NNEK24004U Exercise Metabolism and Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Adaptations

Volume 2026/2027
Education

MSc Programme in Human Physiology

Content

The course aims at providing the student with in-depth understanding of the adaptation of tissues and organs to physical activity and exercise with emphasis on skeletal muscle. This includes morphology, biogenesis, enzyme and transport mechanisms, as well as resulting metabolic changes at rest and during exercise. The knowledge gained during the course will be put into relevant health and functional context (e.g. glucose metabolism, muscle growth and performance).

Learning Outcome

Throughout the course, the student achieves the following:

Knowledge:

  • Explain the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying exercise-induced adaptations in skeletal muscle and their interactions with other tissues.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the methods used to elucidate exercise-induced tissue adaptations.

Skills:

  • Be able to comprehend and interpret physiological data. This would also include aspects of complex data sets, such as omics-based data (volcano plots, PCA, enrichment analysis, etc.).
  • Formulate connections based on scientific original literature and, based on this, critically articulate and support one's own understanding.
  • Be capable of applying theoretical knowledge about organ effects of physical activity to practical use. For example, in relation to insulin resistance, muscle function and dyslipidemia.

Competencies:

  • Demonstrate competence in placing the acquired knowledge in a health-related context.
  • Exhibit competencies in synthesis and perspective based on the understanding obtained through the study of original scientific literature.
  • Be able to demonstrate competencies in translating scientific issues within the subject into practical applications.

The literature will be provided before the start of the course on Absalon.

Courses in human physiology are recommended. The course assumes expertise equivalent to a completed Bachelor's degree within exercise science, physiology, physical activity, biomedicine or a related area.
The course includes lectures, group work, and student presentations. Throughout the course, written assignments will be given, including both individual and group tasks. Emphasis is placed on in-depth exploration and knowledge sharing.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 35
  • Preparation
  • 144
  • Theory exercises
  • 21
  • Practical exercises
  • 5
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
7.5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral exam on basis of previous submission, 25 minutes (no preparation time)
Type of assessment details
Oral Examination Based on Project Work

The project report is written in groups of 4–5 students. For the oral examination, each report group is split into two halves, forming default groups of 2–3 for the exam itself.

In special cases, if a student is deemed by the course responsibles not to have contributed to the report writing within their group, individual project work and examination will be used instead.

The oral examination lasts 25 minutes and consists of:

A 7-minute group presentation of the project work
A discussion covering the entire syllabus

There is no preparation time. Each student is graded individually.

In order to access the oral exam the submission (project work) must be submitted at least one week before.
Aid
No aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Same as ordinary exam.

 
If the student has not submitted the project work prior to the ordinary exam this must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the oral re-exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning Outcome