Module: Exercise Referral & Physical activity Promotion

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Exercise Referral & Physical activity Promotion
Module Code	SPO1028 (ITS: SS306)
Faculty	Health & Human Performance	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To integrate and apply principles of exercise medicine and health psychology to effectively develop and implement physical activity programming and intervention in a variety of clinical population groups.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the pathophysiology and clinical aspects affecting exercise capacity and the role of exercise as treatment in chronic illnesses
2. Demonstrate knowledge of evidence-based current practices in relation to the role of exercise in chronic illness management
3. Identify strategies for increasing exercise adherence and critically evaluate their effectiveness
4. Demonstrate the ability to make informed and defensible decisions.
5. Design an exercise intervention based on critical review and application of theoretical and research evidence

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	10	No Description
Seminars	10	No Description
Independent Study	80	Independent study
Group work	25	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11586	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Hannah Goss	Module Teacher	Anna Donnla O'Hagan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	MCQ	30%	Week 5
In Class Test	MCQ	30%	Week 9
Group presentation	Design a theory-informed intervention to improve exercise adherence and long-term physical activity participation in a patient group.	40%	Week 11

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Physical activity and health

Exercise referral and rehabilitation: The context

Non-communicable diseases

Exercise prescription for cardiovascular disease; hypertension; diabetes; obesity; cancer and various health conditions.

Development and evaluation of health promotion interventions

Behaviour change strategies

Indicative Reading List

Books:

American College of Sports Medicine: 2018, ACSMâ€™s Guidelines for exercise testing and prescription, 10th, Wolters Kluwer Health, Philadelphia, 97814963390
Saxton, J: 2011, Exercise and chronic disease: an evidence-based approach, Routledge, London, 0415498600
Buckworth, J., Dishman, R.K., Oâ€™Connor, P. & Tomprowski, P.Ds.: 2013, Exercise Psychology, 2nd, Human Kinetics, Champaign,
Bess Marcus,LeighAnn H. Forsyth,LeighAnn Forsyth: 2009, Motivating People to be Physically Active, Human Kinetics Publishers, 200, 0736072470

Articles:

Rhodes,R.E., McEwan, D., & Rebar, A.L.: 2019, Theories of physical activity behaviour change: A history and synthesis of approaches, Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 42, 100, 522660
2017: Physical activity: Health impact, prevalence, correlates and interventions, Psychology and Health, 32, 942, 522661, 1
Exercise, physical activity and self-determination theory. A systematic review: Int J Beh Nutr & Physical activity, 9, 78,

Other Resources

None