Neuromuscular Adaptations to Training module

Program Overview

Students will develop skills in assessing muscle function, motor unit behavior, movement, and posture. The program includes lectures, seminars, and practical workshops, culminating in an essay-based assessment.

Program Outline

A range of topics will be covered including: muscle metabolism, motor units, control of voluntary movement, biomechanics, motor learning and neural plasticity and morphological adaptations in response to training.

Objectives:

After completion of the Module, the Student will achieve the following skills:

• Theoretical skills:
• Understand different approaches to evaluate mechanical muscle function in humans
• Appreciate motor unit adaptations to training and how changes in motor unit behaviour differ with varying exercise protocols
• Understand how movement and posture can be enhanced with training
• Gain an understanding of the cortical and spinal cord adaptations to motor learning and training
• Gain an overview of changes in muscle morphology and muscle architecture following training
• Understand the physical abilities underpinning proximal (spinal) human function and its relationship to performance
• Practical skills:
• Assessment and evaluation of maximal concentric, eccentric, isometric and explosive muscle strength in vivo (isokinetic dynamometry)
• Evaluation of muscle activity and motor unit behaviour with electromyography
• Assessment of human movement and posture
• Use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
• Assessment of physical abilities underpinning human performance

Assessment:

• Essay (100%)

Teaching:

• Lectures, seminars and practical workshops.

Other:

• Module dates: 14-17th February 2023 inclusive, 27-28th February 2023 inclusive
• Credits: 20 credits
• Learning Outcomes:
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of neuromusculoskeletal physiology
• Critically appraise current methodology to assess deterioration of the neuromuscular system with age
• Justify potential exercise interventions in different scenarios