XNB363 Sports Physiology
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: | XNB363 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | XNB273 or XNB263 |
| Equivalent(s): | XNB383 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| 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: | XNB363 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | XNB273 or XNB263 |
| Equivalent: | XNB383 |
Overview
This unit will build upon the knowledge and skills you have gained from studying XNB263 Exercise Physiology. You will integrate and apply this exercise physiology knowledge to sports physiology, including performance in differing environmental stressors (e.g., temperature and altitude); the role of recovery, sleep and travel on performance; and ergogenic aids. In addition, you will develop your ability to discuss, interpret, and critically analyse topical issues in sports physiology and present testing reports to athletes and coaches. By successfully completing this unit, you will be able to demonstrate a range of important skills, including critical thinking, organisation, planning, experimental design, time-management, problem-solving, oral presentation, and professional communication skills. This unit has a strong practical focus, and you will investigate physiological problems independently and as a team member.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Interpret exercise physiology in the design and justification of a laboratory experiment
- Demonstrate effective collaborative skills in the collection of laboratory data to enable communication of analysed results to coaches, athletes, and relevant stakeholders
- Utilising contemporary techniques in the collection and analysis of laboratory data to produce reports for sports scientists
- Apply knowledge and higher order thinking skills to current integrative, ergogenic and environmental exercise physiology topics
Content
This unit covers the following exercise-specific sub-topics:
- Physiological demands of sport
- Environmental stressors and athletic performance
- Ergogenic aids and athletic performance
Learning Approaches
The unit adopts a blended learning approach, combining interactive face to face practicals and digitally enabled learning experiences. Practicals will provide opportunities for hands-on learning activities, application to assessment tasks and engagement with collaborative application activities such as group experiments. Teamwork and collaborative skills, analytical skills and presentation skills will also be taught in the practicals leading up to the presentation and sports science report assessment tasks.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
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 Canvas
You are encouraged to communicate with the unit coordinator or unit tutor if you have any questions or concerns about the assessment items.
Assessment
Overview
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: Evidence-Based Insights for Sporting Performance
This assessment will require you to complete a presentation of data collected, and analysed in the context of sporting performance. The presentation will be targeted to a semi-lay audience, i.e. athlete and/or coach.
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: Sports Science Report
This assessment will require you to complete a report that details an experimental design, methodology and results collected and analysed in the context of the scientific evidence reviewed. The report will include a precis in lay language that would be understandable by an athlete and/or coach.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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.
Assessment: Examination (written)
Centrally administered examination including a combination of short answer and extended response questions derived from lectures, and readings.
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
Prescribed text(s)
McArdle,W.D., Katch, V.L.& Katch, F. I. (2015). Exercise Physiology: Nutrition, energy and human performance (8th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Risk Assessment Statement
This unit will involve laboratory-based sessions. Students will complete a laboratory induction session during which safety precautions to be observed while working in the laboratory will be outlined. Students will be required to read the laboratory safety manual and sign the form indicating that they have read and understood the material contained in the manual. Hard copies of the manual are displayed within the exercise physiology laboratory.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.XN50 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science
- Apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
Relates to: Evidence-Based Insights for Sporting Performance, Sports Science Report
XN55 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Honours)
- Design and deliver advanced exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of contemporary sport, exercise and health contexts.
Relates to: Evidence-Based Insights for Sporting Performance - Critically apply problem-solving, innovative thinking, and analytical reasoning to develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
Relates to: Evidence-Based Insights for Sporting Performance, Sports Science Report, Examination (written) - Communicate and collaborate effectively using a range of written, oral and digital formats to transfer complex knowledge to clients and sport and exercise professionals in an inclusive and culturally responsive manner.
Relates to: Evidence-Based Insights for Sporting Performance, Sports Science Report - Design and execute research in sport and exercise science contexts and disseminate findings that contribute to the sustainability of sport and exercise research and practice.
Relates to: Evidence-Based Insights for Sporting Performance, Sports Science Report