Program Overview

Program Overview

The program in question appears to be a university course, specifically EXSC632 - Clinical Assessment and Exercise for Neurological Conditions. This unit is designed for postgraduate students, particularly those in the field of exercise physiology, aiming to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and design exercise interventions for individuals with neurological conditions.

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

The rationale behind this unit is to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in assessing and managing neurological conditions through exercise physiology. The description outlines that the unit will cover the principles of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, motor control, and neuroplasticity, as well as the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders. The aim is for students to become proficient in determining neurologic injury and in the exercise-based rehabilitation of general neurological impairments and specific neurological disorders.

Campus Offerings

This unit is offered in multi-mode delivery across several campuses, including Brisbane, Melbourne, and Strathfield. The term and mode of delivery may vary, with Semester 1 being mentioned as a specific term for multi-mode delivery.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites listed for this unit, indicating it may be designed as a standalone course or that prerequisites are assumed based on the student's prior degree or coursework.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes for this unit are detailed and include:

• Demonstrating advanced, coherent knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and evidence-based clinical assessment and exercise interventions relevant to neurological conditions.
• Demonstrating critical thinking and clinical reasoning to design and justify safe and effective person-centered exercise interventions.
• Selectively applying evidence-based clinical assessments for individuals with neurological conditions and demonstrating critical thinking and clinical decision-making to interpret findings.
• Demonstrating the ability to design, deliver, monitor, and adapt safe and effective person-centered exercise interventions for individuals with neurological conditions.

Content

The content of the unit covers a wide range of topics, including the nervous system, neurological disorders (such as stroke, spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis), pathophysiology, common treatments, evaluation of neuromuscular function, principles of exercise prescription, and assessment of clinical outcomes.

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

The assessment strategy includes a group project, an audiovisual presentation, and a practical examination. Each assessment task is designed to evaluate specific learning outcomes, with a focus on applying knowledge and skills in clinical practice. The practical examination is a graded hurdle that must be passed with a score of ≥50% to pass the unit.

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

The learning and teaching strategy is based on a blend of constructivism, social constructivism, and experiential learning, focusing on active participation, critical thinking, and the development of a community of inquiry. Activities include guided readings, lectures, web-based activities, and practical workshops designed to facilitate the acquisition of advanced knowledge and skills.

Representative Texts and References

Key texts for this unit include "Neurological Rehabilitation: Optimizing Motor Performance" by Carr and Shepherd, "Motor Control: Translating Research into Clinical Practice" by Shumway-Cook and Woollacott, and "ACSM's Clinical Exercise Physiology" by Thompson and Ozemek.

Locations and Credit Points

The unit is available in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Strathfield, and it carries 10 credit points.