Module Identifier
RS30710
Module Title
EQUINE PERFORMANCE PHYSIOLOGY
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Deborah M Nash
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
RS10410
Pre-Requisite
RD10910
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 11 x 2 hour lectures
Seminars / Tutorials 3 x 3 hour seminar presentations by students
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Assessed seminar presentation  Outcome assessed: 5  30%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4  70%
Supplementary Exam 2 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 List


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

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6