Assessment 1: Portfolio

Weighting: 40% 

Word Count: Part A: 2,500–3,000 words | Part B: 15-minute oral presentation (presented at residential school)

In the absence of an approved extension, any submissions received after the due date will incur penalties in accordance with the CQUniversity Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Overview

This assessment comprises two components:

Part A: Students will select one musculoskeletal condition from a provided list and conduct a critical review of current exercise guidelines and research literature. Based on this review, students will develop a best-practice exercise protocol that includes contraindications, screening processes, assessment methods, and a tailored 12-week exercise program. The protocol must justify clinical reasoning and outline expected acute and chronic physiological responses to exercise.

Part B: Students will deliver a 15-minute individual presentation explaining the developed protocol, its application in clinical practice, and strategies to overcome barriers to implementation across different populations and settings. Both components must be supported by recent, relevant references formatted in APA 7th edition.

The 72-hour grace period does not apply to Part B in this assessment.

Assessment Criteria

• Depth and accuracy of literature review and evidence-based
• Quality and safety of protocol development and exercise program design
• Explanation of physiological responses and adaptations
• Application to practice and problem-solving for barriers
• Professional presentation and communication
• Academic writing and referencing

The written submission (Portfolio - Part A) comprises a literature review and a detailed exercise protocol. This is not an essay but a structured professional document that includes evidence-based recommendations, program design, and clinical reasoning. The written submission will be 2500 – 3000 words in length (not including a cover page and references) and be prepared according to the following instructions: 

Document type: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) 

• Page size: A4 
• Font: Calibri 12 point 
• Line spacing: Double-spaced throughout 
• Language: Australian English 
• Margins: 2.54cm on all sides 
• Tables and Figures: May be used, but titles and footnotes will be included in the word count 

Your submission must be supported by recent (ideally within the past 5-10 years) relevant references from the peer-reviewed literature, as necessary. Do NOT refer to blogs, websites, YouTube videos, or other non-scientific sources. You MUST refer to empirical research, reviews, guidelines, or consensus statements published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Your essay will be marked against the criteria described in the Assessment Criteria section below. It will contribute 40% of your overall grade for this unit.

Level of GenAI use allowed: 

Level 3 - AI may be used to help complete the task, including idea generation, drafting, feedback, and refinement. Students should critically evaluate and modify the AI-suggested outputs, demonstrating their understanding.

The portfolio will be marked using the criteria described below.

Part A: Review of Literature and Protocol Development

• Describe the selected musculoskeletal condition, including relevant anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and determinants of health and function.
• Critically review current exercise guidelines and research literature to inform best-practice recommendations.
• Outline contraindications to exercise and describe processes for collecting client musculoskeletal history, pre-event exercise levels, client goals, and physiological measurements (e.g., BMI, waist/hip ratio, BP, HR, SpO₂).
• Detail appropriate assessments for cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal function.
• Develop a 12-week exercise program tailored to the condition, including exercise type, frequency, intensity, time, progression, and provide clinical reasoning for each component using current evidence.
• Explain expected physiological responses to acute exercise bouts (e.g., HR, BP, body temperature, hormonal responses) and adaptations to chronic exercise (e.g., VO₂max, hypertrophy, neural adaptations) resulting from the program.

Part B: Individual Presentation (conducted at residential school) 

• Present the developed protocol and explain the processes used in its development.
• Describe how the recommendations can be applied in practice as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and guide other healthcare professionals.
• Identify potential barriers to implementation across different populations and settings and propose evidence-based solutions.
• Deliver a clear, professional, and engaging presentation using PowerPoint or an equivalent media platform.
• Upload the presentation file to Moodle as part of the online submission requirements.
• Deliver a clear, professional, and engaging presentation using appropriate visual aids.

Referencing

• Use recent, relevant references formatted in APA 7th edition style to support your submission.

Marks will be awarded using a marking rubric available on Moodle.

Assessment 2: In-Class Test

Weighting: 20%

Attempts: One attempt only

The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.

Overview

Students will complete a paper-based in-class test at the commencement of the residential school. The test will assess students’ knowledge of physiology, pathophysiology, and other determinants of health and function for common musculoskeletal conditions. It will also evaluate understanding of physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise for clients with musculoskeletal conditions.

Question Types: A variety of question styles will be used for this in-class test. 

Level of GenAI use allowed: 

Level 1 - The assessment is completed entirely without AI assistance in a controlled environment, ensuring that students rely solely on their existing knowledge, understanding, and skills.

The in-class test will be marked using the criteria described below:

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of common musculoskeletal conditions.
• Interpret determinants of health and function relevant to musculoskeletal conditions.
• Explain physiological responses to acute exercise and adaptations to chronic exercise for clients with musculoskeletal conditions.
• Apply clinical reasoning to exercise prescription principles based on evidence-based guidelines.

Marks will be awarded according to accuracy, clarity, and completeness of responses. 

Assessment 3: Residential School Practical Assessment

Weighting: 40%

Attempts: One attempt only

Minimum Pass Requirement: Students must achieve at least 50% in this assessment to pass the unit overall.

The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.

Overview

Students will complete a practical assessment during the residential school, assuming the role of an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP). Each student will be allocated a case study that includes general client details, health conditions, medications, diagnostic procedures, and relevant medical or surgical interventions.

Students will:

• Review the client’s history, medication use, and diagnostic results to evaluate their impact on physiological responses to exercise.
• Conduct appropriate screening (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate) and perform relevant assessments such as sub-maximal exercise and strength tests using appropriate technology and equipment (e.g., treadmill, cycle ergometer, weights).
• Use this information, along with knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, to prescribe and deliver a safe and effective acute or long-term exercise intervention.
• Explain how the intervention will be progressed, monitored, and evaluated using clinical reasoning informed by best-practice guidelines.

Students will then swap roles with peers acting as simulated clients and complete a second case scenario.

Question Types

Students will be provided with resources during lectures and tutorials on prescribing and delivering clinical exercise interventions. At the residential school, students will be randomly allocated one case study and deliver the exercise session using their peers as simulated clients.

Requirements

Students must achieve a minimum of 50% in this assessment to pass the unit overall. 

Level of GenAI use allowed: 

Level 1 - The assessment is completed entirely without AI assistance in a controlled environment, ensuring that students rely solely on their existing knowledge, understanding, and skills.

The practical assessment will be marked using the criteria described below:

• Demonstrate appropriate professional communication and behaviour throughout the session.
• Select and implement suitable screening and assessment tools for the client’s condition.
• Plan and deliver a safe and effective exercise intervention tailored to the client’s needs.
• Apply clinical reasoning to justify exercise prescription, progression, and monitoring strategies.

Marks will be awarded based on accuracy, safety, professionalism, and application of evidence-based practice outlined in the marking rubric on Moodle.