This course aims to provide the student with an in depth critical knowledge and understanding of the relationship between physical activity, fitness and health; the biological mechanisms underpinning the beneficial effects of physical activity on health; and how the quality and quantity of physical activity influences health benefits.

This course takes place in semester 2.

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Critical review essay including a lay summary of key points 50% (2000 words approx)

Outline grant application 50% (2000 words approx)

To provide the student with an in depth critical knowledge and understanding of the relationship between physical activity, fitness and health; the biological mechanisms underpinning the beneficial effects of physical activity on health; how the quality and quantity of physical activity influences health benefits.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically discuss and evaluate the epidemiology demonstrating the relationship between physical activity and health outcomes

■ Critically discuss and evaluate the effects of physical activity on lipid metabolism, insulin resistance and other aspects of vascular and metabolic risk

■ Critically discuss and evaluate how physical activity and dietary factors influence adiposity and the health risks associated with overweight and obesity

■ Critically discuss and evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of physical activity and wider lifestyle interventions on health outcomes

■ Critically discuss and evaluate the strengths and limitations of both individual studies and the body of research evidence in the current physical activity for health literature

■ Critically discuss and evaluate areas of uncertainty and gaps of knowledge in the current physical activity for health literature and design future research studies to address these issues