Program Overview

Unit Overview

The Exercise Physiology unit, CXA237, is designed to develop students' ability to critically explain and apply physiological principles that underpin human responses and adaptations to exercise.

Introduction

By engaging with this unit, students will build skills to analyze respiratory, cardiovascular, muscular, neural, and endocrine contributions to exercise performance, as well as evaluate mechanisms of fatigue, thermoregulation, and acidbase balance. Students will strengthen their capacity to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical contexts, enabling them to assess exercise limitations, consider the role of ergogenic aids, and make evidence-based recommendations for performance and health.

Summary

• Unit name: Exercise Physiology
• Unit code: CXA237
• Credit points: 12.5
• College/School: Health
• School of Health Sciences
• Discipline: Health Sciences
• Coordinator: Associate Professor Darren Henstridge
• Available as an elective: Yes
• Delivered By: University of Tasmania
• Level: Intermediate

Availability

• Location: Launceston
• Study period: Semester 1
• Attendance options: On-campus
• Available to: Domestic students

Key Dates

• Study Period: Semester 1
• Start date: 23/2/2026
• Census date: 17/3/2026
• WW date: 20/4/2026
• End date: 14/6/2026

Learning Outcomes

• Describe and evaluate the normal metabolic, cardio-respiratory, endocrine, neural, and musculoskeletal responses to exercise and the physiological mechanisms that control these variables.
• Describe and evaluate the external factors that influence exercise performance.
• Collect, analyse, and interpret information (data) that describes physiological responses to acute and chronic exercise.
• Communicate and summarize exercise physiology concepts with figures and tables in a scientific manner.

Fee Information

• Field of Education:
• Commencing Student Contribution: $2,174.00
• Grandfathered Student Contribution: $1,020.00
• Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution: Not applicable
• Domestic Full Fee: $2,562.00

Requisites

Prerequisites

(CZZ101 and CZZ102) or CXA107

Teaching

• Teaching Pattern: Practical (2 hours x 7 times); Tutorial (1hr x 4 times); Online content (2-5hrs x 12 times)
• Assessment: Mid-Semester Test (10%); Final Examination (40%); Practical Reports (50%)
• Timetable: View the lecture timetable; View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

• Required: McArdle, W.D., Katch, F.I. & Katch, V.L. (2015). Exercise Physiology, Nutrition, Energy and Human Performance. 8th Ed. Wolters Kluwer.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals.