Advanced Topics in Physical Activity and Brain Health (11548.1)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | Intensive |
Bruce, Canberra |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Health |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Discipline Of Sport And Exercise Science | Level 4 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit | Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
Students will enhance their understanding of multidisciplinary treatment and standards of care in Australia with a focus on mental health, neurological and aged-care/dementia-focused services; and will consider their own scope and future opportunities in relation to emerging areas of evidence-based practice. Students will also explore how the physical activity evidence for addressing brain health has shaped international approaches in these areas.
Learning outcomes
After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Evaluate the role of physical activity for the prevention, treatment and/or management of brain/neurological conditions including cognitive impairment and mental health;
2. Develop exercise interventions in line with evidence-based practice and scope as an exercise physiologist across different practice settings and with consideration of the condition(s), the individual context and scientific evidence;
3. Formulate sound clinical reasoning and decision-making around condition-specific critical factors and individual considerations associated with common neurological/brain conditions to inform risk management, and safe exercise interventions;
4. Appraise the application of physical activity evidence into standard models of care for mental health and aged care services and emerging areas of evidence-based practice; and
5. Compare Australian and international perspectives of multidisciplinary practice in aged care and mental health services, and the role of allied health professionals in each, including exercise physiologists.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
Prerequisites
11545 Clinical Conditions 1 AND11546 Clinical Conditions 2
Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
From prior units of study, students will be expected to understand optimal brain health and function, the relationship between physical health and mental health, and the role of physical activity and exercise in promoting optimal brain health across the lifespan. Students will also be expected to have basic knowledge around the current role and scope for exercise physiologists in prescribing exercise as adjunct treatment for common mental health conditions.From prior units of study, students should understand the pathophysiology of vascular disease and inflammatory states as recognised risk factors and comorbidities for conditions affecting brain health.
| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 28 July 2025 | Intensive | Dr Joe Northey |
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 10 August 2026 | Intensive | Dr Joe Northey |
Required texts
Required readings
Journal articles and other resources will be provided on UCLearn
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
The Team Debate is conducted as a live in-person group assessment. Students must attend the session in person. Groups must upload any visual resources (e.g. PowerPoint slides) to UCLearn by 5.00pm Thursday 22 August.
Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.
Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.
UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).
UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.
Participation requirements
Students are strongly encouraged to attend all workshops on campus. The learning modules have been designed to allow students to work through the core content each week in their own time, while the workshops will build on applied practice and engage students in critical discussions.
Required IT skills
It is expected that students will possess UC IT entry skills, allowing them to access the UCLearn site.
For the Team Debate there are a range of online tools and templates (e.g. canva.com) as well as software (e.g. PowerPoint) which can be used to create any visual material. There is no requirement to purchase software or tools to complete this assignment
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
Additional information
There are topics covered in this unit that may be personal and triggering for some individuals. This may be raised by the topic presenter or included in online materials to prepare students. While there will be opportunity for reflection and discussion across the range of topics, as well as capacity for students to speak with the topic presenter, it is also encouraged that students consider accessing the University of Canberra Medical and Counselling service if they need professional support; or alternatively speaking with their GP (if located elswhere) or accessing support through established online and phone support services.
