Available in 2024
Course code

EXSS6060

Units

10 units

Level

6000 level

Course handbook

Description

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW, 2020), one in two men and women will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85; that equates to one new cancer diagnosis every four minutes. Further, one in five Australian adults aged 16-85 years experience at least one mental health condition per year (AIHW, 2021). Regular exercise is known to not only be an effective management strategy for cancer and mental health conditions, but also reduces the risk of developing these conditions in the first instance. This course will develop the clinical exercise physiology expertise of students in safely and effectively prescribing and delivering exercise for clients with cancer (breast, prostate, colorectal, other) and/or mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, psychoses/severe mental illness, PTSD). The pathophysiology, medical and clinical considerations (including management/treatment avenues and common co-morbid conditions/health behaviours), and the role that exercise may play in the various stages of these conditions (including enhancing physical function and quality of life and preventing/managing complications and disease progression/survivorship) will be explored. Students will also learn to modify exercise prescription and assessments to suit the delivery of interventions via telehealth.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Ourimbah

  • Semester 1 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Describe the aetiology, pathophysiology and pharmacological/medical management of cancer and/or mental health conditions, including the implications for exercise prescription;

2. Design, justify and deliver safe and effective assessments and exercise interventions for people with cancer and/or mental health conditions, in consideration of clinical and psychosocial factors;

3. Recognise and respond to adverse clinical signs and symptoms that typically present during and between exercise sessions in people with cancer and/or mental health conditions;

4. Implement effective behaviour change strategies to improve exercise adherence and self-management in cancer and/or mental health conditions;

5. Demonstrate appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication to suit different stakeholders and the method of service delivery (i.e., face-to-face versus telehealth);

6. Describe the role of accredited exercise physiologists in managing cancer and/or mental health conditions within a multi-disciplinary team.


Content

  1. Pathophysiology, and pharmacological/medical management of cancer and mental health conditions
  2. Supervised and client-managed exercise for cancer and mental health conditions, including considerations, contraindications, and current recommendations
  3. Communication with stakeholders including other health and exercise professionals and clients
  4. Telehealth assessments and exercise interventions

Assumed knowledge

EXSS6020 and PHAR6704


Assessment items

Online Learning Activity: Weekly Online Learning Activities

Written Assignment: Written Report and Case Study Interpretation

Practical Demonstration: Practical Exam
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.

Formal Examination: Formal Exam


Contact hours

Semester 1 - 2024 - Ourimbah

Laboratory-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
  • Compulsory Requirement: Students must attend 80% of sessions.
Lecture-1
  • Online 1 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
Self-Directed Learning-1
  • Online 6 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
Tutorial-1
  • Online 1 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
  • Compulsory Requirement: Students must attend 80% of sessions.

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.