IDR963 Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of non-communicable disease

Teaching language

English or Norwegian

Recommended prerequisites

Basic understanding of biostatistics, epidemiology, physiology and the relationship between physical activity and health across the lifespan.

Course contents

Main themes in the course: 

• the overall evidence and the research processes that underlie the understanding of physical activity as a prevention/treatment of lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases, including a historical perspective.
• the etiology, pathogenesis of the disease(s), and sequelae (side effects and late effects) associated with the following conditions and diseases requiring treatment: e.g. metabolic diseases (i.e. obesity and type 2 diabetes), cardio-pulmonary diseases (i.e. ischemic heart disease), musculoskeletal diseases (i.e. osteoarthritis and osteoporosis), cancer, age-related and neurodegenerative diseases (i.e. sarcopenia and brain health), mental health (i.e. depression and anxiety).
• acute and long-term adaptations to physical training as both prevention and treatment of the disease.
• recommended exercise strategies in both prevention and treatment context.

In the course, the students will work with patient cases as group assignments to make the theory close to practice.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the students:

Knowledge

• have advanced knowledge of the etiology, pathogenesis of the non-communicable diseases (e.g. metabolic-, cardio-pulmonary-, musculoskeletal, mental diseases, cancer, age-related and neurodegenerative diseases), diagnosis/treatment, and sequelae (side effects and late effects) associated with these conditions.
• have thorough knowledge on how this potentially can influence patients’ exercise compliance and outcomes.
• have thorough knowledge of the basal physiological effects of physical activity and exercise-based treatment strategies targeting selected patient groups.

Skills

• have developed skills in how to critically evaluate the evidence-based literature, based on the curriculum (including original studies and review articles/reports)
• have developed skills in how to perform competent oral and written academic communication of research in exercise therapy.
• have developed skills in how to justify training-based interventions targeting selected patient groups.

General competence

• have competencies to apply the skills and knowledge in a practice-relevant context in prevention and management of medical/non-communicable conditions in an interdisciplinary context.

Examination requirements

The group assignments must be approved, as well as 80% compulsory attendance to lectures and group work.

Additional/specific information will be available in Canvas.

Teaching methods

The teaching follows the FAIR principles: provide feedback to the student, engage the student in active learning, individualize the learning to the personal needs of the student, and make the learning relevant.

The following types of teaching and work will occur in the course: lectures, group work and review of scientific articles in small groups, including discussions and article-based problem solving.

The following forms of feedback will occur in the course: teacher feedback, peer feedback (one-to-one or in groups)

80 % compulsory attendance to lectures and group work is required.  

Expected workload in this course is 135 hours.

Evaluation

The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with the student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.

Admission Requirement if given as Single Standing Module

A Bachelor's degree in public health work, physiotherapy, sports or physical education, nutrition, nursing, authorized social education or medicine. Applicants with other college or university health education at an equivalent level of education can, after individual assessment, be admitted as students.

Applicants must have two years of work experience before or after completing the Bachelor’s degree.

Assessment methods and criteria

A three hour individually written examination under supervision. Grades A-F will be given.