Exercise Physiology & Its Application in Therapy

Graduates of this course will also be eligible for accreditation and registration offered by REPs Ireland and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).



This unique course will enable students to:

Develop knowledge of exercise physiology and evaluation of fitness.

Learn to plan and provide an exercise programme to healthy clients and as therapy in certain clinical settings.

Obtain professional recognition from REPs Ireland/ACSM.

Pursue a career as an exercise specialist/therapist.



In this course, students will develop an advanced knowledge of exercise physiology including a full understanding of physiological processes and changes that occur during different types of exercise. Students will understand how these changes are beneficial to general health and fitness. Students will have a clear understanding of exercise testing and prescription in health and in certain chronic disease settings. Topics featured in the lecture series include nerve-muscle physiology, cardiorespiratory physiology, kinesiology, integrated physiological responses to exercise and methods of evaluation, metabolism and nutrition in exercise, scientific principles of exercise prescription, methods of physiological assessment during exercise in healthy and clinical populations. Students will gain hands on experience in conducting exercise tests and physiological assessment of fitness. Semester 1–2 will be taught through lectures. Blended learning: All modules (1–6) will also be available online via podcasts and will be delivered via the medium of blackboard collaborate ultra virtual classrooms. (This will ensure that international students need to travel to University of Galway only for four months Mid May-August. They can then be accommodated in the empty student houses in the Corrib Village at a reduced cost.) Online students will engage with pre-recorded lectures on blackboard weekly. To support engagement, discussion and interaction, these lectures will be followed by a online meeting with the course director via ultra collaborate.



On successful completion of Semester 1—2 students will be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma (as an exit route).



Accreditation opportunities

Students will also be eligible for accreditation and registration offered by REPs Ireland and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Required ET1506: Research Project and Dissertation

Required ET1515: Neurophysiology and Exercise

Required ET1516: Metabolism and Nutrition in Exercise

Required ET1500: Introduction to Exercise Physiology

Required ET1501: Integrated Physiological Responses to Exercise

Required ET1505: Laboratory Methods in Exercise Physiology

Required ET1503: Physiologic Evaluation of Exercise and Fitness

Required ET1504: Exercise in Population Health and Exercise as Therapy

Optional RPL030: Recognised Prior Learning

Optional RPL025: Recognised Prior Learning

Optional RPL020: Recognised Prior Learning

Optional RPL010: Recognised Prior Learning

Optional RPL005: Recognised Prior Learning

Optional ET1507: Personal Training and Gym Instruction

Optional ET1511: Research Methods for Physiotherapists and Healthcare Professionals

Optional ET1512: Community Engaged Learning and Outreach

Students must have completed BSc (NFQ Level 8) in Physiology, Biomedical Science, Un-denominated Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Exercise Science, Nursing and Health Science, Physiotherapy, Podiatry or any other relevant biology or medical science area with at least a 2nd class honours, or equivalent. (Students who have received a BSc Honours qualification or equivalent will be given preference in the shortlisting process.) Adult learners seeking additional qualifications are also welcome. Work experience in the relevant area will be an advantage.



This course is suitable for students interested in a career in exercise prescription and graduates upon completion of this course will be eligible to register with REPs Ireland and American Association of Personal Trainers (AAPT).



For applicants where English is a second language, we will adhere to university guidelines of requiring IELTS scores of 6.5, TOEFL scores of 88 and/or Pearson PTE scores of 61 with no less than 6.5 in any component.

Closing Date

Please view the offer rounds website at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/postgrad-admissions/key-dates/



Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

1 year, full-time;

2 years, part-time (limited places).

Next start date September 2024

Closing Date Offers are made on a rolling basis.

Career Opportunities

With the increasing number of people living with chronic illnesses the demand for exercise physiologists capable of giving personal exercise advice that can improve the living standards of an individual is growing. Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to work in areas such as:

Health clubs and related organizations

Public sports and recreation facilities

Local public health authorities

Schools, further education, and higher education institutions

The course is designed to fulfill all the requirements for the EHFA and REPs Ireland accreditation. Students will be assisted in their application for registration with REPS Ireland and American College of Sports Medicine.



Graduates will also be eligible to pursue research PhD programmes in Sport and Exercise Science and related areas in the Discipline of Physiology, University of Galway.