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Presentation
Presentation
This curricular unit approaches human ageing as a heterogeneous, multidimensional and context-dependent process with consequences for health, functional capacity, autonomy and participation. It integrates demography, physiological and psychosocial processes, sarcopenia, frailty, falls, multimorbidity, medication, safety, functional assessment, the benefits of exercise, and principles of exercise prescription and adaptation. Emphasis is placed on the critical interpretation of evidence and relevant data, case-based reasoning, and the justification of exercise and health intervention decisions for older adults.
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Class from course
Class from course
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Degree | Semesters | ECTS
Degree | Semesters | ECTS
Master Degree | Semestral | 3
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Year | Nature | Language
Year | Nature | Language
1 | Optional | Português
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Code
Code
ULHT792-1-9555
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Prerequisites and corequisites
Prerequisites and corequisites
Not applicable
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Professional Internship
Professional Internship
Não
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Syllabus
Syllabus
Analyse the demography and context of ageing in Portugal and worldwide, considering longevity, healthy life expectancy, heterogeneity and ageism. Understand theories and processes of ageing, with emphasis on biological changes relevant to exercise. Explore psychosocial and contextual dimensions, as well as sarcopenia, frailty, functional ability, autonomy, falls, mobility, multimorbidity, medication and safety. Evaluate the benefits, limitations and recommendations for physical activity and exercise. Select, prescribe and adapt interventions, interpret functional data, and promote adherence, integration and evidence-based professional decision-making.
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Objectives
Objectives
Analyse demographic trends and the biological, functional, psychosocial and contextual determinants of ageing, recognising the heterogeneity of older adults. Integrate age-related changes with the concepts of intrinsic capacity, functional ability, frailty, autonomy, participation and quality of life. Critically appraise the scientific evidence on physical activity, exercise and ageing. Select, apply and interpret functional assessments of aerobic fitness, strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, balance, mobility and fall risk. Identify risks, warning signs, multimorbidity, medication, contraindications and the need for adaptation, while respecting professional limits of competence. Design and adapt exercise interventions, including multicomponent training, based on evidence, assessment and the individual's goals. Communicate decisions with rigour, clarity and critical thinking.
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Teaching methodologies
Teaching methodologies
The teaching and learning process is organised around guided preparation, active participation, application and feedback. Before each class, Moodle provides reference texts, guidelines, scientific position statements or relevant articles, together with guiding questions and, where appropriate, brief cases. The lecturer gives a short framing of the essential concepts without replacing prior study. In class, the approach promotes continuous oral assessment, distributed discussion, case- and problem-based learning, and critical literature review. The process also includes formative feedback, transparent criteria and an authentic written assessment focused on interpretation, decision-making and the justification of interventions.
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References
References
American College of Sports Medicine. (2025). ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription (12th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Thompson, W. R. (Ed.). (2024). ACSM's clinical exercise physiology (2nd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015128
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Assessment
Assessment
Frequência escrita
40%
Respostas individuais a questões de conhecimento, compreensão, interpretação e aplicação.
Trabalho de revisão/síntese crítica da literatura
40%
Submissão técnica curta, apresentação oral e discussão.
Avaliação oral contínua de preparação e aplicação dos conteúdos
20%
Respostas orais e questões de seguimento ao longo do semestre.
A frequência avalia conhecimento, compreensão, interpretação e aplicação. Pode combinar perguntas de desenvolvimento, resposta curta, interpretação de dados, mini-casos e propostas justificadas de intervenção.
O trabalho inclui: (i) submissão técnica curta no Moodle; (ii) apresentação oral; e (iii) discussão oral com questões colocadas pelo docente.
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Mobility
Mobility
No
