2025
Physiological Basis of Physical Activity
Name: Physiological Basis of Physical Activity
Code: DES15020L
3 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours
Scientific Area:
Human Kinetics
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English, Spanish
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Develop theoretical and practical knowledge of the human body, considering the different organ systems, their constituents, their functions and their physiological behaviour.
To develop the ability to interpret the physiological phenomena of the organic systems of the human body, in isolation or in interaction with each other, at rest and in movement.
To promote skills in handling and analysing methodologies and instruments for assessing physiological parameters and behaviour with practical applicability in research and work.
Encourage research into the subjects and contents of the discipline, using a variety of bibliographies and multimedia, in particular websites and scientifically recognised sources of knowledge.
To develop the ability to interpret the physiological phenomena of the organic systems of the human body, in isolation or in interaction with each other, at rest and in movement.
To promote skills in handling and analysing methodologies and instruments for assessing physiological parameters and behaviour with practical applicability in research and work.
Encourage research into the subjects and contents of the discipline, using a variety of bibliographies and multimedia, in particular websites and scientifically recognised sources of knowledge.
Contents
1. Introduction: General and Cellular Physiology
a. Water, electrolytes and acid-base balance
2. Urinary system
a. Constituents, functions and physiological mechanisms
3. Urinary system
4. Respiratory system
a. Constituents, functions and physiological mechanisms
b. Respiration
5. Cardiovascular system
a. Constituents, functions and physiological mechanisms
b. Circulation
c. Electrical activity and cardiac contraction
6. Digestive system
a. Constituents, functions and physiological mechanisms
b. Digestive system, nutrition
7. Metabolism
a. Metabolism of nutrients, energy
8. Musculoskeletal system
a. Nerve and muscle
i. Membrane potential and action potential
ii. Neuromuscular transmission
iii. Muscle contraction
b. Bone
i. Bone formation, destruction and growth
9. Hormonal system
a. Constituents, functions and physiological mechanisms
10. Relationship between all systems and physical activity.
a. Water, electrolytes and acid-base balance
2. Urinary system
a. Constituents, functions and physiological mechanisms
3. Urinary system
4. Respiratory system
a. Constituents, functions and physiological mechanisms
b. Respiration
5. Cardiovascular system
a. Constituents, functions and physiological mechanisms
b. Circulation
c. Electrical activity and cardiac contraction
6. Digestive system
a. Constituents, functions and physiological mechanisms
b. Digestive system, nutrition
7. Metabolism
a. Metabolism of nutrients, energy
8. Musculoskeletal system
a. Nerve and muscle
i. Membrane potential and action potential
ii. Neuromuscular transmission
iii. Muscle contraction
b. Bone
i. Bone formation, destruction and growth
9. Hormonal system
a. Constituents, functions and physiological mechanisms
10. Relationship between all systems and physical activity.
Teaching Methods
Theoretical classes:
Visual resources (presentations, videos, infographics) will be used to explain complex physiological concepts. Group discussions, debates and case studies will be used to explore practical applications of theoretical concepts.
Theoretical-Practical Classes:
Practical experiments will be carried out to demonstrate physiological concepts, such as measuring heart rate, lung capacity or analyzing metabolic responses to exercise. Research projects will also be proposed where students address a specific topic related to the physiology of physical activity.
Visual resources (presentations, videos, infographics) will be used to explain complex physiological concepts. Group discussions, debates and case studies will be used to explore practical applications of theoretical concepts.
Theoretical-Practical Classes:
Practical experiments will be carried out to demonstrate physiological concepts, such as measuring heart rate, lung capacity or analyzing metabolic responses to exercise. Research projects will also be proposed where students address a specific topic related to the physiology of physical activity.
Assessment
The Theoretical-Practical Classification takes into account the carrying out of theoretical-practical work, to be carried out mainly in the context of practical classes or worksheets. This classification contributes a total of 20% to the final grade.
The continuous theoretical classification takes into account the completion of two written tests (40% and 40%). The theoretical classification contributes a total of 80% to the final grade.
The classification of the continuous evaluation process will be found using the following formula:
Final Classification Curricular Unit = (Theoretical-Practical Classification x 0.20) + (Theoretical Classification x 0.80)
The continuous theoretical classification takes into account the completion of two written tests (40% and 40%). The theoretical classification contributes a total of 80% to the final grade.
The classification of the continuous evaluation process will be found using the following formula:
Final Classification Curricular Unit = (Theoretical-Practical Classification x 0.20) + (Theoretical Classification x 0.80)
Teaching Staff
- José Alberto Frade Martins Parraça [responsible]
- Rui Jorge Cegonho Raimundo
Certificações
