SPS4064 Physiology of Exercise Assignment Brief 2026 | Regent College London

SPS4064 Physiology of Exercise Assignment Brief 2026 | Regent College London

SPS4064 Assignment Brief

Module Name: Physiology of Exercise

Module Number: SPS4064

Module Level: Level 4

Learning Outcome

LO1 – Examine the response of physiological systems to exercise

LO2 – Identify the control and regulation mechanisms of physiological systems

LO3 – Interpret and collate relevant information which integrates each physiological system

LO4 – Demonstrate competence in laboratory skills

LO5 – Collect, analyse and interpret physiological data

LO6 – Communicate ideas on paper in a fluent and articulate manner

LO7 – Develop knowledge through guided self-direction

Case Study (1800 words)

A case study scenario is presented in the next section. You must read through the case study and then answer the four questions. The information presented in the lectures and practical classes will help you to partially answer these questions. However, you will be able to answer more comprehensively if you reference the recommended text books and perform your own literature searches for relevant journal articles. It is therefore necessary to show evidence of your reading by referencing research in your responses and providing a reference list. Each question is worth a specific number of marks (see below), so please ensure that your responses reflect the relative weighting of the question. As this is a substantive assessment, you must achieve at least 30% (30 out of 100 marks), alongside a mark of 40% for the overall module to pass.

Submit completed work as a word document, please include each question followed by the answer (questions do not count as part of the word count).

Word count: 

The assessment for this module has a total word limit of 3000. You have 80 multiple choice questions (~1200 words) and a 1800 word case study question. Smaller word counts encourage you to be selective about the information you include and to write concisely. You are expected to keep within + 10% of this word limit otherwise your mark may be penalised as shown below:

No penalty for up to 10% above word limit

Penalty of 10% of final mark if 10-25% above word limit

Fail if more than 25% above or if word count not indicated on assignment

Case study – Physiological responses in marathon running; a study in regulation, control and homeostasis during exercise. (1800 words)

Instructions

You are a junior sports physiologist, working as part of a team in a laboratory that provides sports science support to athletes. A marathon runner has come to the lab to speak to the head of sports physiology. In general, the athlete wants to know more about what happens to his body when he is competing as he struggles in the final stages of race. By understanding a little more about the physiological responses, he is hoping this will help him develop his training. The head physiologist interviews him to find out more and, afterwards, distributes questions to the rest of the team.

Specifically, the head physiologist asks you the following questions, which you need to answer as scientifically as possible. You should use references (books and journal articles) to support your answers: to help with the question a brief synopsis of event is provided.

Background

Competitive marathon running is an endurance event that is physically demanding and requires the runner to sustain an almost constant effort throughout the duration of the event (e.g. ~2:03-2:20; elite males). The marathon requires significant contribution from the aerobic energy systems to fully realize optimal performance. Just as importantly, all physiological systems need to be controlled and regulated so that they function in a coordinated way, they will be in what might be called a ‘steady state’ condition for large periods of the race and homeostasis will be challenged as they [physiological systems] continually adapt to new physiological stresses throughout the race.

Now answer the questions on the next page:

Assessment Questions (1800 words)

At the start

At the start line your heart rate, breathing frequency and ventilation have all increased, what is responsible for raising these before you start the race and describe how it is controlled? (21 + 4 marks)

One mile in

What changes in your muscles promote greater oxygen diffusion and therefore greater oxygen uptake? (21 + 4 marks)

Halfway mark

Explain the causes of cardiac drift and discus how cardiac drift may impact performance? (21 + 4 marks)

The finish

Discuss the likely mechanisms of fatigue that can occur during this event? (21 + 4 marks)

Case Study (60%) Rubric

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