EXSC8003 Advanced Exercise Prescription and Neuromusculoskeletal Disorders

This topic provides the theoretical basis and practical knowledge to enable students to design and apply advanced exercise prescription in people with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders for the promotion of return to work (occupational conditioning) or routine exercise (overall health promotion). This topic presents students an overview of common neuromusculoskeletal conditions and medical management of these conditions, allowing better incorporation of clinical exercise physiology practice in interdisciplinary primary and secondary health care scenarios. Using case study scenarios and practical classes, students will interpret case history data to design/apply individualised exercise interventions/functional assessments. Students will be provided with the physiological basis to a variety of approaches to exercise prescription, including resistance and functional exercise training, to manage neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. In addition the pathophysiological bases of different neuromusculoskeletal conditions will be explored to enable students to design safe and effective exercise interventions for people suffering from disorders such as stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, dementia, traumatic brain injury, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and acute, sub-acute, and chronic specific and non-specific musculoskeletal pain/injuries/disabilities to promote activities of daily living, sport, return to work and prevention of injury.

• Demonstrate the ability to design evidence-based exercise interventions for people with work or exercise-related neuromusculoskeletal conditions as part of the overall rehabilitation or risk management strategy
• Critically evaluate the pathophysiological processes and allied medical treatment strategies of common neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, that enable interdisciplinary practice within a primary and secondary health care setting
• Analyse and evaluate the scope of clinical exercise physiology practice and compare roles of Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) from other health professionals in a multi-disciplinary care and rehabilitation environments
• Critically analyse approaches to exercise prescription/functional assessments in primary and secondary health care settings to promote activities of daily living, sport, return to work, and in the prevention of injury in patients with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders
• Transmit knowledge in the biomechanical basis of functional exercise strategies enabling advanced approaches to exercise prescription in common neurological and musculoskeletal conditions

1. Critically evaluate the pathophysiological bases and current medical/allied health treatments of common neurological and musculoskeletal disorders in a multi-disciplinary care and rehabilitation environments
2. Analyse and evaluate the psycho-biological mechanisms of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and the mode of action and indications of medications commonly prescribed for musculoskeletal pain
3. Critically analyse the scope of practice and role of AEPs compared to other health professionals in delivering care for patients with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders
4. Apply exercise/functional capacity assessments and advanced approaches and progression of safe exercise prescriptions in patients with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders to promote return to work (occupational rehabilitation), activities of daily living, sport or routine exercise, and prevention of injury
5. Analyse and evaluate the functional anatomical basis as a rational for different exercise prescription strategies and progression in the management of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders
6. Apply appropriate screening tools/techniques within the AEP scope of practice to determine a client’s baseline exercise/functional capacity to inform exercise prescription or monitor client’s clinical prognosis
7. Identify and critique assessments of functional anatomical movement capacity and musculoskeletal screening applied to common occupational and exercise-related injury conditions
8. Critically evaluate the clinical presentation and process of referral of adverse signs and symptoms and medical emergencies (red flags) relevant to exercise prescription in neurological and musculoskeletal conditions
9. Employ behavioural change strategies and revise communication to accommodate changes in executive function and client clinical status inter and intra session; and facilitate mitigation of cognitive, behavioural and other influencing factors on treatment progression for individual neurological, musculoskeletal, and rehabilitation clients