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.

Please note that there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2023 Units. All assessment changes will be published by 20th February 2023. All students are reminded to check the handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Clinical Exercise Physiology: Neurological and Neuromuscular
  • Unit Code

    SPS4117
  • Year

    2023
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    20
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Prof Anthony John BLAZEVICH

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

Seminars, tutorials and laboratories.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass SPS3301 or SPS2505

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Explain fundamental concepts in functional neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and pharmacology using correct terminology.
  2. Discuss anatomical, physiological, and pathophysiological mechanisms of neurological and neuromuscular diseases and illnesses with diverse groups.
  3. Apply contemporary neurological and neuromuscular testing and training procedures in clinical environments.
  4. Formulate evidence informed exercise testing and training plans for clients with a neurological or neuromuscular disease or illness.

Unit Content

  1. Essential neuroanatomy and neurophysiology knowledge
  2. Mechanisms of neural transmission in sensory and motor pathways
  3. Mechanisms of neuroplasticity and cortical reorganisation
  4. 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, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, peripheral neuropathy, motor neurone diseases and chronic pain.
  5. Pathophysiology, symptoms, comorbidities, risk factors and common treatments for a range of neurological and neuromuscular disorders
  6. Clinical measurement of gait, balance, coordination, muscle weakness, spasticity and fatigue
  7. Prescription of targeted clinical exercise testing and training programs for clinical populations
  8. 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.
  9. The interdisciplinary approach to neurorehabilitation
  10. 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 a client's functional and exercise capacities and/or establish the efficacy of a clinical exercise intervention used in neurorehabilitation.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 19 x 3 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 19 x 3 hour seminarNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Interpretation of complex information to make it relevant to clients through group seminar tasks and the Project; Development of clinical skills through Seminars, practical laboratory class sessions; Improved independent, ongoing learning skills through self-directed student activities and the Project. Laboratory classes provide students with the opportunity to interpret and discuss complex information and apply their knowledge to different client scenarios. Students gain experience and are assessed on their ability to apply neurological and neuromuscular testing and training procedures in simulated clinical environments during laboratory sessions. As part of the project requirements, students work in small groups to evaluate treatment modalities and formulate exercise testing and training plans to support clients, building their teamwork and collaboration skills, as well as their clinical reasoning and self-management capabilities.

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 School Progression Panel.

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 information 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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestNeuroanatomy and neurophysiology knowledge20%
ProjectNeurological training and testing plan40%
Examination ^End of semester examination40%

^ Mandatory to Pass


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

SPS4117|2|1

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

    2023
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    20
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Prof Anthony John BLAZEVICH

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

Seminars, tutorials and laboratories.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass SPS3301 or SPS2505

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Explain fundamental concepts in functional neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and pharmacology using correct terminology.
  2. Discuss anatomical, physiological, and pathophysiological mechanisms of neurological and neuromuscular diseases and illnesses with diverse groups.
  3. Apply contemporary neurological and neuromuscular testing and training procedures in clinical environments.
  4. Formulate evidence informed exercise testing and training plans for clients with a neurological or neuromuscular disease or illness.

Unit Content

  1. Essential neuroanatomy and neurophysiology knowledge
  2. Mechanisms of neural transmission in sensory and motor pathways
  3. Mechanisms of neuroplasticity and cortical reorganisation
  4. 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, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, peripheral neuropathy, motor neurone diseases and chronic pain.
  5. Pathophysiology, symptoms, comorbidities, risk factors and common treatments for a range of neurological and neuromuscular disorders
  6. Clinical measurement of gait, balance, coordination, muscle weakness, spasticity and fatigue
  7. Prescription of targeted clinical exercise testing and training programs for clinical populations
  8. 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.
  9. The interdisciplinary approach to neurorehabilitation
  10. 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 a client's functional and exercise capacities and/or establish the efficacy of a clinical exercise intervention used in neurorehabilitation.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 19 x 3 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 19 x 3 hour seminarNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Interpretation of complex information to make it relevant to clients through group seminar tasks and the Project; Development of clinical skills through Seminars, practical laboratory class sessions; Improved independent, ongoing learning skills through self-directed student activities and the Project. Laboratory classes provide students with the opportunity to interpret and discuss complex information and apply their knowledge to different client scenarios. Students gain experience and are assessed on their ability to apply neurological and neuromuscular testing and training procedures in simulated clinical environments during laboratory sessions. As part of the project requirements, students work in small groups to evaluate treatment modalities and formulate exercise testing and training plans to support clients, building their teamwork and collaboration skills, as well as their clinical reasoning and self-management capabilities.

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 School Progression Panel.

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 information 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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestNeuroanatomy and neurophysiology knowledge20%
ProjectNeurological training and testing plan40%
Examination ^End of semester examination40%

^ Mandatory to Pass


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

SPS4117|2|2