Study Guide

Objective

The student is able to
• explain the means of physiotherapeutic examination and the factors affecting their reliable use,
• explain the phenomena of muscle strength, aerobic condition, flexibility and elasticity,
• name factors affecting on muscle strength, aerobic condition, flexibility and elasticity,
• examine muscle strength, aerobic condition and elasticity reliably from the health point of view as well as draw up conclusions and form goals based on examination,
• apply the principles of exercising muscle strength, aerobic condition and elasticity for promoting well-being and health taking into account clients’ resources,
• indentify the significance of client’s recovery as a part of exercising health related condition.

Content

Examination and documentation in physiotherapy: observation, interviewing, palpation and measurement, principles of reliable measurement and testing, factors affecting realibility

Muscle strength and its subareas, the principles of measuring and exercising muscle strength, RM, the principles of measuring and exercising muscle elasticity, the principles of measuring and exercising aerobic condition.

Teaching methods

Self-directed learning (the student plans and schedules the course to fit their daily life and resources), blended learning (combining in-person, remote, and online teaching with independent student work), group work (developing collaboration and teamwork skills and learning from others' perspectives), simulation-based teaching (practicing clinical skills in pairs or small groups by simulating client situations), evidence-based teaching (the content focuses on evidence-based knowledge, and students must actively seek and analyze research information in their work).

In-person teaching combines theory with the practice of clinical skills, making attendance crucial for learning. It is important to come to in-person sessions prepared according to the pre-instructions, and online studies should be completed according to the planned schedule.

Exam schedules

All course materials are included in the exam material.

The course includes the following exams:
- Two online exams (basics of strength and endurance training), graded numerically from 0 to 5
- One practical exam (health fitness tests), graded pass/fail

Students can take the online exams independently at a time of their choosing. Each exam can be taken up to three times (the main exam and two retakes). All exams must be completed during the course.

The practical exam will be held on the day specified in the schedule. The dates for possible retakes will be announced later.

International connections

Constructive learning (discussion and social interaction in in-person teaching, independent study exercises, reflection on one's own learning), communal learning (group work and knowledge sharing), experiential learning (practical training of clinical skills), problem-based learning (case work and clinical reasoning exercises), reflective learning (reflection on one's own skills and professional development).

Considering the environmental perspective in teaching is mainly done by minimizing the use of disposable materials in teaching and favoring electronic study materials.

Completion alternatives

A student can demonstrate previously acquired skills by successfully completing the course assignments and exams.

Content scheduling

Implementation Plan (subject to changes)
- Detailed information can be found on Itslearning

Weeks 4-5
In-person teaching (x hours)
- Course orientation (MANDATORY ATTENDANCE, Formation of small groups)
- Physiotherapeutic examination & assessment of health fitness
- Muscle strength examination
- Practice of health fitness tests (muscle strength)

Independent study
- Reading assignments: strength training
- Video lectures: theoretical foundations of strength training
- Exercises: theoretical foundations of strength training
- Video lectures: basics of strength training implementation
- Exercises: basics of strength training implementation
- Starting your own training

Weeks 6-7
In-person teaching (x hours)
- Examination of general endurance
- Practice of health fitness tests (general endurance)

Independent study
- Reading assignments: endurance training
- Video lectures: theoretical foundations of endurance training
- Exercises: theoretical foundations of endurance training
- Video lectures: basics of endurance training implementation
- Exercises: basics of endurance training implementation
- Continuing your own training

Weeks 8-9
Independent study
- Video lectures: theory of testing & psychometrics of measures
- Exercises: theory of testing & psychometrics of measures
- Reading assignments: recovery
- Video lectures: theoretical foundations of recovery
- Exercises: theoretical foundations of recovery
- Continuing your own training

- Reading assignments: flexibility training
- Video lectures: theoretical foundations of flexibility training
- Exercises: theoretical foundations of flexibility training
- Video lectures: basics of flexibility training implementation
- Exercises: basics of flexibility training implementation
- Continuing your own training

Weeks 10-11
In-person teaching (x hours)
- Examination of motor control (balance and coordination)
- Practice of health fitness tests (balance and coordination)

Independent study
- Reading assignments: balance training
- Video lectures: theoretical foundations of balance training
- Exercises: theoretical foundations of balance training
- Video lectures: basics of balance training implementation
- Exercises: basics of balance training implementation
- Continuing your own training

Weeks 12-13
In-person teaching (x hours)
- Analysis of research results
- Documentation

Independent study
- Practicing and reviewing health fitness tests (exam preparation)
- Continuing your own training
- Report on health fitness test results (starting the work)

Week 14
In-person teaching (x hours)
- Practical exam (health fitness tests)

Independent study
- Continuing your own training
- Report on health fitness test results (continuing the work)

Weeks 15-18
Independent study
- Previous course content
- Report on health fitness test results (finalizing and submission)

Weeks 19-21
In-person teaching (x hours)
- Summary of experiences from own training (MANDATORY ATTENDANCE)
- Summary of health fitness assessment and training

Independent study
- Report on own training

Further information

All communication related to the course will take place through Itslearning. No emails.

Attendance in in-person teaching is generally required on-site, as the classes involve a lot of practical skills training. Information about the possibility of remote participation will be provided separately.

Absences due to illness or other compelling reasons should be reported to the course instructor in advance, if possible. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they learn the material missed during the absence. Competence must be demonstrated to the course instructor in a separately agreed manner.

For in-person teaching, you will generally need clothing suitable for physical activity.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

The course assessment is based on the following assignments:

- Online exam (basics of strength training) 20%
- Online exam (basics of endurance training) 20%
- Practical exam PASS/FAIL
- Report on strength training (group assignment) 20%
- Report on endurance training (group assignment) 20%
- Report on health fitness test results (individual assignment) 20%
- Other course assignments PASS/FAIL

The detailed assessment criteria for the assignments are provided with the assignment instructions.

All course assignments must be submitted to Itslearning according to the instructions. The student/group has the opportunity to receive feedback on written assignments once, after which the assignment can be revised before final submission if desired. A failed assignment can be revised or resubmitted up to two times.

A late submission will count as one resubmission attempt.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION RETRIEVAL
The student does not follow the course instructions.
The student has not familiarized themselves with the material available on the learning platform and/or the assignment instructions, nor do they act accordingly.
The student does not justify their actions using the knowledge base of their profession (relative to their stage of study).

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT
The student does not recognize or clearly demonstrate the theoretical foundations of physiotherapy:
Understanding and foundations are not demonstrated in assignments at all.
The student’s actions are inconsistent and confusing relative to their stage of study.
The student is unable to reflect on their learning or actions.
The student does not accept feedback and/or does not change their actions based on feedback.
The student endangers patient safety and/or the safety of the work and study environment.
The student cannot choose and use appropriate interaction methods for client or learning situations.

RESPONSIBLE, PROFESSIONAL, AND ETHICAL CONDUCT
The student does not recognize and/or follow the ethical principles, laws, regulations, and agreed guidelines governing the work of a physiotherapist.
Course assignments are not completed, all parts of the assignment instructions are not answered, or they are returned with very incomplete information.
The student’s actions and interactions are not respectful, reliable, and/or honest, and they do not take responsibility for their actions.
The student does not provide an explanation for absences and does not show that they have taken care of their learning during absences.
The student’s actions are unprofessional relative to their stage of study.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION RETRIEVAL
The student uses key physiotherapy professional terms in a limited scope and/or quantity.
The student uses given information sources randomly.
The student’s evidence-based information retrieval is inadequate, and they cannot critically evaluate the information they find.
The student’s knowledge base is fragmented, and the relationships between concepts remain unclear.
Written assignments are composed in complete sentences and in good Finnish.
Reflection in written work is superficial, and synthesis of information is not achieved.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT
The student can work under supervision in physiotherapy situations practiced during the course and knows the related factors.
The student can describe the phenomena discussed in the course at a general level and knows the factors affecting them.
The student is capable of self-reflection, but it is superficial and/or unrealistic.
The student works safely in work and study environments.
The use of physiotherapeutic methods and making conclusions/clinical reasoning require guidance and confirmation.
The student is capable of receiving feedback and strives to change their actions based on it.
The student can function in various guidance and interaction situations.

RESPONSIBLE, PROFESSIONAL, AND ETHICAL CONDUCT
The student recognizes and acts according to the ethical principles, laws, regulations, and agreed guidelines governing the work of a physiotherapist.
The student can function as a member of a group, but their actions are not self-directed.
The student can take responsibility for agreed tasks but often submits them late.
The student knows the basic principles of dialogue, but their actions do not always reflect this.
The student’s actions and interactions are respectful, reliable, and honest.
The student recognizes the prerequisites and consequences of their actions.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION RETRIEVAL
The criteria for grades 1–2 are met. Additionally:
The student’s knowledge base is understood as a whole.
The student can search for evidence-based information from various sources and recognize the difference between everyday knowledge and researched information.
The student can use key information sources systematically.
Written assignments are clearly structured.
The student can use key physiotherapy professional terms systematically.
Written work includes personal reflection and attempts at synthesis.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT
The criteria for grades 1–2 are met. Additionally:
The student can work independently in learning situations according to given instructions.
The student can explain the factors related to the course content and describe the key contents of physiotherapy.
The student works systematically, safely, and reliably in work and study environments.
The student is partially capable of making conclusions/clinical reasoning independently.
The student accepts feedback and changes their actions based on it.

RESPONSIBLE, PROFESSIONAL, AND ETHICAL CONDUCT
The criteria for grades 1–2 are met. Additionally:
The student works purposefully in a group and adheres to agreed schedules.
The student can organize their own activities.
The student can suggest actions and, if necessary, seek approval for their actions.
The student considers dialogue and strives to act equally in interaction situations.
The student can critically evaluate their own actions and skills, recognizing their strengths and areas for development.?

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION RETRIEVAL
The criteria for grades 3–4 are met. Additionally:
The student uses professional terminology expertly.
The student can search for and use evidence-based information expertly and independently.
The student can use key information sources as well as other strong evidence-based sources they find themselves.
Written work shows application, synthesis, and independent reflection of information.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT
The criteria for grades 3–4 are met. Additionally:
The student can work independently in learning situations.
The student understands the methods of physiotherapy and the factors related to their reliable use.
The student can describe the phenomena discussed in the course broadly and understands the factors affecting them deeply.
The student works independently, systematically, safely, and reliably in work and study environments.
The student is capable of making conclusions/clinical reasoning mostly independently.
The student can apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations.
The student reflects on their actions and can engage in discussions about the feedback received.

RESPONSIBLE, PROFESSIONAL, AND ETHICAL CONDUCT
The criteria for grades 3–4 are met. Additionally:
The student takes responsibility for sharing what they have learned and for working in a group.
The student can organize group activities and, if necessary, lead their own and the group’s activities.
The student commits to the group and promotes the group’s goals through their actions.
The student can engage in dialogue and acts equally in interaction situations.