Therapeutic Exercise Prescription

Curriculum Guideline

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Course
SPSC 4276
Discontinued
No
Course Code
SPSC 4276
Descriptive
Therapeutic Exercise Prescription
Department
Sport Science
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 Weeks
Max Class Size
35
Course Designation
None
Industry Designation
None
Contact Hours

Lecture: 3 hours/week

and

Lab: 1 hour/week

Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning Activities
  • Lecture
  • Labs
  • Discussion groups
  • Practical application exercise programing
  • Case studies
  • Problem-based learning scenarios
  • Reflection/journaling
  • Study critiques
  • Online learning experiences
  • Guest speakers
  • Experiential learning
Course Description
This course examines the role of therapeutic exercise in the management, treatment, and prevention of disease. Topics include the pathophysiology of conditions commonly encountered by kinesiologists and exercise physiologists, evidence-based and client-centered biopsychosocial approaches to interventions, common non-exercise-based supporting therapeutic modalities, knowledge of when to refer to other practitioners, and practical aspects of providing safe and effective exercise protocols across the lifespan.
Course Content
  • Psychological stress and chronic disease
    • Psychological stress and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis
      • Psychology of personality and health
      • Social psychology and health
      • Stress and chronic disease via hypothalamic-pituitary axis
    • Mental health and exercise prescription for:
      • Depression
      • Anxiety
    • Other interventions, contraindications, and efficacy:
      • Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, & other psychological interventions
  • Orthopedic conditions
    • Muscular pathophysiology of, and exercise prescription for:
      • Chronic low-back pain
      • Texter’s neck/shoulders
      • Adhesive capsulitis
    • Skeletal and Joint pathophysiology of, and exercise prescription for:
      • Osteoporosis
      • Osteoarthritis
      • Rheumatoid arthritis
    • Musculoskeletal pathophysiology of, and exercise prescription for:
      • Post-surgery protocols
    • Other interventions, contraindications, and efficacy:
      • Supporting healthcare profession’s scope in multidisciplinary healthcare for musculoskeletal conditions (physiotherapy, massage therapy, medical doctors, chiropractic, osteopathy, etc.)
  • Cardiorespiratory conditions
    • Respiratory pathophysiology of, and exercise prescription for:
      • COPD
      • Asthma
    • Heart pathophysiology of, and exercise prescription for:
      • Congenital heart conditions
      • Hypertension
      • Congestive heart failure
      • Myocardial Infarction
    • Vascular pathophysiology of, and exercise prescription for:
      • Peripheral artery disease
    • Other interventions, contraindications, and efficacy:
      • Surgical
      • Medication
  • Neurological conditions
    • Central nervous system pathophysiology of, and exercise prescription for:
      • Stroke
      • Cerebral palsy
      • Parkinson’s disease
      • Concussion
      • Acquired brain injuries
    • Other interventions, contraindications, and efficacy:
      • Occupational therapy
      • Physiatry
      • Medication
      • Surgery
  • Endocrine, neoplasms, and multi-factorial disease:
    • Pathophysiology of, and exercise prescription for:
      • Diabetes
      • Hyper/hypothyroidism
      • Cancer
      • Obesity, and metabolic syndrome
  • Lived experience considerations for client-centered care for exercise prescription, and client advocacy in ethical clinical decision making:
    • Age (e.g., pediatric and older adult clients)
    • Race, ethnicity, and colonization (e.g., Black, Indigenous, and immigrant clients)
    • Gender, sexuality, and sexual health (e.g., LGBTQ2I+)
    • Socioeconomic status, and insurance health coverage
    • Disability (e.g., Alzheimer’s)
    • Family and social support network
Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. explain the pathophysiology of chronic and acquired disease states commonly encountered by kinesiologists and exercise physiologists;
  2. identify contraindications to exercise;
  3. evaluate the potential effectiveness of exercise protocols in the management of common disease states;
  4. prescribe evidence-based and client-centered exercise programming for individuals living with chronic illness and disease states;
  5. make ethical decisions in the role of a healthcare professional operating within their defined scope of practice;
  6. demonstrate a safe approach to conducting an exercise session for individuals living with a disease state.
Means of Assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

 

Case studies: 0-30%

Research study critique: 0-15%

Presentations: 0-15%

Labs: 15-40%

Psychological intervention/Cognitive-Behavioural Theory journal assignment: 5-15%

Practical/oral exam: 0-40%

Tests and Quizzes: 0-40%

Final exam: 10-40%

 

Total: 100%

Textbook Materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

Ehrman J.K., Gordon, P.M., Visich, P.S, & Keteyian, S.J. (Current Edition). Clinical Exercise Physiology. Human Kinetics. 

Moore, G., Durstine, L., & Painter, P. (Current Edition). ACSM’s Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities. Human Kinetics.

Gibson, A., Wagner, D., & Heyward, V. (Current Edition). Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription. Human Kinetics. 

Prerequisites

SPSC 3276