Module 1: Course Introduction and Neuromuscular Anatomy, Physiology, Growth, and Catabolism and Article Review #1, Muscle Signaling Podcast Assignment, and Muscle Damage Dramatization Activity. Overview of course expectations, instructor introduction, and essential course resources. Further, discuss and apply neuromuscular system anatomy (macro to micro organization and force transmission of skeletal muscle), neuromuscular physiology (fiber types and muscle force production), and skeletal muscle growth, catabolism, and differentiation physiology. Students will search for, read, and critically evaluate peer-reviewed journal article pertaining to this module’s topics. Students will also listen to a guided podcast assignment on muscle signaling unique to adaptations for aerobic and resistance training from Dr. Keith Baar, a leading skeletal muscle researcher. Students will also partake in a dramatization where they will be given a role to play in small groups of the entire physiological process of skeletal muscle damage to repair in order to enhance their learning of this process.
Module 2: Bioenergetic, Acidosis, and Fatigue, Integrative Biology of Exercise Podcast, and Exam #1. Discuss and apply bioenergetics and metabolism of exercise including part I primer for exercising muscle, part II metabolic pathways for exercising muscle, and part III – acidosis and neuromuscular fatigue. Students will also read a review article and listen to a guided podcast assignment on the integrative biology of exercise from Dr. John Hawley, a leading exercise physiology researcher. Students will also independently take exam #1 in a proctored environment on material covered for this exam (Module 1 & 2).
Module 3: Renal Physiology, Fluid Regulation, & Hydration, Article Review #2, and Hydration Lab. Discuss and apply renal physiology, fluid regulation, and hydration including part I kidney filtration & reabsorption physiology, part II acid base regulation and plasma volume/blood pressure response, and part III maintenance of plasma volume and exercise hydration strategies. Students will search for, read, and critically evaluate peer-reviewed journal article pertaining to this module’s topics. Students will practice the concepts for this module through a hydration lab focused on real-world implementation of hydration strategies covered.
Module 4: Extreme environments, Thermoregulation, & Exercise, Exam #2, and Thermoregulation Lab. Discuss and apply extreme environments and thermoregulation while exercising, including part I exercise in the heat and part II exercise in the cold, altitude, underwater, and aviation physiology. Students independently take exam #1 in a proctored environment on material covered for this exam (Module 3 & 4). Students will practice the concepts for this module through a thermoregulation lab focused on real-world implementation of measuring mechanisms of heat transfer as well as strategies for exercising in hot or cold environments.
Module 5: Lifespan & Exercise and Article Review #3. Discuss and apply the outcomes of inactivity to lifespan and healthspan of humans from youth to aging including covering the basics of aging, chronic diseases, geroscience, and skeletal muscle aging. Including covering the impact of lifelong aerobic and resistance exercise on health outcomes. Students will search for, read, and critically evaluate peer-reviewed journal article pertaining to this module’s topics.
Module 6: Determinants and Enhancement of Aerobic Performance and Final Comprehensive Exam. Discuss and apply the determinants of and methods of training enhancement for aerobic performance, including part I substrate utilization at rest and with exercise, part II VO2max limiting factors, and part III training aerobic endurance performance. Students independently take final comprehensive exam in a proctored environment on material covered throughout this course.