Muscular Functionality

Code:

645

Acronym:

645

Instance: 2019/2020 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Sports Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCD	61	First Degree in Sports Sciences (2011/2012)	1	-	3	-
			2

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Purposes: (1) to provide students with fundamental knowledge about the functionality of skeletal muscle; (2) to promotebetter understanding of the different susceptible factors which may affect this muscular functionality.

Learning outcomes and competences

It is intended that students at the end of this optional curricular unit will acquire skills involving the knowledge of skeletal muscle structure and functionality, which they might apply in their professional life. In addition, it is intended that this knowledge will contribute to the enrichment and consolidation of the study carried out in other disciplines, namely in relation to the main physiological adaptations to exercise.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Muscular Functionality in Children and adolescents: main morphological, contractile and biochemical differences between the skeletal muscle of a child / young adult and that of an adult.
2. Main muscular metabolic differences among children / adolescents.
3. Genetics, environment and performance. The genetic effects on cardiovascular capacity, muscle composition and endurance.
4. Main guidelines for strength training with children and adolescents.
5. Use of stability balls in strength training protocols for core muscle development.
6. Muscular Aging. Sarcopenia and the characteristics of aged muscle. What to do to delay the process. Influence on autonomy and social life.
7. Elastic properties of skeletal muscle. Neuromuscular characteristics. Muscle recovery through myofascial release.
8. Sports Injuries and their Effects on Muscle Functionality. Major macro and micro trauma injuries. Intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors.
9. Muscle contractures and their effects on muscle function. Signals and symptons. Forms of treatment. The model of radiculopathy in the treatment of contractures caused by degenerative lesions or alterations of the spine.
10. Changes in spinal functionality. Cervical and low back pain: symptomatology, treatment, prevention. Causes of changes in spinal curvatures. Degenerative changes of the spine.

Mandatory literature

Paul J.Goodman; The “Core” of the Workout Should Be on the Ball, NSCA’s Performance Training Journal 2(6), 2014
American Academy of Pediatrics; Strength Training by Children and Adolescents, PEDIATRICS Volume 121, Number 4, 2008
Jane A. Kent-Braun, Robert H. Fitts, Anita Christie; Skeletal Muscle Fatigue, Comprehensive Physiology, 2012
Folland, J.P. & Williams, A.G.; The Adaptations to Strength Training: Morphological and Neurological Contributions to increased Strength., Sports Medicine, 2007

Complementary Bibliography

Shafiee G., Keshtkar A., Soltani A., Ahadi Z., Larijani B., Heshmat R.; Prevalence of sarcopenia in the world: a systematic review and meta- analysis of general population studies., J Diabetes Metab Disord., 2017

Teaching methods and learning activities

Magistral classes.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	66,00
Frequência das aulas	15,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

Approval in the discipline by means of the final exam in the respective regular periods of exams (1st and 2nd), according to the FADEUP evaluation standards issued by the Pedagogical Council.

Calculation formula of final grade

The evaluation of the level of knowledge and skills of the students is carried out in accordance with the legal rules of the University of Porto and with the Evaluation Rules issued by the Pedagogical Council of the Faculty of Sport. Thus, in order to be approved in the discipline of Muscular Functionality, students have two evaluation moments: 1st evaluation period (06/06/2019) and 2nd evaluation period (14/06/2019). In the 1st period students must take a final exam in which they can not present a grade under 9.5 values. If they do not get a positive mark, they are allowed to take a second test (2nd period) where they also need to obtain a minimum grade of 9.5 values. The final classification will be the value rounded to the units.

Examinations or Special Assignments

They are no alternatives to the final examination.

Internship work/project

Not contemplate.

Classification improvement

The improvement of the final classification in Muscular Functionality can take place in one of the two following periods in relation to the time in which it was obtained approval. Students must carry out their registration until 3 days before the date of the examination.

Observations

According the objectives of this curricular unit - to provide knowledge about the functionality of skeletal muscle and to promote understanding of the different factors that may affect it - we consider that the eclectic range of topics included in the program of this course, which include subjects as varied as the changes in muscular functionality resulting from aging, neuromuscular fatigue, strength training and flexibility, altitude training, among others, clearly allows the achievement of the established goals.