Course

Advanced Exercise Physiology

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Sport Science
Course code
SPSC 3275
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Fall
Winter

Overview

Course description
This course examines how metabolic, neuromuscular, and cardiorespiratory physiology responds and adapts to exercise stress. The course provides theoretical and practical laboratory-based learning experiences. Students develop a robust understanding of how metabolic, neuromuscular, and cardiorespiratory physiology operate independently, and in an integrative manner, during exercise.
Course content
  • Metabolic physiology
    • Aerobic metabolism
    • Anaerobic metabolism
    • Metabolic adaptations to exercise training
  • Neuromuscular physiology
    • Skeletal muscle and the neuromuscular junction
    • Muscle action
    • Neuromuscular adaptations to exercise training
  • Cardiorespiratory physiology
    • The cardiorespiratory system
    • Acute cardiorespiratory responses to exercise stress
    • Exercise at altitude and in pollution
    • Cardiorespiratory adaptations to exercise training
  • Thermoregulation
    • Autonomic thermoregulation
    • Behavioural thermoregulation
    • Heat conservation in cold stress
    • Heat loss in heat stress
Learning activities

Class time will be used for lecture, case studies, and problem-based learning. The lab component of the course will be used for applied learning activities, which may include assessments of substrate utilization, force production, and indirect calorimetry. During labs, students will use equipment common to exercise physiology laboratories, which may include a metabolic cart, lactate metres, and electromyography sensors. 

Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the term. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Laboratory reports (minimum of 2)        10-45%
Laboratory exam(s) 10-30%
Research project 0-30%
Quizzes 0-30%
Test(s) 10-45%
Final exam 

10-30%
Total

100%

 

 

 

 

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

  • utilize advanced terminology of metabolic, neuromuscular, and cardiorespiratory physiology as it relates to exercise;
  • summarize how metabolic, neuromuscular, and cardiorespiratory physiology responds acutely to exercise stress;
  • explain how metabolic, neuromuscular, and cardiorespiratory physiology adapts to exercise stress;
  • explain the interrelationships of metabolic, neuromuscular, and cardiorespiratory physiology during exercise;
  • apply concepts of autonomic and behavioural adjustment to describe the regulation of core body temperature during thermal stress;
  • conduct assessments of metabolic, neuromuscular, and cardiorespiratory physiology in a laboratory context;
  • analyze data collected during laboratory assessments;
  • compose comprehensive laboratory reports.
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may
include:

McArdle, W., Katch, F. & Katch, V. (Current Edition). Exercise Physiology: Nutrition, Energy and Human Performance. Wolters Kluwer.

Requisites

Prerequisites

60 credits, including SPSC 2275

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for SPSC 3275
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO KIN 210 (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) No credit
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU PHED 2150 (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU HKIN 470 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV KIN_V 375 (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV KPE 3XX (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC EPHE 2XX (1.5)

Course Offerings

Winter 2026

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
30
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N2217
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N2221
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N2223
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
Section notes

SPSC 3275 001 - Registration is restricted to Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching students until December 1st, 2025. Registration in this course provides registrants with a 'time conflict' error. This error can be disregarded for this course as it is due to a required room booking overlap.