Clinical Exercise Prescription - Cardiac Rehabilitation

Module title	Clinical Exercise Prescription - Cardiac Rehabilitation
Module code	ESS3812
Academic year	2025/6
Credits	15
Module staff	Professor Richard Winsley (Convenor) Dr Bert Bond (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	12	12	Note: The module will be offered in both Terms 1 and 2.

Number students taking module (anticipated)	50

Module description

Understanding the role of exercise in cardiac rehabilitation is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Exercise can enhance cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of future cardiac events, and improve overall well-being. Learning how to design safe and realistic exercise prescriptions is essential to tailor programs to individual needs, considering factors such as medical history, current fitness levels, and potential risks. Effective exercise prescriptions support gradual progression, monitor for adverse effects, and encourage long-term adherence to physical activity. This knowledge empowers healthcare providers to create personalized, effective, and safe rehabilitation plans that promote recovery and prevent further cardiac complications.

This module will give you an understanding of the aetiology of coronary artery disease and its impact on the exercise response. You will also receive a foundation in the practicalities of exercise testing and delivering a safe and effective exercise prescription.

Important – please note that this module repeats the delivery in both term 1 and term 2. If you select this module, you will be assigned to study it in either term 1 or term 2; you cannot choose which term you study in.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will equip you with the ability to exercise test and prescribe a safe, realistic and effective programme for an individual with a particular cardiac condition.

The following graduate attributes will be developed:

Team work in the task given for the assessments and laboratory sessions
Applied thinking and problem solving – applying the knowledge you have gained to safely test and prescribe exercise in patients with coronary disease
People skills in communicating with peers and module teaching team
Exercise clinical skills – basic clinical skills and performing a Graded Exercise Test

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Demonstrate the necessary skills to be able to safely and competently exercise test an individual with coronary disease
2. Knowledge of how to construct an appropriately safe, realistic and effective exercise training programmes for individuals with coronary disease

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

3. Demonstrate skills of analysis and critical evaluation to support your conclusions / recommendations

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

4. Work productively in a co-operative context
5. Present information / ideas competently

Syllabus plan

The following topics may be covered in the module

Cardiac anatomy and physiology, CAD aetiology
ECG and common arrhythmias
Cardiac rehab – altered exercise response; testing; training and prescription
Risk stratification
Clinical exercise testing skills
Hypertension
Metabolic syndrome
Prediction/submaximal and maximal exercise testing
Conducting exercise referral consultations

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
35	115	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	35	Lectures, practical laboratory classes, online seminar sessions
Guided Independent Study	115	Completion of set readings from journals, textbooks and / or web based resources. Practice of practical exercise testing skills.

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Exercise testing skills	On-going during laboratory classes	1-4	Staff and peer feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
0	0	100

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Graded exercise test on a mock patient	100	40 minutes exercise test + 5 minutes Q&A	1-5	Written and oral

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Graded exercise test on a mock patient	Interview with patient about exercise test results 20 minutes interview + 5 minutes Q&A	1-5	This will normally take place in the Ref / def assessment period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be deferred in the assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment because of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall you will be required to sit a further assessment. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Clinical Exercise Physiology (5^th Ed). Ehrman, Gordon, Visich and Keteyian (Eds). Human Kinetics; Illinois. 2022
ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (11^th Ed). Lippincott; London. 2021

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Module ELE page: (Key readings will be provided each week through the ELE site)

Key words search

Cardiac rehabilitation, exercise testing, exercise prescription

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	ESS2001 Exercise Physiology or equivalent from other departments / external institutions
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	22/11/2024