Exercise for individuals with chronic diseases

Course Information
TitleΆσκηση σε άτομα με χρόνιες παθήσεις / Exercise for individuals with chronic diseases
CodeΙΑ2900
FacultyPhysical Education and Sport Science
SchoolPhysical Education and Sport Science (Serres)
Cycle / Level1st / Undergraduate
Teaching PeriodWinter/Spring
CommonNo
StatusActive
Course ID260000580

Programme of Study: UPS of School of Physical Education and Sports Science in Serres (2014)

Registered students: 46
OrientationAttendance TypeSemesterYearECTS
KORMOSDESMĪWinter/Spring-4
Class Information
Academic Year2025 – 2026
Class PeriodSpring
Faculty Instructors
Weekly Hours2
Total Hours26
Class ID
600292878
SectionInstructors
1. ΦΟΙΤΗΤΕΣ ΠΑΛΑΙΟΤΕΡΩΝ ΕΤΩΝ (μόνο για εξετάσεις)Konstantina Dipla
2. Τμήμα ενεργών φοιτητώνKonstantina Dipla
EPIChallenges
  • Global Health
Type Of Offer
  • Disciplinary Course
Course Type 2021
Specific Foundation
Course Type 2016-2020
  • Background
  • Scientific Area
Course Type 2011-2015
Knowledge Deepening / Consolidation
Mode of Delivery
  • Face to face
Digital Course Content
Language of Instruction
  • Greek (Instruction, Examination)
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire: Knowledge: Students will: 1. Understand fundamental aspects of the pathophysiology of various chronic conditions, such as Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Gestational Diabetes, Pulmonary Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Hypertension. 2. Recognize the physiological adaptations of body systems to exercise in individuals with chronic diseases. 3. Develop an in-depth understanding of the specific considerations required when designing individualized exercise programs for people with chronic conditions, as opposed to the general population. Skills: Students will be able to: 1. Analyze data to evaluate exercise capacity in individuals with chronic conditions. 2. Design exercise programs for the primary and secondary prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of the aforementioned chronic diseases. 3. Present the goals of an exercise program clearly and with appropriate scientific justification. Competencies: Upon successful course completion, students will be capable of: 1. Critically evaluating maximal and submaximal exercise tests, such as Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), as well as functional tests like the Sit-to-Stand test. 2. Selecting the most appropriate test based on the specific condition, the individual's functional status, and the stage of rehabilitation. 3. Collaborating effectively within interdisciplinary healthcare teams, including physicians, dietitians, etc, for the implementation and monitoring of exercise programs tailored to individuals with chronic diseases.
General Competences
  • Apply knowledge in practice
  • Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
  • Adapt to new situations
  • Make decisions
  • Work autonomously
  • Work in teams
  • Work in an international context
  • Work in an interdisciplinary team
  • Generate new research ideas
  • Design and manage projects
  • Appreciate diversity and multiculturality
  • Demonstrate social, professional and ethical commitment and sensitivity to gender issues
  • Be critical and self-critical
  • Advance free, creative and causative thinking
Course Content (Syllabus)
Purpose and course description The purpose of the course is to equip students with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the safe and effective design and implementation of exercise programs for individuals with chronic conditions. The course combines theoretical approaches with practical applications, aiming to help students understand the physiological and pathophysiological effects of chronic diseases on human movement and functional capacity during exercise. Students will study the basic mechanisms through which exercise can function both preventively (primary and secondary prevention) and therapeutically, enhancing the overall health and quality of life of patients. Special emphasis is placed on developing the ability to design personalized exercise programs, taking into account the specific needs, capabilities, and limitations of each individual with a chronic condition. Detailed Course Content and Alignment of Learning Outcomes with Teaching Units Week Content Learning Outcomes Week 1 Introduction to exercise in individuals with chronic conditions. Maximal and submaximal exercise testing in chronic disease populations. Understand the theoretical foundation of exercise as a means of prevention and treatment of chronic diseases (Knowledge). Develop skills in assessing aerobic exercise capacity (Competency). Week 2 Functional capacity assessments in individuals with chronic conditions. Develop skills in evaluating functional capacity, mobility, and strength (Competency). Week 3 Exercise in individuals with diabetes: pathophysiology, exercise as a preventive tool. Understand the theoretical foundation of exercise as a preventive strategy for diabetes (Knowledge). Week 4 Exercise in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: acute and chronic adaptations; program design. Understand the specific exercise-related considerations for type 1 and type 2 diabetes (Knowledge). Develop skills in assessment and exercise program design for individuals with diabetes (Competency - Skill). Week 5 Exercise in individuals with hypertension: pathophysiology, preventive role of exercise, acute and chronic adaptations. Understand the theoretical basis of exercise as a preventive measure and the specific exercise needs of individuals with hypertension (Knowledge). Week 6 Program design for individuals with hypertension. Develop skills in assessment and design of exercise programs for hypertension (Competency - Skill). Week 7 Exercise in individuals with pulmonary diseases: pathophysiology, role of exercise in prevention. Understand the theoretical basis of exercise as a therapeutic tool in chronic respiratory diseases (Knowledge). Week 8 Exercise in COPD and interstitial lung diseases: acute and chronic adaptations; exercise program design. Understand exercise-specific considerations in respiratory diseases (Knowledge). Develop skills in assessment and program design for COPD and interstitial lung diseases (Competency - Skill). Week 9 Exercise during pregnancy and gestational diabetes: pathophysiology, role of exercise in prevention and treatment; program design. Understand the special considerations for exercise during pregnancy and gestational diabetes (Knowledge). Develop skills in assessment and exercise program design in these populations (Competency - Skill). Week 10 Exercise in individuals with cardiovascular disease: pathophysiology, adaptations to exercise; program design. Understand pathophysiology and exercise-specific needs in cardiovascular diseases (Knowledge). Develop skills in assessment and program design for cardiac patients (Competency - Skill). Week 11 Group presentations (5 students per group) – case study. Apply program design principles in a case study context (Competency – Skill). Week 12 Group presentations – case study; review of learning outcomes. Apply program design principles in a case study context (Competency – Skill). Week 13 Final examination. Final computer-based assessment evaluating knowledge, competency, and skill acquisition.
Keywords
diabetes and exercise, cardiovascular rehabilitation, hypertension and exercise, pulmonary rehabilitation
Educational Material Types
  • Slide presentations
  • Book
  • research papers
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
  • Use of ICT in Course Teaching
Course Organization
ActivitiesWorkloadECTSIndividualTeamworkErasmus
Lectures602.3✓
Laboratory Work80.3✓✓
Reading Assigment240.9✓✓
exercise prescritpion case study120.5✓
Total1044
Student Assessment
Description
Assessment Policy and Tools Student evaluation will be based on both formative and summative assessments, structured to ensure comprehensive achievement of the course's learning outcomes. The assessment methods include: 1. Written Assignment (10%): A case study analysis involving interpretation of cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) data and results from the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). 2. Oral Presentation (5%): Group presentation (5 students per group) using PowerPoint, focused on the design of an individualized exercise program based on a case study. 3. Final Written Examination (85%): Conducted online via the e-learning platform, comprising: i. Multiple-choice questions (45% of final grade), ii. Short-answer questions covering the entire syllabus (40% of final grade). The weight of each question in the final exam is clearly indicated on the exam paper. Note: To pass the course, students must achieve at least 50% in each individual assessment component. Assessment criteria are provided in writing at the beginning of the semester, and the course content is posted both online and in the department's study guide. During the semester, students will also have the opportunity to self-assess their knowledge and understanding using sample exam questions. A detailed explanation of the final exam format is given in Assignments, Grade Distribution & Deadlines both the first and last class sessions. Assignment Grade Weight Deadline Written Assignment (Case study with analysis of CPET and 6-minute walk test data) 10% Mid-semester Oral Case Study Presentation 5% Last week of classes Written Multiple-Choice Exam (Part I) 45% Exam week Written Short-Answer Exam (Part II) 40% Exam week Total 100% Evaluation Criteria for the 1st Written Assignment (Includes a case study with assessment of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and 6-minute walk test data) Criterion Description Score Understanding of test theory Recognizes the purpose and physiological indicators of each test 0–5 Accuracy of selection of walking duration and speed based on the 6-minute test Selects appropriate intensity/duration in the test based on fitness level and goal 0–5 Total 10 Evaluation Criteria for Oral Assignment on Exercise Program Application Criterion Description Score Commentary on case/participant data Clear description of physiological and non-physiological parameters 0–2 Design and organization of aerobic exercise program Design of aerobic exercise program with clear goal, structure, and alternatives 0–3 Design and organization of muscle strengthening exercise program Design of muscle strengthening program with clear goal, structure, and alternatives 0–3 Progression of exercise program workload Justification of choices based on official guidelines (ACSM, ESC, GOLD) 0–2 Total 10
Student Assessment methods
  • Written Exam with Multiple Choice Questions (Formative, Summative)
  • Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Formative, Summative)
  • Written Assignment (Formative)
  • Performance / Staging (Summative)
  • Written Exam with Problem Solving (Formative)
Bibliography
Course Bibliography (Eudoxus)
1. Η άσκηση ως θεραπεία. Δεληγιάννης Αστέριος, Κουϊδή Ευαγγελία. University Studio Press 201; ISBN 978-960-12-2446-6 2. ΑΣΚΗΣΗ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΥΓΕΙΑ Βασίλειος Γεροδήμος, Κωνσταντίνα Καρατράντου, ISBN: 978-960-608-051-7 Κωδικός Βιβλίου στον Εύδοξο: 102072029 Εκδ. ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΑΡΑΣ Ιαν-21 Αθήνα 3. ACSM αξιολόγηση σχεδιασμός προγραμμάτων άσκησης 9η έκδοση (Επιμελητής Ι. Βράμπας, Ν Γελαδάς, Α Τζιαμούρτας, Ι Φατούρος) 2017; ISBN 978-996-3716-852 4. Άσκηση και χρόνιες παθήσεις, Τοκμακίδης Σάββας, Παναγιώτης Κ.ΕΚΔΟΣΕΙΣ ΠΑΣΧΑΛΙΔΗΣ/BROKEN HILL PUBLISHERS LTD; ISBN 978-960-399-0796 (1. Exercise as therapy. Deligiannis A, Kouidi E. University Studio Press 2021; ISBN 978-960-12-2446-6 2. ACSM exercise testing and prescription 9th 2017; ISBN 978-996-3716-852 3. Exercise and chronic disease, Tokmakidis s, Publisher Pasxalidis/BROKEN HILL PUBLISHERS LTD; ISBN 978-960-399-07964. 4. Current research articles suggested by the course instructor)
Additional bibliography for study
Πρόσφατα ερευνητικά άρθρα (δίδεται στους φοιτητές η σχετική βιβλιογραφία) . Σημειώσεις από slides του μαθήματος (e-learning.auth.gr). Current research articles suggested by the course instructor. Course slides (provided in e-learning.auth.gr)
Last Update
16-06-2025