99694 - T.T. Adapted Physical Exercise

Learning outcomes

Adapted Physical Exercise (EFA) can be defined as the regular and constant practice of a motor activity, in which parameters such as: intensity, duration, frequency and specificity are evaluated, programmed, established and dosed. This administration must be carried out, as a rule and in particular cases, through collaboration with various professionals in the healthcare sector. The concept of EFA represents the overcoming of traditional "training", at the basis of which, however, key notions and principles, deriving from the training methodology, persist. The general criterion is to take care of people who present risk factors and suffer from pathological conditions. Such people can benefit from correctly prescribed and controlled physical exercise. Furthermore, the objective is to experiment with prevention and treatment programmes, based on physical exercise, preparing the organizational methods within which both the prescription of physical activity takes place, personalized on the characteristics of the individual, and the administration through paths that guarantee the achievement and maintenance of the prescribed activity levels over time. At the end of the course, the student: - has skills on the primary function that adapted physical exercise plays in the context of a sedentary lifestyle and the aging process, in particular on the progressive decrease in the individual's physical adaptation and performance capabilities; - knows the therapeutic function of physical activity and its specializations, through the analysis of specific themes, in improving a lifestyle related to cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic diseases. He is able to identify and differentiate the moments of prevention and compensation and to apply teaching methodologies also suitable for age and to transfer his knowledge into the application field and therefore to develop an individualized work protocol. These topics are developed in order to involve competent professionals in different clinical sectors and with research tools.

Course contents

MODULE 1 – Period 1 – Prof. Guido Belli

Growth Laws and Classification of Morphological Alterations

• Historical background and objectives of preventive and compensatory motor education

• Laws of growth

• Classification of morphological alterations

• Causes of morphological alterations

• Onset periods of morphological alterations and the importance of prevention

Mechanomorphosis

• Mechanomorphosis: general principles

• Delpech’s Law

• Lamarck’s and Darwin’s theories

• Laws of muscular development

• Borelli’s and Weber-Fick’s Laws

• Shwam’s Law

• Experimental conditions by Lapierre

Compensatory Motor Education Techniques

• General principles of compensatory motor education

• Classification of exercises within the educational context (muscle strengthening, mobility, body awareness, relaxation and body perception, balance, coordination)

Posture

• Posture: definitions, characteristics of the tonic-postural system, relevance of posture in the modern context, mechanisms of postural control

• Subject analysis: postural assessment

Morphological Alterations

• Respiratory gymnastics and its importance for all trunk-related alterations

• Thoracic alterations

• Characteristics, causes, consequences, and treatment of lower limb alterations:

  • Foot: flatfoot, valgus, varus, cavus, hallux valgus

  • Knee: valgus, varus, recurvatum, flexum

• Characteristics, causes, consequences, and treatment of spinal column alterations:

  • Cervical region: hyperlordosis, hypolordosis, inversion

  • Thoracic region: hyperkyphosis, hypokyphosis, inversion

  • Lumbar region: hyperlordosis, hypolordosis, inversion

• Alterations of the scapulohumeral girdle

• Lateral deviations of the spine: scoliotic posture, scoliosis – characteristics, causes, consequences, and treatment options

• Main methods and techniques for posture correction

Prevention and Ergonomics of the Postural System

• Prevention of morphological alterations

• Prevention of pain syndromes

• Intervention strategies based on the age of the subject

MANDATORY TECHNICAL-PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES (T.P.A.)

1st PRACTICAL SESSION

• Postural evaluation

• Fundamental principles for static observation

• Analysis of main reference points compared to the optimal model

• Use of the stick as an aid in assessment

2nd PRACTICAL SESSION

• Respiratory gymnastics

• Role of the diaphragm and accessory muscles

• Breathing analysis in standing and supine positions

• Abdominal, thoracic, and mixed breathing exercises

• Thoracic shaping in relation to major morphological alterations

• Self-massage and awareness of respiratory effort

3rd PRACTICAL SESSION

• Analysis of the lower limb: observation of morphological alterations at the hip, knee, and foot

• Biomechanical relationships between lower limb segments: intoeing and outtoeing

• Foot analysis: rearfoot and forefoot relationships in morphological alterations

• Observation of the plantar imprint using a podoscope

• Exercises for flatfoot, cavus foot, rearfoot valgus and varus

• Genu varum and valgum: analysis and main exercises

4th PRACTICAL SESSION

• Shoulders: morphological alterations of the scapulohumeral girdle

• Analysis of scapulohumeral rhythm during movement and kinesiological assessment of the upper limb

• Relationship between upper limb and scapulae during specific exercises

• Cervical spine: morphological alterations and kinesiological treatment

5th PRACTICAL SESSION

• Characteristics, causes, consequences, and treatment of spinal column alterations

• Thoracic spine: corrective movement analysis across different planes

• Specific exercises for hyperkyphosis and hypokyphosis

• Kinesiological proposals using small and large equipment

6th PRACTICAL SESSION

• Lumbar spine: corrective movement analysis across different planes

• Specific exercises for hyperlordosis and hypolordosis

• Kinesiological proposals using small and large equipment

• Load management in the lumbar area based on ergonomic principles

7th PRACTICAL SESSION

• Three-dimensional spinal alterations: scoliotic posture, scoliosis – characteristics, causes, consequences, and treatment strategies

• Main methods and techniques for correction on sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes

• Exercises for mobilization, strengthening, and postural control using established methodologies

 

MODULE 2 – Period 2 – Prof. P. Maietta Latessa

ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (APA)

• Main primary and secondary risk factors

• Physical activity, age, life expectancy, and impairment

APA AND CARDIORESPIRATORY FUNCTION

• General principles of programs aimed at improving cardiorespiratory function

• Physical exercise and heart disease

• APA and peripheral artery disease

APA AND HYPERTENSION

• Case studies and literature sources

APA AND METABOLIC SYNDROME

• Physical exercise and overweight

• Physical exercise and obesity

• Physical exercise and diabetes

• Case studies and literature sources

APA, DEPRESSION AND COGNITIVE DECLINE

• Physical activity and exercise guidelines

• Scientific evidence

• Objectives

THE ROLE OF ADAPTED PHYSICAL EXERCISE IN CANCER PREVENTION AND PROGNOSIS

• Physical activity and exercise guidelines

APA FOR FRAIL ELDERLY

• General guidelines

• Exercise recommendations

MANDATORY TECHNICAL-PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES (T.P.A.)

1st – 2nd PRACTICAL SESSION

• Differences between Adapted Physical Activity (APA) and Adapted Physical Exercise (APE)

• Physiological changes induced by general aerobic endurance training

• Key parameters for modulating internal load: VO₂ and HR

• Heart rate assessment using formulas (Haskell-Fox, Tanaka, Karvonen)

• HR measurement with a heart rate monitor

• Overview of heart diseases and related intervention strategies

• Submaximal evaluation tests using ergometers: “One-Mile Test” and “YMCA Test”

• Practical trials with equipment

3rd – 4th PRACTICAL SESSION

• Submaximal evaluation tests without ergometers: “6-Minute Walk Test”, “McArdle Step Test”, and “2-Minute Step Test”

• Recovery capacity evaluation (Ruffier-Dickson formula)

• Borg Scale (CR10, CR20) as an indicator of perceived exertion

• Defining training load in endurance exercises

• Overview of hypertension and intervention methods

• Strength training in cardiac conditions and hypertension

• Practical trials with equipment

5th – 6th PRACTICAL SESSION

• Metabolic syndrome: diabetes and obesity

• General overview of treatment for metabolic disorders

• Kinesiological intervention: dosage and general guidelines

• Joint mobility training

• Circuit training as a metabolic-impact exercise method

• Bodyweight exercises and use of small and large equipment

7th PRACTICAL SESSION

• Heart disease and metabolic syndrome: practical experience in specialized centers

• The role of the Exercise and Sport Science graduate in Adapted Physical Exercise

• Importance of respiratory gymnastics and relaxation techniques

• Practical exercises

Readings/Bibliography

Students are informed that a thorough understanding of the topics covered requires continuous updating, particularly in relation to new technological tools and the latest scientific evidence concerning various applied methodologies.

For this reason, and due to the wide range of topics addressed, lectures will be conducted with the support of slides, which will serve as a reference point for further study using the recommended texts.

To effectively follow the lectures, it is recommended that students consult the teaching materials made available during the previous academic year and integrate them with the content presented in class. For each topic covered, specific books or publications will be suggested.

The course does not adopt a single textbook as the sole reference.

Teaching methods

The lectures will cover the fundamental theoretical topics and will be complemented by practical exercises conducted in organized groups, with mandatory attendance (please refer carefully to the section Assessment and Evaluation Methods).

During the course, seminars will also be held focusing on applied aspects of the subject. The topics covered in these seminars will form an integral part of the course program and may be included in the exam assessment.

Assessment methods

• To be eligible for the oral exam, students must have attended at least 70% of the practical sessions and passed the written qualification test.

 

• The oral exam also requires completion of the Module 1 teaching unit as a prerequisite.

During the oral exam, students will be asked two main questions related to the topics covered in the course. The assessment may also include additional questions aimed at clarifying specific aspects of the main topics.

The exam will be considered passed by students who demonstrate mastery and operational competence regarding the key concepts presented during the course, particularly in terms of understanding and managing the complexity of the subject.
A higher grade will be awarded to students who show full comprehension and the ability to apply all course content, articulating their answers with clarity and appropriate terminology, solving even complex problems, and demonstrating good practical control.

Failure to pass the exam may result from insufficient knowledge of key concepts, inadequate command of the specific technical language, or limited operational skills.

Only students who have registered within the official deadlines will be admitted to the exam.

There will be seven exam sessions throughout the academic year:

• Session I (January – February) – 3 exam dates

• Session II (June – August) – 3 exam dates

• Session III (September) – 1 exam dat

 

.

Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) or Temporary/Permanent Disabilities:

It is strongly recommended to contact the relevant University Office in advance: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en
It will be the student's responsibility to propose any necessary accommodations, which must be submitted at least 15 days in advance for approval by the course instructor, who will assess their appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

 

 

Teaching tools

Lectures will be accompanied by visual and audiovisual aids to support understanding and in-depth exploration of the topics covered.

As part of the practical sessions, the course makes use of specific equipment for the assessment and instruction of motor activity, with particular reference to Adapted Physical Activity (APA), allowing students to apply theoretical concepts in practical settings.

Teaching Materials

The teaching materials presented during lectures will be made available to students in electronic format through dedicated online platforms. These materials serve as useful guidelines for individual study and further exploration of course topics; however, they do not replace the content covered during face-to-face lectures, which remains an essential and integral part of the learning process.

Links to further information

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/pasqualino.maietta/avvisi

Office hours

See the website of Pasqualino Maietta Latessa

See the website of

See the website of Elia Foschi

See the website of Leydi Natalia Vittori

See the website of Leydi Natalia Vittori