Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

This unit aims to help students understand why more than one type of fuel is needed to support energy demands during exercise; how different energy systems are used during different types of exercise (e.g. marathon, sprint, resistance exercise); how muscles control the rate at which they burn their fuels during exercise; how at the cellular level, strength training increases muscle size, and how to optimise muscle growth; how the skeletal muscles and body adapt to endurance training; why some dietary regimes are better than others for optimal exercise performance; how muscles replenish their fuel stores after exercise even without food intake; how starvation and aging cause muscle atrophy and a fall in exercise performance; how fat stores communicate with the brain to control appetite and energy balance, and how imbalanced diets and low physical activity levels interfere with this communication to cause obesity; and why losing fat is so difficult to achieve for most overweight/obese people. Finally, this unit helps develop a critical attitude toward not only popular beliefs in general, but also the scientific literature.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 2UWA (Perth)Face to face
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) explain why humans and other animal species rely on more than one type of fuel to support their energy demands during exercise; (2) explain how different energy stores are used during different types of physical activity (e.g. marathon, sprint, resistance exercise); (3) explain how skeletal muscles match their fuel use to their energy demands; (4) explain at the cellular level how strength training increases muscle size and how to optimise muscle growth; (5) understand how skeletal muscles and body adapt to endurance training; (6) explain why some dietary regimes are better than other for optimal exercise performance; (7) describe how skeletal muscles replenish their fuel stores after exercise even without food intake; (8) explain how starvation and aging cause muscle atrophy and a fall in exercise performance; (9) explain how fat stores communicate with the brain to control appetite and energy balance and how imbalanced diets and low physical activity level interfere with this communication to cause obesity; (10) learn at the molecular level why losing fat is so difficult to achieve for most people; and (11) develop a critical attitude toward not only popular beliefs in general but also the scientific literature.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) end-of-semester examination; (2) mid-semester examination; and (3) assignments (small revision assignments and a major end-of-semester assignment). Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Professor Paul Fournier
Contact hours
lectures: 3 hours per week
tutorials: 1 hour per week
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.