General Information
| Course Code | B_INTNP |
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| Credits | 6 EC |
| Period | P1 |
| Course Level | 400 |
| Language of Tuition | English |
| Faculty | Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sc. |
| Course Coordinator | dr. C.J. de Ruiter |
| Examiner | dr. C.J. de Ruiter |
| Teaching Staff |
dr. C.J. de Ruiter dr. R.P. Goulding |
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Part of programme(s)
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Practical Information
You need to register for this course yourself. The (de)registration deadlines can be found on VU.nl
The maximum number of students for this course is 110.
| Teaching Methods | Study Group |
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Course Objective
After successful completion of the course, students can:
1. Analyse and explain how muscle contractile properties and neuromuscular activation patterns interact to influence power production at the single-fibre, muscle, and whole-body levels. 2. Explain how convective oxygen transport, oxygen diffusion, and mitochondrial oxidative capacity jointly determine sustainable power output. 3.Analyse and interpret how fatigue, muscle energetics, and metabolite accumulation affect power production dynamics during exercise. 4. Explain how some of the most crucial methods can be used to gain insight into fundamental aspects of neuromuscular power production.
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Course Content
This course provides the essential scientific
foundation for the second and third courses in the sequence. It introduces the
fundamental principles necessary for understanding advanced concepts addressed
later in the program. A solid grasp of the material covered in this course is
therefore crucial for successful progression within the curriculum.
Human movement emerges from the dynamic
interplay between muscle cell mechanics (such as cross-bridge cycling), neural
activation (controlling fibre recruitment and contraction speed), and cellular
bioenergetics (sustaining force and power). These processes are supported by
the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, which deliver oxygen and remove
metabolic by-products. Performance is shaped by the continuous interaction of
contractile mechanics, neuromuscular control, energetics, oxygen transport, and
fatigue, with both maximal instantaneous power and sustainable long-duration
power governed by distinct yet overlapping mechanisms. Mastering these
principles is essential for advancing research and applying evidence-based
practices in sports, rehabilitation, and health, ultimately enhancing athletic
performance, rehabilitation, healthy aging, and disease prevention.
Additional Information Teaching Methods
Slidecast presentations
Plenary work group meetings
Method of Assessment
Written examination consisting of open-ended questions
Entry Requirements
Registration in specialisation Physiology of Human Performance and Health
Additional Information Target Audience
This course is connected to the learning trajectories:
Theory of Human Movement Sciences
Academic and Research Skills