Overview

In Environmental Physiology you will learn how environmental stress, such as high mountains, cold water, and hot deserts, affects the human body to have negative and positive effects on health and performance. Based on our experiences working with sports and industry (Sport Wales, the Army, Outlook Expeditions, Blizzard Survival), you will also learn about evidence-based practical strategies to improve the performance and health of people exposed to extreme environments. We will also reveal how an understanding of environmental physiology might be harnessed to improve the health of the general population. You have probably heard the phrase “Exercise is Medicine” – this module will explore the idea of the ‘Environment as Medicine’.

During this module, you will have the opportunity to advance your critical analysis, problem-solving, and communication skills as we support you in lectures and seminars to create a poster that appraises the environment's effect on human performance and health, and a concise written report that proposes a practical strategy to improve performance and health in extreme environments.

Application of these strategies and skills could help aid your own and others' performance and health!

The main themes explored in this module include how: • environmental stress might be harnessed to improve the health of the general population. • environmental stress (hot, cold, altitude/hypoxia, sunlight) influences resting and exercising physiological responses, exercise performance, the immune system, illness, and injury of active persons such as athletes, explorers, and armed and emergency service personnel. • evidence-based practical strategies can improve the performance and health of those performing in extreme environments.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold (D) Most specific poster/report assessment criteria are met to an adequate standard, although there may be a wide range in the quality of different components. The rationale for poster and report content is unclear. A basic knowledge of the chosen topic is shown only. There are minor errors in physiological understanding. Content is largely descriptive and occasionally referenced but relies upon references from lectures and secondary sources (reviews and books). There is limited development of the argument. The key message/conclusions are mostly clear. Presentation, structure and formatting are adequate only, meaning the communication of poster/report content is not always clear to the assessor, e.g., limited structure, poor use of figures, colour, font, and some grammatical and typographical errors.

Good (C) Most specific poster/report assessment criteria are met to a good standard, although there may be a wide range in the quality of different components. The rationale for poster/report content is clear. There is good coverage, knowledge and understanding of the chosen topic shown. Statements are referenced with pertinent literature and there is evidence of independent thought that extends beyond lecture materials. Very minor errors only in the physiological understanding. Key messages/conclusions are clear. Good presentation, structure and formatting that supports clear communication of poster/report content, e.g., poster/report is well-structured, figures, colour and font are effectively used, and there are very few typographical or grammatical errors.

Excellent (A) Most specific poster/report assessment criteria are met to an excellent standard, although there may be a wide range in the quality of different components. The rationale for the poster/report content is clear. The content is detailed, and up-to-date knowledge of the chosen topic area is shown. Detailed understanding, as evidenced by good critical analysis and clarity of argument. Original thought and/or ideas are evident. Statements are well-referenced with primary and up-to-date sources. No errors in physiological understanding. Key messages/conclusions are very clear. Excellent presentation, structure and formatting that enhances the communication of poster/report content, e.g., well structured, excellent balance of text and figures, and choice of colour and font, there is clear evidence of thorough proofreading with almost no formatting, typographical or grammatical errors.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply knowledge of the human body to examine how it adapts to environmental stress to influence exercise performance and health

• Appraise the environment's effect on human performance and health for the benefit of a professional organisation

• Critique and select strategies to optimise human performance and health in extreme environments

• Propose a practical strategy that could be applied by a professional organisation to improve human performance and health in extreme environments.