SI521 – Performance in Environmental Extremes (2nd year undergraduate)

This level 5 module is designed to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of how the environment can influence human physiology. As such, in this module it is expected that students know and understand the fundamental physiology of all topics as they relate to the environment and be able to apply the physiology to sport and exercise situations with detail and precision.

Topics covered include:

Theory – physiological and behavioural thermoregulation, sports performance in the cold, cold related injuries, sports performance in the heat, acute heat alleviation methods (i.e. cooling and hydration strategies), chronic heat alleviation methods (i.e. heat acclimation), heat-related injuries, the travelling athlete (circadian rhythms, jet lag, sleep loss & air pollution), diving physiology, physiology and performance at altitude, altitude sickness, altitude training.

Practical – 5 basic laboratory skill labs, four of one week each and one over two weeks, all conducted in groups over the allocated laboratory period and there to familiarise students with the equipment and techniques, dive reflex laboratory, self-designed experiment – 6 weeks conducted in groups over 2 hour laboratory periods and during non-contact directed study time.

 

SI627 – Expedition Physiology (3rd year undergraduate)

Exercise can constitute substantial stress and when performed in extreme environmental conditions, the extent of this stress is exacerbated. Humans can survive these harsh environments from a combination of their practical experience and technical expertise and due to the body’s adaptability to an environment. A scientific appreciation of how to prepare for extremes of environment and how the body responds to extreme cases of climatic stress can further prevent mortality. The level 6 module encourages an understanding of and enthusiasm for applied human physiology in the context of climatic stress, but with strong applicability to outdoor pursuits, survival in the wilderness and expeditions.

Topics Covered Include:

Theory – What constitutes an expedition, survival without sleep, survival in the cold, survival in the heat, survival at altitude, expedition nutrition & hydration practices, basic and advanced navigation, survival scenarios

Practical – Energetics of hillwalking and impact of load carriage and slope, sleep deprivation and performance, treatment of accidental hypothermia, Treatment of exertional hyperthermia, screening for hypoxic tolerance, expedition menu planning, navigation techniques

 

SI710 – Applied Environmental Physiology (MSc)

This module examines the application of extreme environmental conditions to athletic, clinical and occupational populations, with emphasis towards exercise responses and methods to alleviate the negative consequences of these hazardous environments. A problem-based learning approach is integrated into the start and end of this advanced environmental physiology module to offer a novel and applied approach to learning. Further, a blend of theoretical study and laboratory practicals are used to improve competence in a range of sophisticated, physiological techniques. The module provides students with the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge and understanding of relevant contemporary issues within environmental physiology.

Topics Covered Include:

Theory – Introduction to module, challenges practitioners face in environmental extremes & choosing the right physiological tests and measures to use in the heat, cold or altitude environment? How do practitioners assess heat tolerance of an athlete, occupational worker or for health? Why is it important for practitioners to understand thermoregulation? Heat illness – from mechanisms explained…to methods practitioners use for assisting recovery, Heat mitigation or therapy – what needs to be in the practitioners’ toolkit? Designing an experiment to investigate physiological reactions to two different simulated altitude methods (via elevation training masks vs chamber), Practitioners at altitude – altitude illnesses, susceptibility, screening & prevention & effect of combined stressors.

Practical – Assessing cold tolerance ahead of an extreme challenge, Screening for heat tolerance and acclimation state to determine heat illness susceptibility, Assessing autonomic and behavioural thermoregulation with help from the TV! Using metabolic heat production calculations to compare heat reactions across different body masses/fitness types, Physiological reactions to two different simulated altitude methods (via elevation training masks vs environmental chamber), Physiological screening for hypoxic tolerance and AMS susceptibility, Self-designed laboratory study