Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Clinical Exercise Physiology: Neurological and Neuromuscular

• Unit Code

  SPS4117

• Year

  2017

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

• Unit Coordinator

  A/Prof Anthony John BLAZEVICH

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Description

This unit examines the use of therapeutic exercise as a treatment modality in the context of neurorehabilitation. Clinical assessment of impaired movement and function is explored in relation to neurological and neuromuscular disorders. Human sensorimotor function and pathophysiology is covered, and the therapeutic benefits of common neurological treatments and ground-breaking discoveries are discussed. Principles of evidence-based medicine used to evaluate the efficacy of clinical exercise interventions are investigated in classroom, laboratory and clinical settings.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

Lectures, tutorials and laboratories.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from SPS3302

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Access and interpret scientific and clinical data with reference to neurophysiological and neurorehabilitation literature; and use this data to inform your own practice.
2. Apply this information in a clinical setting to determine a clients clinical status, assess their exercise capacity and risk of injury, recognise signs/symptoms of adverse reactions.
3. Apply this information in the prescription of appropriate client-centred therapeutic exercise programs.
4. Discuss the typical effects on exercise responses and risk factors associated with neurological and neuromuscular disorders, and medications commonly prescribed to treat these disorders.
5. Explain the fundamental concepts in functional neuroanatomy, particularly relating to sensorimotor structures and the neural pathways involved in movement.
6. Explain the psychological factors associated with living with chronic neurological or neuromuscular conditions, and use this knowledge to develop strategies to effectively communicate with clients and their families in an appropriate and respectful manner.
7. Formulate appropriate clinical outcome measures to evaluate and monitor clients sensorimotor function and their functional capacity in activities of daily living.
8. Identify the pathophysiology and symptoms occurring in a range of neurological and neuromuscular disorders.
9. Understand the role of therapeutic exercise as a treatment modality in the interdisciplinary approach to neurorehabilitation.
10. Use this information to establish the efficacy of prescribed exercise programs on a group or individual basis, and modify treatment accordingly.

Unit Content

1. Aspects of neuro-motor control including complex multi-level feedback/forward neural pathways, physiological and neuromechanical properties of skeletal muscle, and the importance of sensory integration.
2. Clinical measures of sensorimotor function including balance, gait, movement precision, coordination, muscle weakness, spasticity and fatigue; and outcome measures that may be used to assess clients functional and exercise capacities and/or establish the efficacy of a clinical exercise intervention used in neurorehabilitation.
3. Factors involved in prescribing appropriate, targeted clinical exercise interventions for clients with different neuromuscular and neuromuscular disorders optimising the therapeutic benefit of prescribed exercise for the neurorehabilitation client; preventing secondary illness.
4. Features of information conduction and transmission in the nervous system including neuron structure and classification, conduction of an action potential and synaptic transmission.
5. Fundamental elements of functional neuroanatomy including cortical organisation, inputs and outputs of the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, thalamus, basal ganglia, spinal tracts, the effects of select lesions to these structures, and methods used to study the brain.
6. Neuroplasticity and cortical reorganisation - considerations and implications for neurorehabilitation.
7. Pathophysiology, symptoms, co-morbidities, risk factors and common treatments for a range of neurological and neuromuscular disorders including - cerebrovascular accident (stroke), spinal cord injury, traumatic/acquired brain injury, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, motor neurone diseases and chronic pain.
8. The interdisciplinary approach to neurorehabilitation.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars, practical laboratory sessions, self-directed student activities.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

^ Mandatory to Pass

Core Reading(s)

• of Sports Medicine, A. C. (2010). ACSM's resources for clinical exercise physiology: Musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, neoplastic, immunologic and hematologic conditions (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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