Exercise for Musculoskeletal Disorders unit (CXA330)

Launceston

Introduction

This unit is designed to meet ESSA accreditation criteria in the musculoskeletal domain for health and exercise assessment in exercise science and within the Scope of Practice of an Exercise Scientist. You will apply foundational knowledge of musculoskeletal conditions / co-morbidities / treatments, risk / capacity / monitoring considerations, injury prevention / rehabilitation principles in a multidisciplinary musculoskeletal care environment to prescribe and translate exercise to practice for apparently healthy populations at risk of a musculoskeletal condition/disorder. You will also deliver exercise that is prescribed by an Exercise Physiologist or Physiotherapist to clinical populations with an existing musculoskeletal condition/disorder.  

Summary

Unit name	Exercise for Musculoskeletal Disorders
Unit code	CXA330
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health School of Health Sciences
Discipline	Health Sciences
Coordinator	Associate Professor Deborah Pascoe
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Launceston	Semester 2

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Integrate musculoskeletal pathology, clinical presentation and contextual demands to inform exercise decision-making across stages of recovery.
• Evaluate baseline and progressive functional musculoskeletal status within the Exercise Scientist scope of practice to inform exercise planning and referral decisions.
• Integrate pharmacological and interventional management considerations into risk-informed exercise planning for clients with musculoskeletal conditions to justify exercise prescription decisions.
• Evaluate acute changes in clinical status during exercise for clients with musculoskeletal conditions to determine modification, cessation or referral responses.
• Communicate with clients and health professionals to facilitate collaborative planning and delivery of exercise-based treatment for musculoskeletal conditions.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
069900	$1,192.00	$1,192.00	not applicable	$2,919.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

CXA307 and CXA329

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Workshop (2hrs x 12 times), Practical (2hrs x once only), Tutorial (1.5hrs x 6 times), Independent learning (4hrs x weekly)
Assessment	Musculoskeletal Workbooks (20%)|Examination (25%)|Exercise Prescription Case Study (25%)|Practical Exam (30%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Bonikowske, Amanda R., editor.; Christle, Jeffrey W., editor.; Gallo, Paul M., editor.; Ozemek, Cemal, editor. (2026) ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. American College of Sports Medicine Twelfth edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Recommended

Peter Brukner, Ben Clarsen, Jill Cook, Ann Cools, Kay Crossley, Mark Hutchinson, Paul McCrory, Roald Bahr and Karim Khan (2017). Brukner and Khan’s clinical sports medicine Vol 1. Injuries. Fifth edition. Sydney: McGraw-Hill. Kendall, FP et al (2006). Muscles: testing and function with posture and pain. Fifth edition. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Prentice, W.E (2011). Rehabilitation techniques in sports medicine and athletic training. Fifth edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill. Soames, R (2003). Joint Motion: Clinical Measurement and Evaluation. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.