XNB176 Physical Activity and Health


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2017

QUT code:XNB176
Credit points:12
Coordinator:Associate Professor Toby Pavey
Phone:3138 5837
Email:toby.pavey@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Rationale

As the prevalence of many chronic diseases is increasing in Australia, prevention of these diseases is a major health priority of Australian state and territory governments. This unit promotes understanding, measurement and promotion of physical activity for improved health outcomes, with a focus on individual, community and population level health determinants. Awareness of health status, factors influencing health and their impact is an essential foundation for future work of health professionals. This important prospective work will include enabling others to adopt or maintain health enhancing behaviours.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to understand and measure physical activity and health, critically evaluate the evidence on the relationships between physical activity and health and explore principles and policies for individual and community level physical activity promotion.

Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of this unit requires you to provide evidence of the ability to:

  1. Describe the prevalence of chronic disease in the Australian context including related risks of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour

  2. Identify and evaluate different methods for measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

  3. Critically analyse, reflect on and utilise physical activity health promotion theories and models of behaviour change to maintain and motivate a physically active lifestyle.

  4. Identify, analyse,evaluate and reflect on current Australian policies and initiatives addressing physical activity and chronic disease, at the individual and organisational level.

  5. Identify the historical and contemporary factors that impact on the physical activity, health and wellbeing of Indigenous people.


Content

This unit will be delivered across 3 modules of learning.

Module 1: Physical Activity Guidelines

  • Physical activity guidelines and the evidence to support these guidelines.

  • The use of subjective and objective measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, including 'new technologies'.


    • Module 2: Sedentary Behaviours and Chronic Disease

    • The role of sedentary behaviour and physical activity in the aetiology, prevention and management of lifestyle-related chronic illness.

    • The socio-ecological and cultural approach to health focussing on determinants of physical activity at individual, community, indigenous and population levels.


      • Module 3: Physical Activity Promotion

      • Identification of key sectors, agencies and stakeholders associated with physical activity promotion.

      • Effective interventions and strategy design for the promotion of physical activity at individual, community and population levels.

      • Identification and critical appraisal of emergent and evidence based programs promoting physical activity across the lifespan.


Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit adopts a blended learning approach which includes a 1.5 hour workshop where you will engage in collaborative activities and a 1.5 hour tutorial where you will apply the concepts learnt in class to assessment tasks. In this unit you will develop technical skills and behaviour change strategies by learning how to use and monitor technology associated with the measurement of physical activity. You will also practise inquiry and analytical skills through analysis of real world health promotion strategies.

Assessment

General assessment information

Each assessment item is designed to measure your knowledge and understanding stated in the learning outcomes. You will be required to use the research and evaluation skills to locate information that will inform the essay and professional plan.

Feedback to students

Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

  • You will be provided with verbal and/or written feedback on each piece of formative and summative assessment during the semester

  • criteria sheet grading

  • comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets

  • generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Blackboard


You are encouraged to communicate with the unit coordinator or unit tutor if you have any questions or concerns about the assessment items.

Assessment Submission and Extensions

Assessment items submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked and will receive a grade of 1 or 0%. If special circumstances prevent you from meeting the assessment due date, you can apply for an extension. If you don't have an approved extension you should submit the work you have done by the due date and it will be marked against the assessment criteria. QUT's assessment submission requirements reflect the expectations of professional practice where you will need to meet deadlines.

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: Assessment name: Measurement of Physical Activity Levels

Description:You are to use an app or piece of technology to measure physical activity levels in a client and provide an analytical account of the outcome measures. You will compare the measures to the physical activity guidelines, identifying barriers, facilitators and suggest strategies to increase physical activity levels.
Relates to objectives: 2
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 3

Assessment name: Workbook
Description: Assessment name: Physical Activity and Health Workbook

Description:You will be evaluated on your progressive understanding, reflection and interpretation of the knowledge presented in the learning modules. This will include the exploration of the relationship between physical activity and chronic disease, measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviour and identifiying at risk populations for physical inactivity.
Relates to objectives: 1,2 and 5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 7 to 8

Assessment name: Program evaluation
Description: You are to identify and critically evaluate a previous or current physical activity health promotion program at either the individual, community or organisational level. You will evaluate the program within a framework and criteria provided.
Relates to objectives: 2, 3, 4 and 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Last semester

Academic Integrity

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Nutbeam, D., Harris, E. & Wise, M. (2010). Theory in a nutshell: a guide to health promotion theory. (3rd ed.). Sydney: McGraw-Hill.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Last modified: 06-Sep-2016