Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - BPK 421 D100

Selected Topics in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology II (3)

Clinical Exercise Physiology

Class Number: 7015

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 15, 2025
    Mon, 12:00–2:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    To be announced in the Undergraduate Schedule of Classes and Examinations found at go.sfu.ca.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Selected topics in areas not currently offered as formal courses within the undergraduate course offerings in the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology. The topics in this course will vary from term to term, depending on faculty availability and student interest.

COURSE DETAILS:

The relationship between exercise and its impact on chronic disease mitigation and management. Topics include exercise testing, exercise programming, pharmacology, and the relationship between exercise and disease for a variety of common chronic diseases and conditions.

Prerequisites: BPK 310, BPK 343

Recommended: BPK 340, BPK 305

Number of weeks: 13

Tutorial/Lab hours per week: 2

Lecture hours per week: 2

Tutorials: Mondays in K8605: 9:30-10:30 or 1030-11:30
Lectures: Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 (location TBD).

Mondays will take place in K8605. This session may be either a traditional lecture, a case study discussion, or a lab with a hands-on component. This course will require participation in health screenings and exercise testing.

Week Tutorial/ Lab topics Lecture topics

Readings

Quizzes/exams

 Assignments
1

Sept 1 & 2

 No classes

 

      
2

Sept 8 & 9

 Tutorial 1: Introduction & CEP scope of practice + Pre-participation screening Lecture 1:Graded exercise testing -CSEP CEP scope of practice;
-Legal Case Ehrman
-CSEP-PATH -section 4 ASK
-Treadmill stress testing: Vilcant & Zeltser, 2023		  

Canvas survey due
(Demographics and expectations)
3

Sept 15 & 16

Lab 2: GXT & CPET lab 1

Lecture 2: Healthy CPET Interpretation & exercise prescription

 -CSEP PATH – section 4 ASSESS

-Exercise thresholds: Keir et al. 2022		  

Canvas survey due Assignment 1 available
4

Sept 22 & 23

Tutorial 3: ECG interpretation

 Lecture 3: Diseases of cardiovascular system -ABC’s of clinical ECG: Hill & Timmins, 2002    
5

Sept 29 & 30

 Lab 4: CV CPET lab (with ECG) No class – national day for truth and reconciliation -Exercise standards for testing and training -AHA, 2001    
6

Oct 6 & 7

 Tutorial 5: General Pharmacology Lecture 4: Diseases of the cardiovascular system part 2 + some respiratory diseases     Assignment 1 due, Assignment 2 available
7

Oct 13 & 14



 No Lab - Thanksgiving Lecture 5: Diseases of respiratory system -Cardiopulmonary exercise testing- Chambers & Wisely    
8

Oct 20 & 21

Lab 6: RESP CPET lab

Midterm in class

   Test 1 Canvas survey 2 available (reflection)
9

Oct 27 & 28

Tutorial 7: Case study discussion (Cardioresp + ECG)

Lecture 6: Endocrine system and metabolic disorders

 -Exercise and Diet, Gaesser et al. 2011  

Canvas survey due Assignment 2 due Assignment 3 available

10

Nov 3 & 4

 

Tutorial 8: Case study discussion (endocrine)

Lecture 7: Cancer

    

Assignment 3 available

11

Nov 10 & 11

 Tutorial 9: Case study discussion (cancer) No class (Remembrance Day)      

12

 Nov 17 & 18

 Lecture 8: Neuromuscular (SCI) Lecture 9: Neuromuscular (MS/PD)     Canvas survey (final reflection)

13

Nov 24 & 25

 Tutorial 10: Case study discussion (neuromuscular

Lecture 10: Possible guest lecture CEP or comorbidities and complex conditions

     Canvas survey due Assignment 3 due

14

Dec 1 & 2

 

 Tutorial 10: Case study discussion (comorbidities and complex conditions)

Final exam review

     Final exam in exam period

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  1. Perform pre-participation screening and medical history interviews to correctly identify contraindications to exercise, decide whether the individual requires medical evaluation prior to exercise, and communicate to the patient any health risks of exercise. (E,R,A)
  2. Administer health and fitness assessments including resting and exercising blood pressure, heart rate, ECG, body mass, waist circumference, maximal graded exercise tests, and cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET). Data collected from these assessments will be used in assignments; therefore, high-quality data collection is required. (E,R,A)
  3. Analyze CPET data collected in lab or provided by the instructor for diagnostic and training prescription purposes, including identifying pathological signs in response to incremental exercise, and estimating physiological thresholds and exercise intensity domains the underlying mechanisms that are involved in these abnormal responses. (E,R,A)
  4. Adjust exercise tests and prescriptions for individuals with contraindications, limitations, and medications. (E,R)
  5. Prescribe safe and effective exercise training programs for individuals with disease that integrate case study information, exercise/medical testing data, and concepts of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and exercise physiology. (E,R)
  6. Explain the etiology and mechanisms of disease pathophysiology, signs, symptoms and potential adverse events and how associated treatments, management strategies and/or interventions will affect these characteristics. This should be explained both using medical terminology that a healthcare professional can understand, and in a way that the patient will understand.  (I,E)
  7. Explain the principles of pharmacology and the therapeutic and nontherapeutic effects of medication in key chronic conditions, including their effects on physiological responses to exercise, functional capacity, and other health components (e.g., recovery, weight management, mental health). This should be explained both using medical terminology that a healthcare professional can understand, and in a way that the patient will understand.  (I,E)
  8. Appraise and implement into practice research-based evidence and current recommendations for physical activity, exercise prescription, and training for key chronic conditions. (E,R)

 

Level of Content Delivery

(I) INTRODUCES- Students are not expected to be familiar with the content or skill at the collegiate or graduate level. Instruction and learning activities focus on basic knowledge, skills, and/or competencies and an entry-level complexity.

(E) EMPHASIZES- Students are expected to possess a basic knowledge and familiarity with the content or skills at the collegiate or graduate level. Instruction and learning concentrates on enhancing and strengthening knowledge, skills, and expanding complexity.

(R) REINFORCES- Students are expected to possess a strong foundation in the knowledge, skill, or competency at the collegiate or graduate level. Instructional and learning activities continue to build upon previous competencies and increased complexity.

(A) APPLIES- Students are expected to possess an advanced level of knowledge, skill, or competency at the collegiate or graduate level. Instructional and learning activities focus on the use of the content or skills in multiple contexts and at multiple levels of complexity.

 

 

Grading

  • Assignments (3x15%) 45%
  • Tutorial participation 5%
  • Reflection surveys (3x1.67%) 5%
  • Midterm exam 20%
  • Final exam 25%

NOTES:

Participation does not mean attendance. Attendance in labs/tutorials is mandatory, but for full tutorial marks students must participate in lab activities and discussions. There will be no audio or video recordings of this class, as it is a hands-on class

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

The following textbooks have been placed on reserve in the Bennett Library. Much of the material presented in the lecture slides will be drawn from these textbooks.

CSEP PATH: Physical Activity Training for Health (3rd ed).

Ehrman, J. L., Gordon, P.M., Visich, P. S., & Keteyian, S. J. (2023). Clinical Exercise Physiology: Exercise Management for Chronic Diseases and Special Populations (5th Ed.). Human Kinetics, Champagne, IL, USA.

 

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

It is the responsibility of the student to keep their BPK course outlines if they plan on furthering their education.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.