NNEK24006U Physical Activity and Metabolic Health

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Human Physiology

Content

The course covers the mechanistic basis of the health-related benefits of physical activity with a particular focus on metabolism and endocrinology. A key focus of the course is to illuminate physiological and molecular regulatory mechanisms underpinning the effects of physical activity encompassing various forms of physical activity. Topics are addressed based on scientific articles contributing evidence from quantitative (intervention studies) (primary) and epidemiological (secondary) investigations. Topics related to the metabolic syndrome are discussed during the first part of the course, including cardiovascular disease with a connection to lipoprotein metabolism, diabetes (primarily Type 2), insulin resistance, and obesity.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

The student will gain knowledge of physiological and molecular factors related to the metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, lipoprotein metabolism, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity. Furthermore, the student will acquire an understanding of the effects of isolated physical activity and exercise on these factors.

 

Skills:

The student can employ physiological, evidence-based arguments for the significance of physical activity for health, both verbally and in writing.

 

Competencies:

The student can compare and evaluate scientific articles and synthesize knowledge concerning the importance of physical activity for health.

Course literature will be announced at study start on the course’s Absalon page.

The course requires expertise equivalent to a completed Bachelor's degree within physical activity, physiology, biomedicine, or a related area. In addition, without knowledge of human physiology from courses at a Master's level, the course can be challenging to follow.
Problem-based learning (PBL), student presentations, and lectures.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Class Instruction
  • 30
  • Preparation
  • 108
  • Theory exercises
  • 40
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
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, 20 min.
Type of assessment details
Oral examination based on synopsis.
The synopsis is done in a group, but the oral examination is individual.
In groups of 3-5 individuals, a written synopsis (3 pages) is prepared on a self-selected problem or topic.

In order to acces the oral exam the submission (group synopsis) must be submitted during the course.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Internal grading. More assessors.
Re-exam

Same as the ordinary exam. The original synopsis can be used or a new individual synopsis can be developed. The synopsis has to be submitted one week before exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

Please see ”Learning Outcome”