Physiology of Exercise 1 (8391.1)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Physiology of Exercise 1
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Sport And Exercise Science Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This combined lecture and practical unit examines the physiology of exercise at an introductory level. A systems approach is used, concentrating on responses of the metabolic, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, hormonal, thermoregulatory and muscular systems to exercise. The exercise response is taught as an integrated, whole body response. Although topics are covered primarily from a theoretical perspective, and may involve reference to animal models, practical applications to human performance and sports will be given as often as possible.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Apply basic knowledge of human physiology in relation to exercise;
2. Assess and differentiate the body's response to exercise; and
3. Measure and interpret a range of physiological parameters relating to exercise, sport and health.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
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

6529 Systemic Anatomy and Physiology

Corequisites

9808 Regional Anatomy and Physiology

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

6836 Physiology of Exercise 1

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 On-campus Dr Naroa Etxebarria
2025 Bruce, Canberra Winter Term 26 May 2025 On-campus Dr Naroa Etxebarria
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Naroa Etxebarria
2026 Bruce, Canberra Winter Term 08 June 2026 On-campus Dr Naroa Etxebarria
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Recommended textbook 

Powers SK and Howley ET (2024). Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance: 12th edition. McGraw-Hill Education. New York USA. ISBN10: 1264529813 | ISBN13: 9781264529810.

Required and recommended journal articles

Required and recommended journal articles will be published within the Reading List tab (left) of Canvas.

Recommended Readings/Text

Tanner RK & Gore CJ. (2013). Physiological tests for elite athletes. 2nd edition.  Australian Institute of Sport. Champaign, IL : Human Kinetics, c2013 [call number: RC1225.P49 2012]

American College of Sports Medicine. (2010) ACSM's resource manual for guidelines for exercise testing and prescription, 6th Ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. [call number RM725.R42 2010].

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Additional information on submission of assessment items:

For clarification, one (1) minute past the specified due date and time is considered a late submission.

Moderation of assessments

Please note that all assignments and exams will be moderated as outlined in the Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science Moderation Policy. A copy of this can be found on the Physiology of Exercise 1 Canvas site. 

Artificial intelligence

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Links to an external site. Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.

Special assessment requirements

To successfully complete this unit and receive a passing grade students must:

  • Attempt all assessment items (formative assessments included);

  • Attain a minimum overall aggregate mark of 50%; and

Students requesting extensions and special arrangements must submit a completed Variation to Assessment form via Canvas. Generally, there will be no extension of time beyond the last day of the semester, and only one extension will be considered for a single assessment.

Supplementary assessment

n/a

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

Attendance to the practical lab session(s) is strongly encouraged. As this unit forms part of an accredited degree, attendance to the prac session(s) is an accreditation requirement. 

Required IT skills

All students must have access to a computer that allows them to access email messages on a regular basis and permits access to the internet to complete ALL online assignments. It is expected that all students have the required UC IT entry skills to complete this unit. Computers are available on campus if needed. All students will be required to bring their laptops to the Physiology of Exercise test completed ON CAMPUS.

In-unit costs

The main costs associated with this unit are aquiring the required textbook and the printing of the weekly laboratory manuals and lecture slides.  

Work placement, internships or practicums

There are no internships or work/practical placements associated with this unit.

Additional information

IMPORTANT *** Email protocol

All emails must be sent from your student email account , otherwise anti-spam filters may prevent it from being delivered to your lecturer.

When using email to communicate with lecturers or tutors, you should always make sure that your message contains the following:

  1. A subject that contains the unit code, and clearly describes the nature of your query or request.

    1. Your lecturers receive many emails a day, and may also teach more than one unit, so if your email does not contain the unit code; it is not possible to place your message in context. If the subject does not indicate the nature of the message, it may well remain unanswered.

  2. Change the default setting on your email program to include previous messages in replies, and make sure that previous messages are included in an ongoing exchange. Your lecturer deals with many students. Having a copy of the previous exchanges included in your message will expedite a response. You should still make sure that the subject indicates what the email is about.

  3. Address your lecturer appropriately by name.

  4. State your question or request clearly and concisely.

  5. Insert a signature at the end of your email that contains:

    1. your name in full as it appears in Callista

    2. your student number

Your lecturer will inform you if there are additional requirements for communicating by email. While lecturers cannot be available online all day, in normal circumstance your lecturer will reply within 3 working days.

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