Module JXH-3076:
Performing in Extreme Environments

Module Facts

Run by School of Human and Behavioural Sciences

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Overall aims and purpose

This module explores how environmental stress, such as high mountains and hot deserts, affects the human body to have negative and positive effects on health and performance.

Course content

During the module, you will develop an understanding of how various environmental stressors (hot, cold, altitude) influence resting and exercising physiological responses, exercise performance, the immune system, illness, and injury of active persons such as athletes, explorers, and armed and emergency service personnel.

Based on our experiences working with sports and industry (e.g., Sport Wales, the Army, Outlook Expeditions, Blizzard Survival), you will learn about evidence-based practical strategies that can improve performance and health of those performing in extreme environments. We will also reveal how an understanding of environmental physiology might be harnessed to improve the health of the general population.

You will also have the opportunity during this module to advance your critical analysis, problem-solving, and communication skills as we support you in lectures and seminars to create a poster that appraises the environment's effect on human performance and health, and a concise written report that proposes a practical strategy to improve performance and health in extreme environments.

Application of these strategies and skills could help aid your own and others' performance and health!

Assessment Criteria

threshold

Most specific poster and report assessment criteria are met to an adequate standard; although there may be a wide range in the quality of different components. The rationale for the poster and report content is unclear. A basic knowledge of the chosen topic is shown only. There are minor errors in physiological understanding. Content is largely descriptive and occasionally referenced but relies upon references from lectures and secondary sources (reviews and books). There is limited development of argument. Key message/conclusions are mostly clear. Structure and formatting is adequate only, meaning the communication of poster/report content is not always clear to the assessor (e.g. limited structure, poor use of figures, colour, font, and including some grammatical and typographical errors).

excellent

Most specific poster and report assessment criteria are met to an excellent standard; although there may be a wide range in the quality of different components. The rationale for the poster/report content is clear. Content is detailed and up-to-date knowledge of the chosen topic area is shown. Detailed understanding, as evidenced by good critical analysis and clarity of argument. Original thought and/or ideas are evident. Statements are well referenced with primary and up-to-date sources. No errors in physiological understanding. Key messages/conclusions are very clear. Excellent structure and formatting that enhances the communication of poster/report content (e.g. well structured, excellent balance of text and figures, and choice of colour and font, there is clear evidence of thorough proof-reading with almost no formatting, typographical or grammatical errors).

good

Most specific poster and report assessment criteria are met to a good standard; although there may be a wide range in the quality of different components. The rationale for poster/report content is clear. There is good coverage, knowledge and understanding of the chosen topic shown. Statements are referenced with pertinent literature and there is evidence of independent thought that extends beyond lecture materials. Very minor errors only in physiological understanding. Key messages/conclusions are clear. Good structure and formatting that supports clear communication of poster/report content (e.g. poster and report is well-structured, figures, colour and font are effectively used, and there are very few typographical or grammatical errors).

Learning outcomes

  1. appraise the environment's effect on human performance and health

  2. critique and select an evidence-based practical strategy to optimise human performance and health in extreme environments

  3. apply knowledge of the human body to examine how it adapts to environmental stress to influence exercise performance and health

  4. research and develop a written report that proposes an evidence-based practical strategy to improve human performance and health

Assessment Methods

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Lecture

You will receive lectures that broadly review the health and performance effects of extreme environments. These lectures will also help you to prepare for the poster and written report assessments, including the opportunity to receive feedback from peers and ask questions to staff.

 16
Private study

You are expected to devote 80 hours of guided independent study. Independent study includes individual research and reading time, peer discussion, and assessment preparation.

 80
Practical classes and workshops

You will have 2 practical classes. During these sessions, you will examine the acute physiological responses to environmental stress.

 4

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Subject specific skills

  • research and assess paradigms, theories, principles, concepts and factual information, and apply such skills in explaining and solving problems
  • describe, synthesise, interpret, analyse and evaluate information and data relevant to a professional or vocational context
  • apply knowledge to the solution of familiar and unfamiliar problems
  • demonstrate effective written and/or oral communication and presentation skills
  • communicate succinctly at a level appropriate to different audiences.
  • develop justifiable and/or evidence-based interventions

Resources

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/jxh-3076.html

Reading list

Individual readings for each lecture are suggested.

The following textbooks are useful for this module, some of which are available in our library and free to read online: • Armstrong, L.E. (2000). Performing in Extreme Environments. Champaign IL: Human Kinetics. • Cheung S.S. & Ainslie P.A. (2021). Advanced Environmental Exercise Physiology, 2nd edition. Champaign IL: Human Kinetics. • Luks, A.M et al., (2021). Ward, Milledge and West's High Altitude Medicine & Physiology, 6th edition. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Courses including this module