NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas

Motor Control and Exercise Physiology

Code

MF03

Credits

6

Teacher in charge

Pedro Soares Branco

Teaching language

Portuguese/ English

Objectives

This curricular unit aims to extend students' knowledge in Exercise Physiology and in the principles of Motor Control. The students should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the bioenergetics of movement and the mechanisms and impact of muscle tiredness (fatigue) (central and peripheral); the neuromuscular and cardiovascular adaptations to exercise; the structural components of exercise and respective application principles; Physiology and exercise methodology and its use within physiotherapy; Skills for the assessment and Prescription of exercise, (exercise assessment and prescription skills) including the types and components of a training session and the assessment of physical capacities.

Prerequisites

Musculoskeletal conditions

Subject matter

Syllabus:

- Overview of the Neurophysiology of the motor function, vision & hearing function

- Motor control in relation with the central and peripheral nervous system

- Motor control and the process of ageing

- Physiology and exercise methodology: use within physiotherapy

- Bioenergetics for movement

- Central and Peripheral tiredness

- Neuromuscular and cardiovascular adaptations to exercise

- Principles and components for the application of exercise

- Assessment and Prescription of exercise

- Types and components of a training session

- Assessment scales of physical capacities and Functional Assessment Scales

- Computarized Posturography - applications for assessment and intervention

Bibliography

- ACSM;ACSM's Resource Manual for guidelines for exercise testing and prescription, Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 3rd edition, 1998

- Powers, S. Howley, E.;Fisiologia do exercício: Teoria e aplicação ao condicionamento e ao desempenho, Manole, 2000

- Enoka, R;Neuromechanics of human movement, Human Kinetics, 3rd edition

- Winter, D. A.;Biomechanics and motor control of human movement, John Wiley & Sons., 2005

Teaching method

Teaching and learning strategies includes lectures and seminars, practical classes based on case based clinical scenarios and on clinical skills lab, and self-directed Learning.

Evaluation method

The assessment methods include a multiple choice written test of 2-hour length (100%). The students must have a classification of a minimum of 50% in the assessment activity. In the case of failure the student will repeat the assignment in a supplementary examination.

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