LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the course is to treat the pathophysiological basis of the endocrine system with particular regard to the role of hormones in the processes of adaptation to physical activity and the effects of the use of hormones in doping. The course will also deal with physiopathology and clinical elements of the most frequently encountered endocrine-metabolic diseases and their repercussions on physical performance as well as the role of physical exercise in their management in terms of benefits and contraindications.
EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course the student must have acquired theoretical knowledge and skills that allow the understanding of the functions of the endocrine system and the role of hormones in the adaptive response to motor activity in healthy subjects and in patients affected by endocrine and metabolic diseases.
The student must know:
- the biological effects of hormones and their role in the maintenance of body homeostasis and in adaptation to physical exercise;
- hormonal responses to physical exercise in relation to intensity, type and duration as well as to the age, gender and training conditions of the practitioner
-the endocrine function modifications induced by physical exercise with particular regard to the hypothalamus-hypophysis-gonadal axis and to the hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenal axis
- the role of physical activity and exercise in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, the implications of diabetes in exercise adaptation;
- the consequences of the most common endocrine dysfunctions on physical performance;
- hormonal doping the consequences on physical performance and on the state of health.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to describe the biological actions of the various hormones and to predict the response to physical exercise in physiological conditions and in subjects suffering from endocrine-metabolic pathologies and to identify the benefits and risks of exercise in selected populations.
Autonomy of judgment
The student must have acquired the necessary knowledge to allow him / her to describe autonomously the mechanisms underlying the functions of the endocrine system and its relations with the motor activity,
Communication skills
The student must demonstrate correct and timely use of specialized terminology when he exposes endocrine content and the ability to expose, even to non-expert subjects, the role of physical activity in the prevention of metabolic diseases as well as the effects of improper use of substances hormones for doping purposes.
Learning skills
The student will have to develop learning skills and apply them in the future disciplines of the course, will have to develop updating skills with the consultation of scientific publications specific to the sector; ability to follow second-level masters, and specialized seminars in the field of endocrinology of exercise.