Exercise Metabolism

School of Sport & Exercise Sciences

College of Life and Environmental Sciences

Details

Code 19172

Level of study Second Year

Credit value 20

Semester 1 & 2

Pre-requisite modules Biochemistry and cell physiology 23607

Module description

This module builds on the first year module Biochemistry and Cell Physiology and provides the basis for the biochemistry orientated modules in the third year: Sports Nutrition, Oxidative Stress in Health and Disease and Mechanisms of Adaptations to Training. In this module the students will examine the mechanisms that activate fuel mobilisation, transport and oxidation and how these pathways are activated during exercise. The module will also focus on methods to study metabolism from whole body to the molecular level. Then with the basic knowledge of metabolic pathways and the available methods the final part of the autumn term will explore the metabolic interactions of different organs. The regulation and mechanisms for the response to exercise and adaptations to exercise training will be examined. The module will evaluate the exercise signals and molecular signalling routes by which strength training leads to muscle hypertrophy and endurance training to mitochondrial biogenesis. The module will also explore the health benefits of regular activity and the underlying mechanisms. The final part of the module will introduce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, as well as components of the immune system and how they are affected by exercise. At the end of the module the students should be able to present an integrative overview of the mechanisms by which metabolism is regulated during exercise and the molecular adaptation in the muscle as well as whole body metabolism in response to chronic exercise.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, seminars and problem based sessions