Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description This module builds upon prior modules covering the principles and practices of laboratory assessments relevant to exercise and sports science, but provides a greater depth of scholarly enquiry into these methods, and the opportunity for small group, hand-on practical experiences of these methods. Indicative content to be covered on the module both in the classroom and in the laboratory includes but is not limited to kinanthropometry and the assessment of body composition; applied sports science support and monitoring of athletes; physiological testing and training prescription in endurance athletes; metabolic flexibility, resting metabolic rate and substrate utilisation during exercise; assessment of physical and cognitive function in elderly; assessment of pulmonary function; assessment of markers of cardiovascular disease risk by ultrasound; analysis of cell populations in blood samples; and analysis of blood-based biomarkers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Perform a range of laboratory techniques for the assessment of individuals in various health and fitness contexts 2. Perform a range of laboratory techniques for the assessment of individuals in sporting contexts. 3. Critically appraise the value and application of laboratory techniques for the assessment of individuals in various health, fitness and sporting contexts 4. Perform a needs analysis of a client/population to inform the selection of assessments of health and fitness and appropriate monitoring of health and fitness changes over time 5. Communicate the findings of various health, fitness and sports assessments to a given client/population 6. Appraise the needs of a special population group from a multidisciplinary perspective | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Measurements of human subjects Measurement, analysis and interpretation of body composition Test design and interpretation Design and implement a single test protocol which allows you to collect and analyse certain data sets. Sport performance analysis Analyse aspects such as running economy at 9 and 11km/h Lactate threshold Ventilatory threshold VO2 max vVO2 max Resting blood pressure Recovery blood pressure Metabolic calculations Calculate VE (ATPS) at rest and during the last minute of each exercise stage. The rate of energy expenditure and the percentage of fat and carbohydrate oxidised during each stage. Calculate VO2max manually and verify against the software generated value Blood analysis Undertake blood microparticle analysis will be carried out on blood samples taken before and after exercise. The technology used will be flow cytometry. Sample the blood as outlined in the protocol given during lectures. Clinical exercise testing Incremental maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer in healthy subject and to understand exercise limitation in patients with lung disease. Lung function Pulmonary function test – spirometry Maximal VO2 max on cycle ergometer with healthy subject. Blood handling Basic phlebotomy, blood handling and processing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books: None Articles: None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||