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PHTY30110

Academic Year 2025/2026

Clinical Exercise (PHTY30110)

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

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module comprises lectures and small group teaching relating to evidence based exercise prescription for promotion of health and rehabilitation of individuals
with (but not limited to) cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic (eg. obesity), cancer, musculoskeletal , neurological , mental conditions (eg. depression) and where
multiple morbidities coexist. Module content includes evidence review, patient assessment / pre screening for exercise , exercise programme planning and
delivery and measurement of outcome. Development of skills for embedding physical activity and delivery of safe and effective exercise programmes in clinical
practice is facilitated, incorporating behaviour change principles. Students are given an opportunity to conduct exercise screening and prescription during class.
This module contributes to students becoming autonomous physiotherapy practitioners, proficient in exercise prescription for rehabilitation and prevention and
management of chronic disease in diverse patient populations. Engagement with other health disciplines and inter sectoral approaches are encouraged as appropriate.

Mapped to CORU SoP: 1.1-1.6, 1.8-1.11, 1.13, 1.15-1.17, 1.19, 2.1-2.4, 2.6, 2.7, 2.9, 2.12-2.15, 3.1-3.8, 4.3, 5.1-5.20, 5.23, 5.25-5.28







About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1.Understand theoretical concepts of exercise for health promotion and rehabilitation in general ,cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic (eg diabetes), cancer, musculoskeletal, neurological, mental illness and 'multiple morbidity' populations.
2. Discuss the assessment principles, precautions and contra-indications relating to exercise programmes for these populations, knowing when to refer patients onwards for additional expertise and how to practise within the legal, professional and ethical boundaries of Physiotherapy.
3. Conduct exercise screening, devise, instruct, progress safe, appropriate, priority driven and effective exercise programmes for diverse patient populations respecting client confidentiality.
4. Utilise effective exercise instruction/communication skills, adapting to unique client/ service user requirements with regard for individual preferences, cultural diversity and principles of informed consent.
5. Use education and behaviour change principles to underpin exercise prescription , including shared decision making with clients/service users to promote self management and availing of family and intersectoral, community support and opportunities to facilitate and empower sustained exercise behaviours.
6. Evaluate efficacy of exercise programmes, monitoring and reflecting on practice and appropriately evaluating outcomes of exercise interventions including relative benefits of
different exercise doses (Frequency, Intensity, Type and Time) ,exercise settings, online versus in person and group versus individual exercise.
7. Discuss the evidence supporting the use of exercise in health promotion and rehabilitation for specific client/service user populations.
8. Promote active lifestyles and develop structured exercise programmes for individuals with chronic disease and disability from a diversity of sociocultural backgrounds, empowering individuals and advocating on their behalf.

Indicative Module Content:

Pre Exercise Screening
Safety Considerations when exercising
Effective Exercise Dose (Frequency, intensity, Type and Time)
Exercise Programme Evaluation/Outcome Measurement
Evidence Based Exercise for prevention of disease onset and management of chronic disease
Practical Exercise Prescription -Experiential learning
Exercise Programme Design
Physical Activity and Exercise Promotion
Behaviour Change Approaches to facilitate Physical Activity and Exercise adoption and ongoing participation
Integration of exercise prescription in healthcare and community settings

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

30

Autonomous Student Learning

60

Lectures

17

Small Group

12

Total

119


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Clinical Exercise will be delivered via Lectures and a series of Small Group Workshops focusing on exercise programme design and delivery and case study discussion. Active participation is encouraged with emphasis on becoming an autonomous practitioner, competent in safe and effective exercise prescription for clinical populations. A module assessment requires development of an Exercise Manual for Physiotherapists planning to deliver a programme for a specific clinical population and facilitates learning regarding the multiple considerations required to deliver safe, inclusive and effective clinical exercise programmes in the community.

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 Exclusions:

This module may not be taken with Fundamentals of S & C Online (PERS10020) or Intro to Sports Injuries (PERS10130).


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
PHTY20050 - Exercise Programming, PHTY20070 - Musculoskeletal 1 Upper Limb, PHTY20140 - Physio Pract II(Clinic Ed II), PHTY20150 - Cardiorespiratory 1, PHTY20160 - Neurology 1

Co-requisite:
PHTY30090 - Cardiorespiratory 2, PHTY30470 - Clinical Education 1, PHTY30480 - Clinical Education 2


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (Online): (Online) MCQ completed in classroom under supervision
Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
50
Yes
Group Work Assignment: Exercise Manual (Criteria based) for Physiotherapists delivering a Community Exercise Programme for a specific Clinical Population Week 9 Graded No
40
Yes
Participation in Learning Activities: Active engagement in classes Week 12 Graded No
10
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?

Small Group Workshops provide opportunity for teacher and peer feedback. In Class feedback supports preparation/ monitoring of progress being made with written Exercise Manual group assignment Trial MCQ with feedback is provided a number of weeks in advance of the actual Week 12 MCQ. Peer Review of completed Exercise Manuals is facilitated and module coordinator feedback is provided in class

ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 2017, update Feb 2021

ACSM’s Clinical Exercise Physiology. Wolters Kluwer, 2019

The National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) BASICS OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING MANUAL Dr. William A. Sands | Jacob J. Wurth | Dr. Jennifer K. Hewit.

Other Resources:

American College Sport Medicine https://www.acsm.org

American Institute for Cancer Research

https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/exposures/physical-activity

British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and
Rehab https://www.bacpr.com/pages/default.asp

Cochrane Database
http://www.cochrane.org

European Society of Cardiology https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Diabete
s-Pre-Diabetes-and-Cardiovascular-Diseases-developed-with-the-EASD

http://copd.ie/living-with-copd/pulmonary-rehabilitation/

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
https://goldcopd.org/

HSE Exercise and Mental Health
https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/mental-health/exercise-and-your-mental-

health.html

Irish Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and- support/cancer-prevention/

National Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Curriculum

https://www.hse.ie/mecc-undergradcurriculum/

National Osteoporosis Foundation
https://www.nof.org/

National Clinical Programme Diabetes

https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/ncps/diabetes/

Name Role
Dr Julie Broderick Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Olive Lennon Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Gráinne O'Donoghue Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 25, 31 Thurs 11:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Small Group Offering 2 Week(s) - 23, 24, 26, 29, 30, 32 Thurs 11:00 - 12:50
Spring Small Group Offering 3 Week(s) - 23, 24, 26, 29, 30, 32 Thurs 11:00 - 12:50
Spring Small Group Offering 4 Week(s) - 23, 24, 26, 29, 30, 32 Thurs 11:00 - 12:50