Module Identifier RS30710  
Module Title EQUINE PERFORMANCE PHYSIOLOGY  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr John H Harries  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered N/A  
Next semester offered N/A  
Other staff Mrs Jean A McCarthy  
Pre-Requisite RS10410 , RD10910  
Course delivery Lecture   22 x 1 hour lectures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   3 x 3 hour seminar presentations by students  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Assessed seminar presentation Outcome assessed: 5  30%
Semester Exam2 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4  70%
Supplementary Exam2 Hours Supplementary examination, assessing all outcomes  100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Describe the microscopic anatomy and physiology of the nervous system.

2. Identify and describe microscopic anatomy of muscle and factors influencing muscle contraction.

3. Discuss the nervous system in terms of goal directed movement, control of posture and gait.

4. Discuss the regulation of bone remodelling with reference to injury and wastage in performance horses.

5. Examine methods currently employed for monitoring fitness and evaluate their efficacy in prediction of potential performance.

Brief description

This module will consist of 15 lectures and 3 seminars which will build upon level 1 and 2 exercise physiology modules. It will consider various aspects of applied equine performance physiology. Initially, neuromuscular control of movement will be investigated. This will be followed by consideration of both positive and detrimental effects of exercise and training on the structure and function of the equine athlete.

Aims

The module aims to:

Provide knowledge of the microscopic structure and physiology of nerve, muscle and bone and their function in relation to movement.

It will develop an understanding of aspects of the physiology of the horse, which may have positive or detrimental effects upon performance.

Transferable skills

.1 Independent project work
Seminar presentations will be researched in order to develop a greater understanding of outcome 5. This will be undertaken either on an individual basis or as part of a pair, (dependent on numbers).

.2 IT and information handling
The seminar will be presented in Powerpoint.

.4 Writing in an academic context
Skills related to academic writing will be developed and assessed through both the seminar which requires an element of literature review, and the examination.

.7 Self-management
Developed through research undertaken for the seminar.

Reading Lists

Books
Frandsen R D (1992) Anatomy and physiology of farm animals 5th. Lea and Febiger
Hodgson D R and Rose R J (1994) The athletic horse W B Saunders & Co
Jones W E (1989) Equine sports medicine Lea and Febiger

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6