This course aims to provide the student with an in depth critical knowledge and understanding of the relationship between physical activity, fitness and health; the biological mechanisms underpinning the beneficial effects of physical activity on health; and how the quality and quantity of physical activity influences health benefits.

This course takes place in semester 2.

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Critical review essay including a lay summary of key points 50% (2000 words approx)

Outline grant application 50% (2000 words approx)

To provide the student with an in depth critical knowledge and understanding of the relationship between physical activity, fitness and health; the biological mechanisms underpinning the beneficial effects of physical activity on health; how the quality and quantity of physical activity influences health benefits.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically discuss and evaluate the epidemiology demonstrating the relationship between physical activity and health outcomes

■ Critically discuss and evaluate the effects of physical activity on lipid metabolism, insulin resistance and other aspects of vascular and metabolic risk

■ Critically discuss and evaluate how physical activity and dietary factors influence adiposity and the health risks associated with overweight and obesity

■ Critically discuss and evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of physical activity and wider lifestyle interventions on health outcomes

■ Critically discuss and evaluate the strengths and limitations of both individual studies and the body of research evidence in the current physical activity for health literature

■ Critically discuss and evaluate areas of uncertainty and gaps of knowledge in the current physical activity for health literature and design future research studies to address these issues

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.