SP4002 - Energetics of Exercise

What will I learn on this module?

The human body is made up of thousands of chemicals, continuously interacting to sustain life. Chemical reactions underlie all physiological processes, including how your muscles contract, your heart beats and your cells liberate energy from the food you eat. In “Energetics of Exercise” you will study the basic principles of biochemistry that support life and help us understand how your body responds to, and fuels, exercise. You will study the basic principles that underpin the liberation of energy for exercise, how protein, fats and carbohydrates contribute to fuel energy supply and how energy provision differs during exercise lasting from 1 second to several hours, from the weightlifter to the endurance athlete. Students are also introduced to the BASES and SENr Codes of Conduct prior to laboratory sessions.

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through lectures, laboratory practicals, seminars/workshops and directed reading and lab book tasks. Each week you will receive a lecture, providing a theoretical overview of the weekly content. A laboratory practical will follow, which will provide you with hands on experience of the taught theoretical material delivered in the lecture. Finally, you will attend a tutor supported seminar which will give you the opportunity to engage effectively with the data collected in your laboratory practical sessions. During laboratory practicals you will work in Northumbria’s BASES accredited laboratories, which are fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology. You will be provided with a laboratory practical book at the start of this module. This will facilitate data collection during your laboratory practicals but will also include weekly problem-driven tasks (based on the lab practical content) which will be discussed in the weekly seminars.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Module information, assessment requirements and expectations, and important module announcements will be made through the eLP. Material to support your learning will be uploaded in advance of sessions. You will be provided with content verbally and guided through tasks during timetabled sessions. A dedicated assessment session will afford you the opportunity to ask assessment related questions in class. The Module Leader is there to support you with any queries that you may have about the module content, and all staff members provide tutorial time outside of class time. Module tutors will provide you with the necessary information on how to arrange a tutorial. You will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on your development during the module, and you will receive feedback on summative work to help you identify areas of strength and areas for development. There will be the opportunity to discuss your feedback with a member of staff during a tutorial. There is also further academic skills support available from the University Library services.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will be able to identify different cellular and metabolic processes that can lead to the production and utilisation of energy;
2. You will be able to explain key scientific principles which underpin how exercise and nutritional status can affect metabolism.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will be able to analyse the nutritional content of food items using first hand dietary analysis principles;
4. You will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of key laboratory assessment strategies that can be used to explore how exercise and nutritional status can affect the regulation of energy producing pathways.

How will I be assessed?

There will be two assessments for this module.

1. A 1-hour written exam made up of multiple choice and short answer questions (60%; KU 1,2 IPSA 3).
2. An individual written report. You will write up a method and results section for an experiment (1000 words). An assessment tab will be made available on Blackboard with a folder containing the brief and a data set to be analysed (40%; IPSA 4).


Formative Feedback
On a frequent basis you will be tasked with completing short answer and MCQ questions. You will be provided with a lab book to facilitate this process and the content will be based on the previous week’s taught material and reading. The weekly lab book tasks will also familiarise you with the format and content of questions that you will receive in your exam and will help with preparation for your report. Staff will provide generic feedback in labs and seminars about the quality of performance and progress on these weekly problem-driven tasks.

Summative Feedback
You will receive written or audio feedback on your summative assessment to help you identify areas of strength and areas for development. There will be the opportunity to discuss your feedback with a member of staff during a tutorial.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

The human body is made up of thousands of chemicals, continuously interacting to sustain life. Chemical reactions underlie all physiological processes, including how your muscles contract, your heart beats and your cells liberate energy from the food you eat. In “Energetics of Exercise” you will study the basic principles of biochemistry that support life and help us understand how your body responds to, and fuels, exercise. You will study the basic principles that underpin the liberation of energy for exercise, how protein, fats and carbohydrates contribute to fuel energy supply and how energy provision differs during exercise lasting from 1 second to several hours, from the weightlifter to the endurance athlete. Students are also introduced to the BASES and SENr Codes of Conduct prior to laboratory sessions.

Course info

UCAS Code CB65

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Useful Links

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints