock patient (50%)045 minutes exercise test 2-4Written and oral
Clinical testing report501500 words1-4Written and oral

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Depending on restrictions: Interview with patient about exercise test results or graded exercise n a mock patientDepending on restrictions: Interview with patient about exercise test results or graded exercise n a mock patient2-4Referral/Deferral period
Clinical resting reportClinical resting report1-4Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  • Clinical Exercise Physiology (4th Ed). Ehrman, Gordon, Visich and Keteyian (Eds). Human Kinetics; Illinois. 2019
  • ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (10th Ed). Lippincott; London. 2017

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Key words search

Exercise, clinical, obesity, cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, pregnancy, cancer, arthritis, exercise testing, exercise prescription

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

ESS2001 Exercise Physiology

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

01/09/2011

Last revision date

23/08/2022