Explore UCD

UCD Home >

PERS20200

Academic Year 2025/2026

Exercise as Medicine (PERS20200)

Subject:
Performance Science
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr James Timmons
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Regular physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle at all ages and plays an important role in preventing major chronic diseases. Nonetheless, less than 50% of young people engage in a regular and adequate programme of weekly physical exercise. It is ascertained that the benefits of physical activity in childhood and adolescence track into adulthood. This is particularly important given that we are witnessing an increase in life expectancy and more and more people in most developed countries are living for longer than previous generations. In 2010 in Ireland men and women lived on average 77.9 years and 82.7 years, respectively. By 2041 22% of the Irish population will be aged 65 and over. One of the main challenges our society is facing is the improvement in the quality of life of the population, alongside the increase in life span. The key to an enhanced quality of life is to maintain a good level of physical and cognitive activity.
This module will analyse physiological and neuromuscular changes in humans across the life span and will review the role of exercise in offsetting both cognitive, physical and functional deterioration. The module will also provide an insight into wearable technology to monitor physical activity.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module students will be expected to be able to:

1. Understand the main relationships between physical activity, physical fitness, health status and psychological well-being throughout the life-course.

2. Appraise type and quantity of physical activity at different stages of the life-course and identify the best strategies for monitoring physical activity, including the use wearable sensors.

3. Outline and evaluate the physiological mechanisms which underlie common degenerative diseases.

4. Summarise the main benefits of physical activity and make recommendations to the general population during a public presentation.

5. Review and interpret current concepts on exercise and physical activity from a range of scientific sources and clearly communicate the information using academic writing style.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to the module. Research Methods in epidemiology
Exercise & Children
Wearable sensors for monitoring physical activity
Exercise prescription
Exercise prescription in times of Covid-19
Exercise and coronary heart disease
Exercise and obesity
Cognitive function and balance. Dexterity.
Age-related decline of the neuromuscular system; sarcopenia; Steadiness
The role of psychology in physical activity behaviour change

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Lectures

24
Practical

8
Total

108

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; critical writing; student presentations.

Staff may utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the programme to support teaching and learning and it will be clearly indicated if and when AI is used. Students are prohibited from representing work as their own that they did not write, code or create. Submission of AI-generated content to this Module by a student without explicit permission and attribution is not allowed and it may reflect unacceptable professional behaviour. This may result in the initiation of a student disciplinary procedure in accordance with the University Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity Policy.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

PERS10120 Science of Human Performance I


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
PERS10120 - Sci of Human Perf I


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Group Oral Presentation Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: Practical Exam Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes
30
 Yes
Viva Voce: Individual - Viva Voce Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
35
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Practical Participation Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 8, Week 10, Week 12 Other No
10
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback offered on request following assessment

Indicative reading
Journal article references supplied weekly through Brightspace, where appropriate

Suggested reading (specific sections as covered in classes):

• Hardmann A and Stensel D. Physical Activity and Health. The Evidence Explained. Routledge, 2009
• Lee IM, Blair S, Manson J, Paffenbarger RS Jr. Epidemiologic Methods in Physical Activity Studies. Oxford, 2009
• McKenna J and Riddoch C. Perspectives on Health and Exercise. Palgrave Macmillan, 2003
• Bouchard C, Blair SN, Haskell WL. Physical Activity and Health. Human Kinetics, 2007
• Holt NL. Lifelong Engagement in Sport and Physical Activity. Routledge, 2012
• Taylor A and Johnson M. Physiology of Exercise and Healthy Aging. Human Kinetics, 2008
• Tulle E, Phoenix C. Physical Activity and Sport in Later Life: Critical Perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan, 2015
• Poon L, Chodzko-Zajko W, Tomporowski P. Active Living, Cognitive Functioning, and Aging. Human Kinetics, 2006

Additional information
Useful websites on physical activity (retrieved 02/06/21)


Irish government physical activity guidelines:
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/healthy-ireland/
https://assets.gov.ie/7555/62842eef4b13413494b13340fff9077d.pdf

Get Ireland Active:
https://assets.gov.ie/7563/23f51643fd1d4ad7abf529e58c8d8041.pdf

UK government physical activity guidelines:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-physical-activity-guidelines
NHS physical activity guidelines:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-adults.aspx

American government physical activity guidelines:
https://health.gov/paguidelines/
US national physical activity plan
http://www.physicalactivityplan.org/docs/2016NPAP_Finalforwebsite.pdf
ACSM position stands
https://www.acsm.org/acsm-positions-policy/official-positions/ACSM-position-stands

Name Role
Assoc Professor James Matthews Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Even Weeks Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - Autumn: Even Weeks Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - Autumn: Even Weeks Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - Autumn: Even Weeks Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.