Exercise and Diet; Mechanisms of action in exercise performance, promotion of health and longevity

Programmes

Level

Year three

This module will examine the mechanisms of action of different modes and intensities of exercise, and different diet strategies in improving exercise performance and adaptation to exercise, increasing expression of proteins associated with longevity, and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic disease.

By the end of the module students should be able to:

  • Discuss the exercise paradox and provide clear definitions for oxidative stress, antioxidant, radical
  • Discuss the free radical theory of ageing, including in the discussion the concepts of mitochondrial ageing, average lifespan and maximal lifespan.
  • Discuss the effect of exercise (in the contexts of intensity and duration) on redox homeostasis and cellular health
  • Discuss the way in which radicals are involved in exercise adaptation
  • Discuss the mechanisms by which exercise and diet may be used to perturb disease pathology

Delivery

Lectures, seminars

Assessment

1 x study design (10%); 1 x essay seen questions (30%) and examination (60%).