Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Practical Sports Physiology and Assessment of Physical Performance
Course Code
LSPA_626
Branch of Science
Health sciences; Other Sub-Branches of Health and Sports Science
ECTS
8.00
Target Audience
Public Health; Rehabilitation; Sports Science; Sports Trainer
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Dace Reihmane
Structure Unit Manager
Uģis Ciematnieks
Structural Unit
Department of Sports Theory
Contacts
LSPA, Brīvības gatve 333, Riga, LV-1006
About Study Course
Objective
To provide in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge about the physiological response and adaptation mechanisms of the human body during physical exertion. To develop skills to assess an individual's physical performance using various physiological, biochemical and anthropometric methods, as well as to create individualized exercise and recovery strategies.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basic knowledge in the physiology and biochemistry of skeletal muscle, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.After successfully completing the course, the student will be able to: • explain the functioning of skeletal muscle, cardiovascular and respiratory systems at rest and during physical exertion, based on the physiological and biochemical processes occurring in the body; • name and explain short-term and long-term physiological and biochemical adaptations as a result of resistance (strength) and aerobic (endurance) training; • name, describe and compare different methods of assessing physical performance (e.g. VO₂max, submaximal tests, field tests); • explain the physiological principles of resting metabolism and the causes of RED-S syndrome; • describe changes in biochemical parameters during physical exertion, overload and recovery processes; • name various anthropometric and body composition assessment methods and explain their principles of operation; • name various recovery methods and explain their importance in the health and performance of athletes.
Skills
1.Application of knowledge - ability to: • analyse functional capability assessment tests (e.g. VO ₂ max, submax, EMG, ECG, spirometry) based on physiological and biochemical processes in the body; • interpret the results of gas exchange (ventilation thresholds VT1, VT2), lactate (LT1, LT2) and biochemical markers (hormones, enzymes); • assess body composition by different methods (calypometry, bioimpedance, DEXA) • detect peace metobolism and apply RED-S diagnostic tools; • apply performance monitoring techniques to everyday work; • evaluate and apply recovery strategies in the exercise process.
2.Skills to address the challenges of situations.
3.Skills in using scientific literature and interpreting data.
4.Skills to perform simplified functional capability assessment tests.
5.Communication skills acquired through organised group work.
Competences
1.Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: • integrate knowledge of physiological and biochemical processes, explaining individual functional capacity and physical performance assessment tests, according to age and gender; • develop an individual training and recovery plan based on the results of the functional capacity and physical performance assessment tests; • based on the data, assess health risks related to low energy availability or excessive load and adjust training methodology; • evaluate the reliability of measurement data and its suitability for a specific population; • use various methods for long-term monitoring of athletes; • develop scientifically based recommendations for improving physical performance.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Sport Science SRIG attendance |
-
|
Test
|
|
The student has the opportunity to gain an additional 10% for the course grade if they attend 3 Sports Science SRIG sessions. |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Sports physiology and biochemistry colloquia |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Colloquia includes: (a) detailed multi-choice tests requiring specific theoretical and practical knowledge; (b) tasks assessing students’ understanding of physiological and biochemical processes and their regulation during exercise; (c) tasks assessing students’ ability to apply the acquired knowledge by analysing simplified situation tasks. |
||
|
2.
Functional capability and physical performance assessment methods |
60.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Colloquia includes: (a) detailed multi-choice tests requiring specific theoretical and practical knowledge; (b) tasks assessing students’ understanding of the various functional capability assessment tests; (c) tasks assessing students’ ability to apply the acquired knowledge by analysing simplified situation tasks. |
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Physiology of skeletal muscles
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Registration of muscle EMG during increasing resistance load
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sports physiology of the cardiovascular system
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Sports physiology of the cardiovascular system
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sports physiology of the respiratory system
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Spirography at rest and during exertion
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Energy substrates and homeostasis
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Defining the association of metabolic pathways
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Adaptation of biochemical processes during physical exertion
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Determination of pyruvate and lactate by photospectrometry; blood analysis during rest, load and recovery
|
-
Test
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Colloquium: Sports physiology and biochemistry
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Anthropometry and somatotypes
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Comparison of methods used for body composition assessment
|
-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Peace metabolism and REDS
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Determination of resting metabolism using Q-NRG max
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The importance of biochemical parameters in sport and their application in prevention, during physical exertion and in recovery
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Application of the blood test “Sports Health Panel” in practice
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Aerobic capacity physiology: VO2Max and threshold concept
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Determination of VO2Max and ventilation thresholds using CPET
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Submaximal physical performance tests
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Use of submaximal physical performance tests for estimation of VO2max
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Monitoring and evaluation of daily performance
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Practical, easy day-to-day performance tests: the importance of micromonitoring in the training
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Recovery methods and strategies
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Practical application of different recovery methods during training and competitions
|
-
Test
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
4
|
Topics
|
Colloquium: functional capability assessment methods
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
8.00
Contact hours:
72 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
McArdle WD, Katch FI, Katch VL. Exercise Physiology: Nutrition, Energy, and Human Performance, 2023Suitable for English stream
2.
Powers SK & Howley ET. Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance, 2023Suitable for English stream
3.
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 2025Suitable for English stream