Physical Activity and Health

The course provides an introduction to how physical activity (including exercise) affects health. Students learn about its importance across different age groups and how physical activity can be utilized in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of diseases and health conditions.

Knowledge

The student has knowledge of:

• Important terms in physical activity and health
• How knowledge about the relationship between physical activity and health is developed
• Recommendations for physical activity for different age groups
• The status of physical activity and physical fitness in the population
• The relationship between physical activity and various diseases
• How physical activity influences risk factors for disease
• The effects of physical activity in treatment and rehabilitation
• Adverse effects of physical activity, including sports injuries
• Important settings for physical activity

Skills

The student can:

• Describe how physical activity can be adapted to prevent, treat, and support the rehabilitation of various diseases and conditions
• Reflect on the evidence base for physical activity in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation

General Competence

The student can:

• Communicate knowledge about physical activity and health to professionals and other individuals in an understandable manner

The course has lectures throughout the whole semester. Up to 42 hours lectures/exercises/group work. The course is taught mainly in Norwegian, a few lectures might be given in English.