XNB179 Development, Aging and Exercise
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | XNB179 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | XNB177 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $5,364 |
| International unit fee | $6,840 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | XNB179 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | XNB177 |
| Coordinator: | Craig McNulty | c.mcnulty@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This introductory unit which focuses on the impact of development and aging on exercise and sport participation across the lifespan, beginning with childhood and continuing with each major life stage through to old age. You will explore the factors influencing growth, development of fundamental motor development, influence of growth and development on exercise participation, the contribution of exercise to health, bone health, body composition and the importance of exercise for healthy aging across diverse populations. The unit also incorporates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on movement, health, and well-being, recognising traditional knowledge and cultural influences on physical activity across the lifespan.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the developmental changes across the lifespan and apply knowledge of the effect of growth and development influence exercise and exercise performance.
- Analyse and evaluate the exercise recommendations and guidelines across the lifespan,considering evidence-based principles, cultural influences, and inclusive practices on skill or talent development and physiological or mental capacity.
- Recognise and evaluate the injuries or conditions that commonly present during certain stages of growth and development;
- Apply skills in written communication, teamwork, collaboration and oral presentation
Content
This unit will be delivered across 4 modules of learning.
Module 1: Pre-natal and post-natal growth and physique
- Birth defects that impact on physical and motor development;
- Developmental patterns in early childhood; chronological age vs. biological age;
- Early physical and motor skill development;
- Early participation & athlete development;
- Assessing the capacity of children;
- Exercise programming considerations for children;
Module 2: Post-natal Functional and motor development
- Adolescence, maturation and gender;
- Talent development, Indigenous talent development;
- Sporting injuries and the growing athlete;
- Obesity and insulin resistance in children and adolescents;
Module 3: Adults and the Elderly
- Exercise and pregnancy
- Structural constraints to exercise associated with ageing;
- Exercise and the elderly;
- Masters sports;
- Exercise programs in nursing homes;
- Seniors fitness and assessment of functional capacities
Learning Approaches
The unit adopts a blended learning approach, combining interactive face to face workshops and digitally enabled learning experiences. Workshops will provide opportunities for hands-on learning activities, application to assessment tasks and engagement with collaborative application activities such as case studies. Teamwork and collaborative skills, analytical skills and presentation skills will also be practiced in workshops leading up to the presentation assessment task. The unit coordinator is available for consultation throughout the semester in on-campus and online contexts.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
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.
You are encouraged to communicate with the unit coordinator if you have any questions or concerns about the assessment items.
Assessment
Overview
General assessment information
Each assessment item is designed to measure your knowledge and mastery of professional skills stated in the learning outcomes.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Developmentally Appropriate Physical Activity Planning for Children and Adolescents
You will select an individual case study from a range of exercise objectives for children or adolescents and design an exercise activity or program that aligns with relevant national guidelines and best practices. Recommendations must demonstrate evidence-based reasoning and justification of exercise selection, consider developmental differences (e.g., skill level, physical/motor abilities), cultural influences (Indigenous perspectives, equity in access to physical activity etc.) and incorporate inclusive modifications where necessary. You will work on the case study within groups in workshops and use discussions and guidance to complete an individual H5P document tool in Canvas that will form the basis of an individual submission.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Exercise in the Management of Developmental and Ageing-Related Conditions
As an exercise professional, you will present as a group on a specific growth, development or ageing related condition or injury in order to provide information about the role of exercise in management of the condition or injury and any potential evidence based precautions or recommendations for exercise that might be important for a stakeholder (e.g. parent, client, work colleague). The injury/condition and relevant stakeholder will be decided by the group.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is NOT authorised during this assessment. Unauthorised use may be treated as a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and appropriate penalties imposed.
Assessment: Final Examination
A centrally invigilated examination paper. It will comprise of a selection of multiple choice and short answer questions. Topics for assessment will cover learning and content from the whole unit, including digital learning content and face to face workshops.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is NOT authorised during this assessment. Unauthorised use may be treated as a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and appropriate penalties imposed.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Haywood, K.M., & Getchell, N. (2008.). Life Span Motor Development.
Malina, R.M., Bouchard, C., Bar-Or. (2004). Growth, Maturation and Physical Activity (2nd ed.).
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit