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Course Overview

This unique course will enable students to:

• Develop knowledge of exercise physiology and evaluation of fitness.
• Learn to plan and provide an exercise programme to healthy clients and as therapy in certain clinical settings.
• Obtain professional recognition from REPs Ireland/ACSM.
• Pursue a career as an exercise specialist/therapist.

In this course, students will develop an advanced knowledge of exercise physiology including a full understanding of physiological processes and changes that occur during different types of exercise. Students will understand how these changes are beneficial to general health and fitness. Students will have a clear understanding of exercise testing and prescription in health and in certain chronic disease settings. Topics featured in the lecture series include nerve-muscle physiology, cardiorespiratory physiology, kinesiology, integrated physiological responses to exercise and methods of evaluation, metabolism and nutrition in exercise, scientific principles of exercise prescription, methods of physiological assessment during exercise in healthy and clinical populations. Students will gain hands on experience in conducting exercise tests and physiological assessment of fitness. Semester 1–2 will be taught through lectures. Blended learning: All modules (1–6) will also be available online via podcasts and will be delivered via the medium of blackboard collaborate ultra virtual classrooms. (This will ensure that international students need to travel to University of Galway only for four months Mid May-August. They can then be accommodated in the empty student houses in the Corrib Village at a reduced cost.) Online students will engage with pre-recorded lectures on blackboard weekly.

Career Opportunities

With the increasing number of people living with chronic illnesses the demand for exercise physiologists capable of giving personal exercise advice that can improve the living standards of an individual is growing. Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to work in areas such as:

• Health clubs and related organizations
• Public sports and recreation facilities
• Local public health authorities
• Schools, further education, and higher education institutions

The course is designed to fulfill all the requirements for the EHFA and REPs Ireland accreditation. Students will be assisted in their application for registration with REPS Ireland and American College of Sports Medicine.

Graduates will also be eligible to pursue research PhD programmes in Sport and Exercise Science and related areas in the Discipline of Physiology, University of Galway.