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PHTY20050

Academic Year 2025/2026

Exercise Programming (PHTY20050)

Subject:
Physiotherapy
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Caitriona Cunningham
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module aims to facilitate student understanding of the important health benefits of physical activity and exercise and enable them devise and deliver scientifically sound and sustainable exercise programmes which meet client / service user needs. The module will provide the theoretical basis for various forms of exercise (aerobic, flexibility, resistance, neuromuscular) and the student will gain experience in planning, delivery and progression of exercise programmes for non clinical ('healthy') populations. Students will be introduced to the concept of exercise prescription for individuals with non -complex health problems by way of simple musculoskeletal case studies.

Mapped to CORU SoP: 1.1-1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.15, 2.1-2.4, 2.6, 2.7, 2.9, 2.14, 2.15, 3.1-3.7, 3.10, 3.13, 3.14, 4.1-4.4, 5.1-5.6, 5.9, 5.10, 5.15, 5.16, 5.19, 5.23, 5.25, 5.27, 5.28

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Conduct appropriate pre exercise screening of individuals, referring service users for assessment by other health professionals as deemed appropriate.
2. Plan an exercise programme, setting objectives, deciding on appropriate exercise parameters and measuring outcomes, demonstrating sound logical reasoning and problem solving skills.
3. Develop safe and effective aerobic, flexibility, resistance and neuromuscular exercise programmes for 'healthy' populations.
4. Develop and prescribe exercise programmes for individuals with non - complex health conditions (eg. a simple musculoskeletal pathology), clinically reasoning what considerations are necessary.
5. Deliver exercise programmes based on sound educational principles including good demonstration and verbal communication skills, respectful of clients' /service users' unique needs and abilities.
6. Deliver safe exercise programmes in different settings, on both individual and group basis, using various forms of exercise equipment to achieve exercise objectives.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of underlying evidence (eg. physiology, training principles) for various exercise programmes.
8. Facilitate exercise adoption and adherence when prescribing exercise, including shared decision making with clients/ service users, use of simple digital tools and underpinned by autonomy supportive, behaviour change principles.
9. Recognise need to guide clients towards community physical activity and exercise opportunities.




Indicative Module Content:

Pre Exercise Screening and Fitness Testing
Exercise Prescription theory and practice as it relates to Aerobic, Flexibility, Resistance and Neuromuscular exercise in non- clinical population

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

14

Small Group

20

Autonomous Student Learning

90

Total

124


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
-Lectures
-Exercise Prescription Practical Workshops -Small Group
-Active learning approaches include learning through development of an exercise programme participant booklet and strength exercise video (group work) for assessment purposes - resources posted to exercise portfolio

AI/Academic Integrity:
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 Recommendations:

Modules in human physiology is recommended


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
ANAT10110 - Clinical Human Anatomy I, ANAT20010 - Anatomy III, PHTY10040 - Funct Anatomy & Kinesiology

Incompatibles:
PERS10020 - Fundamentals of S & C Online, PERS10130 - Intro to Sports Injuries, SMGT10090 - Sports Science I, SMGT20020 - Sports Science II


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Video Assignment
Group assignment with students creating a video of themselves prescribing resistance exercise to a classmate (upper & lower limb + core exercise)
Week 9 Graded No
20
Yes
Exam (In-person): Written exam relating to core module content to ensure fundamental knowledge and understanding.

End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
Graded No
40
Yes
Group Work Assignment: Group (Criteria -based) Assignment to develop Exercise Manual for individual as part of a healthy lifestyle, plus in class participation Week 10 Graded No
40
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

During all Practical workshops feedback is given to students which supports preparation for end of semester exam and group assignments In class tasks will focus on E-Portfolio group assignments (Video and Exercise Manual) and feedback will be given on progress being made by students Peer review of 'submitted' group assignment (Exercise manual) will also be conducted in class as a learning exercise

Essentials of strength training and conditioning / National Strength and Conditioning Association ; Thomas R. Baechle, Roger W. Earle, editors. Book | Human Kinetics | 2008 | 3rd ed.
or
Essentials of strength training and conditioning / National Strength and Conditioning Association ; G. Gregory Haff, N. Travis Triplett, editors.
Book | Human Kinetics | 2016 | Fourth edition.


ACSM Guidelines for Exercise Testing and . 12th edition https://acsm.org/education-resources/books/guidelines-exercise-testing-prescription/


Sands WA, Wurth J, Hewit JK. The National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) BASICS OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING MANUAL.

Name Role
Dr Orla Flynn Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr James Timmons Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Garett Van Oirschot Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

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) - 1, 3, 6, 8, 11 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Once Off Offering 1 Week(s) - 2 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 3 Week(s) - 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 15:00 - 16:50