MAVIT5600 Physical Activity and Exercise in a Life Course Perspective and with a Special Focus on Aging Course description

Language of instruction: English (Norwegian if no English-speaking students have registered for the course)

This course has a focus on knowledge about the interaction between disease mechanisms and exercise and specific physical activities. This includes basic insight into disease manifestations and mechanisms seen in conjunction with prevention, treatment and rehabilitation from a life course perspective. The course looks at the prescription of physical activity and exercise with a view to elaborating on the general guidelines in terms of components frequency, intensity, type and duration.

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence: 

Knowledge 

The student

• can analyse current theories, examination methods and exercise/rehabilitation measures intended to improve/maintain health and physical function
• can assess relevant exercise principles and theories related to components, frequency, intensity, type and duration
• can describe the body’s structure and function considering the preconditions for physical activity and exercise
• can assess which factors can impede or promote physical activity and exercise
• can analyse and assess theory, concepts and problems related to the advisory role in physical activity and exercise
• can interpret basic scientific methodology and critically assess the use of sources

Skills 

The student

• can assess and test physical condition and functioning using relevant assessment methods
• can identify persons with clinical conditions who require special consideration when exercising and being tested
• can adapt different exercise programmes individually and in groups for persons with various levels of functioning and health condition, based on the user’s wishes and needs, current research/guidelines and own clinical experience (evidence-based practice) 
• can critically assess and implement research-based and experience-based knowledge considering contextual factors and individual preferences

General competence  

The student  

• can integrate knowledge and skills from relevant disciplines and professions in a common perspective on physical activity, exercise and rehabilitation

The course will use varied, student-active work methods. Work methods include flipped classroom, seminars with group work that will include round-table discussions, presentations and discussions. Lectures will be in both traditional and digital form. The course assumes a high degree of self-study and supervision on assignments. Skills training also forms part of the course, where the students will be taught how to determine the dosing of exercise.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the examination: 

• a minimum of 80% attendance in group supervision and seminars where students present their assignments
• an individual written and oral presentation of an individually-adapted exercise programme with appropriate dosage for an older adult.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F.

Two examiners will assess all examination papers. At least 20% of the examination papers will be assessed by an external examiner. The external examiner’s assessment should benefit all students.