PEP-326 : Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology

Mon, Wed, Fri; 11-11:50, B100

Dr. Robergs' Office, JC B143 (EPL): 277-1196; rrobergs@unm.edu

Office Hours: "Open door" with unrestricted access policy Mon - Fri.

Also scheduled hours for Mon, Wed, Fri: 9-11 am; Tues, Thurs 12 noon - 2 pm 

Purpose

To learn about muscle energy systems that support muscle contractions, and evaluate how the body regulates acute and chronic adaptations to exercise of differing intensities and durations.

Rationale

The field of sports and exercise sciences is expanding in academic content at an alarming rate.  This is the first class of several that students of nutrition, health, physical education, exercise and sports sciences are required to take to learn about how exercise affects the human body.  It is important that this class be thorough in content, yet remain motivational to you in this early phase of your educational journey towards your major.  To these ends, I will not push too much material on you in this class.  I have a very clear and constrained set of objectives (see below) that I want to meet, and I would rather you become an expert on several issues, rather than mediocre in understanding a wealth of material.

Objectives

1. the history of the field of exercise and sports sciences.
2. the central nervous system functions that lead to muscle contraction.
3. the anatomical and functional aspects of skeletal muscle contraction.
4. the bioenergetics laws that govern metabolism and all energy transfer.
5. why enzymes are important.
6. how hormones influence energy metabolism.
7. the three energy systems of skeletal muscle.
8. the phosphagen energy system.
9. the glycolytic energy system.
10. mitochondrial respiration.
11. lactate production.
12. metabolic acidosis.
13. anabolism.
14. ergometry.
15. calorimetry.
16. cardiovascular responses to exercise
17. pulmonary responses to exercise

Alliance With Program, Division and College Missions

There is an increasing need to justify how academic courses "fit" within the theoretical framework of the college they are located within.  Explanations of the College of Education Mission and Conceptual Framework are found within the College section of the UNM website.

This course provides pertinent knowledge that extends the academic training in exercise physiology of the graduate students of UNM.  While primarily serving the needs of Exercise Science students, other students from teacher-training programs within the College of Education would also find this course interesting with respect to the environmental challenges faced by students from Elementary to High school years.  Students from the School of Medicine, Nursing, and Biology could also justify the inclusion of this course into their program of studies.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic Dishonesty is defined from the UNM Student Code of Conduct as follows:
   "...dishonesty in quizzes, tests or assignments; claiming credit for work not done or done by others; hindering the academic work of other students; misrepresenting academic or professional qualifications within or without the University;  and nondisclosure or misrepresentation in filling out applications or other University records."

The Exercise Science faculty support the importance of academic integrity.  A student violating academic dishonesty guidelines will receive an "F" for the course.  A second violation will result in the student being withdrawn from the Exercise Science program.

Format

This course is taught by lecture using computerized PowerPoint slide projection, and direct use of the electronic textbook.  Lecture/slide notes are found linked to this course site of my website, organized by the topics listed on the course calendar.  Each class session is 50 min in duration, and consists of 5 min of prior class questions and answer content, a 30 min lecture, and 15 min budgeted for questions/discussion during the lecture.

Textbook and Other Required Items

We use the new electronic edition of my undergraduate exercise physiology text:

Robergs RA. Exercise Physiology: An Electronic Text and Learning Experience.  NEXSIS.org, Albuquerque, 2008.

The book costs $35, and is offered as a huge discount due to the trial version of the text in preparation for a more complete version that will be released and marketed for the Fall 2008 semester.  Purchase the text via NEXSIS.org at the following URL (www.NEXSIS.org) immediately, and I will be informed by NEXSIS.org who has purchased the text and will be able to bring the CDs to class and distribute them to each purchaser.

Another great book to read is of the history of the 4-min mile.  Details of the book can be found on my Sports Physiology class site, linked to the following book title: - The Perfect Mile. 

You should also do the following:

Assessment

Student assessment is based on the scores from,

The point and percentage contribution of each assessment item is summarized in the table below.

Your final grade will simply be based on your percentage score of the 500 total assessment points.  I will only grade on a curve, or do a simple adjustment, if student performance on test and quiz items is poor.  You are responsible for learning the material I cover in class, and this content represents the standards required for becoming competent in knowing and understanding exercise physiology.

The grade letter and points distribution is provided in the table below.

Note that according to Department of Physical Performance and Development policy, a grade of C^- or worse is a failing grade.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty, which includes plagiarism, will not be tolerated.  The College of Education, as with the entire university, has policies on how to handle such infractions.  All faculty are required to abide by these rules and punishments, and students should read about such issues at the following sites:

Exams

The format of each exam is a combination of multiple choice, True/False, matching, figure interpretation, and one line short answer questions. Some questions will require calculations.  Each exam will require a full class session, and consist of approximately 20 multiple choice, 10 True/False, 10 matching, 3 figure interpretation, and 10 one line short answer questions.

Quizzes

The format of each quiz will be exactly the same as the exams, only much shorter, requiring approximately 15 - 20 min to complete.

Practice Quizzes and Exams

During the initial weeks of the semesterI will develop a web page devoted to providing links to Practice Questions and Answers.

Laboratory assingments

See the web page for Laboratory Assignments.