XNB361 Musculoskeletal, Neurological and Occupational Disorders
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: | XNB361 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | XNH366 |
| Equivalent(s): | XNB381 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $4,848 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | XNB361 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | XNH366 |
| Equivalent: | XNB381 |
| Coordinator: | Justin Holland | justin.holland@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit develops key clinical knowledge required for exercise physiology practice. This unit specifically focuses on musculoskeletal, neurological, and occupational disorders, including their epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures, and treatments. By identifying the underlying mechanisms that affect movement capacity, you will learn how and why these disorders respond to movement, exercise, and physical activity. You will be required to describe the aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures and treatments and medications associated with musculoskeletal, neurological, and occupational disorders.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures and treatments, medications, at a level that allows students to work with other health professionals in the assessment and provision of exercise and activity suitable for people with neurological, workplace injuries and musculoskeletal conditions.
- Analyse client information and make informed judgments to appropriately risk stratify an individual for exercise and physical activity.
- Develop a management plan to assist clients with management of their chronic disorder.
- Exhibit comprehension of the proper and safe application of practical assessment methods for functionally evaluating individuals with disorders.
- Demonstrate professionalism, communication skills and appropriate use of clinical terminology relevant to the disorder.
Content
You will be required to describe the aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures and treatments and medications across the following learning modules and disorders:
Module 1 Musculoskeletal Disorders: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, acute, sub-acute and chronic specific and non- specific musculoskeletal pain, injuries, and disabilities
Module 2 Occupational Health and Rehabilitation:
- You must be able to safely and effectively assess functional capacity to perform work task(s).
- This will include a work task analysis/ergonomic assessment, Interpretation and reporting of psychosocial screening outcomes and Interpretation and recognition of functional outcomes in the design of appropriate rehabilitation plans and reports
Module 3 Neurological Disorders:
- Stroke (CVA), Spinal Cord Injury, Parkinson's Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Dementia, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Learning Approaches
This unit adopts a blended approach to learning. The unit will make extensive use of web-based resources including video recordings and assessment procedures commonly used with each specific disorder. Where possible, learning activities will include invited speakers, other health professionals and patients, to provide their perspectives on the implications of the disorders for movement, exercise and activity. Practicals will focus on case scenarios that allow you to deepen you understanding of each condition, and gain an awareness of disease management and develop professional communication skills.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on your performance in assessment tasks will be provided through verbal feedback in class and written feedback on an individual basis or group basis as required for each assessment.
Assessment
Overview
This unit will be delivered across a 13 week semester. Assessment items are designed to measure your knowledge and mastery of professional skills stated in the learning outcomes.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Clinical Case Study
You will be required to apply your knowledge of a workplace assessment to the development of an initial exercise management plan for an individual with a musculoskeletal or neurological disorder. This includes analysing workplace demands, identifying barriers and facilitators to return to work, and applying evidence-based strategies to support work readiness and functional recovery. You are also required to define the specific condition and associated pathophysiology, causes, and treatment approaches; identify common comorbidities; review relevant medications and their implications for exercise; and complete a risk stratification process to design a safe and effective management plan grounded in current scientific evidence.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Oral Exam (Viva voce)
You will verbally express your understanding of aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures, and treatment as relevant to musculoskeletal, occupational and neurological disorders. This task simulates the requirement of a practitioner in communication with clients, allied health and medical colleagues.
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)
American College of Sports Medicine. (2026). ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription (12th ed.). Baltimore: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Coombes, J., & Skinner, T. (2022). ESSA's student manual for health, exercise and sport assessment (2nd ed.). Elsevier
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.