PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE IN ADULT AND ELDERLY AGE

Degree course: 
Academic year when starting the degree: 
2021/2022
Year: 
1
Academic year in which the course will be held: 
2021/2022
Course type: 
Compulsory subjects, characteristic of the class
Seat of the course: 
Varese - Università degli Studi dell'Insubria
Credits: 
2
Period: 
First Semester
Standard lectures hours: 
16
Detail of lecture’s hours: 
Lesson (16 hours)
Requirements: 

None

The assessment of the achievement of the objectives provided by the Course includes an oral exam composed of two questions on the topics included in the program.
The exam questions are aimed at defining the knowledge and understanding of the physiological mechanisms and modifications observed with aging, the ability to apply knowledge and understanding, and the ability to learn the topics covered.

Assessment: 
Voto Finale

Physiology studies the human vital functions and analyses he mechanisms through which the organism realizes ad maintains its internal homeostasis at molecular, cellular and tissue level in spite of the modification of the surrounding environment and of aging.
The objective of the Course of Exercise Physiology in Adults and Elderlies will be to provide graduates with all the information necessary to understand, from a biophysical-quantitative point of view, the modifications of functioning of the various organs and systems of the body under normal conditions in the adult and with aging, and their control by the nervous system central and autonomous and endocrine system.
Dublin descriptor 1: knowledge and understanding
Students must learn the basic mechanisms modifying tissues and organs function of healthy subjects with aging;
Dublin descriptor 2: applied knowledge and understanding
Students must use the acquired knowledge to understand complex and integrated physiological mechanisms.
Dublin descriptor 3: independent judgment
Ability to reason about the correlation between structure, biophysical behavior and the function of organs and systems.
Dublin descriptor 4: communication skills
Capability to clearly describe the discussed issues by using the adequate technical language.
Dublin descriptor 5: ability to learn
Ability to associate quantitative and functional parameters with changes in physiological conditions.

Changes found in multiple systems as age progresses in the healthy subject will be illustrated and discussed. In particular, the general mechanisms of cellular and tissue ageing and specifically changes in the functioning of organs and systems will be investigated, with particular regard to the systems more directly involved in physical exercise:
- nervous system
- skeletal muscle
- cardiovascular system
- respiratory system
- renal system
- endocrine system

Definition of aging, senescence, biological and chronological age. Biomarkers of aging. Mortality rate. Aging and evolution. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of aging: oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, free radicals. Glycosylation and glycosylation. Mitochondrial damage. Somatic mutations. autophagy. Alterations of homeostasis. Necrosis, apoptosis and necroptosis. Aging of physiological systems. fragility. Thinning of the skin. Structural and functional alterations of skeletal muscle. Sarcopenia. Bone remodeling and function of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Joint flexibility. Deterioration of cardiovascular function. Reduction of arterial distensibility. Reduction of beta-adrenergic activity. Structural and functional involvement of the respiratory system in the elderly. Alterations in the mechanical properties of the lung and rib cage. Increased inhomogeneity of the perfusion ventilation ratio. Decrease in oxygen consumption, capillary alveolus diffusion capacity of gas. Deficits of sensory and motor alterations. Central processing times. Cognitive functions.
Effects of physical activity and aerobic and anaerobic training on the rate of functional decay of the cardiovascular, respiratory, osteo-muscular and nervous systems

Physiology of sport and exercise – L: Kenney, J.H. Wilmore, D.L. Costill—Seventh Ed.

Teaching will be given through frontal lessons. With the aid of images, schemas, graphs and biophysical analysis of the functioning mechanisms of cells, tissues and organs, the student will be driven to the comprehension of the different but integrated physiological processes

Prof. Negrini is available for the students through appointment set through the e-mail address: daniela.negrini@uninsubria.it

Professors

NEGRINI DANIELA