Clinical Exercise Physiology for Neurological Conditions

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2027/05

Institute / School :

Institute of Health and Wellbeing

Unit Title:

Clinical Exercise Physiology for Neurological Conditions

Unit ID:

EXPHS4002

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

Co-requisite(s):

Exclusion(s):

ASCED:

061799

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

This unit develops the knowledge and practical skills required to design, implement, and evaluate clinical exercise physiology programs for individuals with neurological conditions. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of physiology, clinical presentation, and functional impairments associated with a range of progressive and non-progressive neurological disorders.

Neurological conditions present unique and complex challenges for exercise prescription, including impairments in motor control, cognition, fatigue, and functional capacity. This unit prepares graduates to safely and effectively apply clinical exercise physiology principles within this population. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based clinical management, including the selection and interpretation of appropriate assessment outcome measures to inform, justify, and guide tailored exercise intervention.

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

Placement Component: No

Supplementary Assessment:Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

Skills:

Application of knowledge and skills:

Unit Content:

Pathophysiology of pain
Clinical manifestations of neurological conditions
Progressive neurological conditions (including but not limited to): Motor Neuron Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, and Parkinson's Disease
Non-progressive neurological conditions (including but not limited to): Cerebral Palsy, Stroke, Acquired/Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, and Peripheral Nerve Injury
Principles of functional exercise physiology
Motor control, motor abilities and motor adaptations
Neurological exercise physiology program design
Clinical exercise physiology strategies for neurological conditions
Client transfers - planning, cueing, guarding and supporting, and No lift general manual handling guarding and support while supervising exercises and activities of daily living (ADLs)

Graduate Attributes:

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting	Professional Standards
1.	1, 2, 3	Completion of self-directed study questions and study of class theoretical content.	Theory exam	20-40%
2.	2, 3, 4	Completion of practically assessed case study scenario involving assessment and prescription components.	Oral/Practical exam (mid-semester)	20-40%
3.	2, 3, 4	Completion of practically assessed case study scenario involving assessment and prescription components.	Oral/Practical exam (end of semester)	20-40%

Adopted Reference Style:

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency