Exercise Science for Healthy Life

In particular, graduates will be able to design, deliver, and assess physical and adapted sports activity programs for different age groups, including children, adults, and the elderly, for both healthy individuals and those affected by various conditions, with the goal of promoting healthy growth and aging in good physical and motor health. They will also be able to administer and assess physical and adapted sports activity protocols aimed at preventing postural issues and at post-rehabilitation motor re-education.
Moreover, they will acquire the skills to design and lead adapted physical and sports activity programs for people with disabilities, in stable and controlled health conditions, as well as to disseminate and communicate the culture of physical exercise as a tool that impacts health, well-being, and inclusivity.
The Master's Degree Program in Exercise Science for Healthy Life has the following specific training objectives regarding knowledge and skills:
-Knowledge of the benefits and risks associated with adapted physical and sports activities in relation to different age groups, physical and mental health conditions, and psycho-motor abilities;
-Understanding the effects of adapted physical and sports activities on risk factors and prognostic indicators related to cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, endocrine, oncological, and other pathologies, while implementing behavioral strategies for improving lifestyle in these contexts;
-Acquiring knowledge of how the body adapts to adapted physical activities for both healthy individuals and those with chronic conditions in stable clinical conditions;
-Knowledge of how cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, endocrine, and oncological pathologies affect physical performance and functional responses during evaluation tests;
-The ability to plan, deliver, and assess individualized adapted physical and sports activity programs based on medical recommendations, aiming to identify the type of exercise, intensity, and frequency tailored to individuals with different conditions or disabilities;
-Competence in recognizing symptoms indicative of pathological conditions requiring medical intervention during submaximal and maximal evaluation tests or while programming and delivering adapted physical and sports activities;
-Knowledge of the most frequently used pharmacological therapies for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes, particularly in relation to their effects on exercise and the potential alterations caused by exercise on ongoing treatments;
-Proficiency in applying procedures for dealing with cardio-respiratory emergencies that may arise during evaluation tests or adapted physical and sports activity sessions;
-The ability to lead and plan adapted physical and sports activities for groups of healthy individuals across different ages, those with postural problems, or those with different pathologies and clinical conditions, provided they are in stable health, with the capacity to identify precautions for each category to prevent complications;
-Mastery in using tools for evaluating adapted physical and sports activities across different populations and various pathological conditions, with an ability to critically analyze protocols, measurements, and expected results;
-Implementing cognitive-behavioral interventions to improve adherence to adapted physical and sports activity programs;
-Acquiring methods and psychomotor techniques aimed at individuals who need assistance, with the goal of social and civic re-education.
Additionally, they may work in teaching, training, and dissemination, with opportunities in the fields of rehabilitation and social inclusion.
Practical Activities (PA)
The training program includes 20 CFU (University Educational Credits) of Practical Activities (PA) within the teachings of the Motor and Sports Sciences area. One CFU of PA consists of 12 hours of practical exercises, conducted either at university facilities or in appropriately equipped structures that meet technical requirements and student capacity, under the direct responsibility of the University
The verification of entry requirements will consist of an assessment of the candidate's academic background, based on the list of completed exams, including grades and corresponding CFU (University Educational Credits).
The evaluation of the adequacy of personal preparation will be based on the results of exams in the BIOS (formerly BIO) and MEDF (formerly M-EDF) scientific-disciplinary sectors. If full adequacy cannot be determined from these results, candidates will be required to pass an individual interview. The oral interview will assess basic knowledge of the Anatomy of Systems and general knowledge of Neuromuscular, Cardiorespiratory, and Exercise Physiology. In case of unsuitability, enrollment will not be possible.
Admission interviews will be held on 8 and 9 September 2025.
The interview calendar, with candidates given an interview slot at a designated date and time, will be posted via a notice to the programme website at:
https://afb.cdl.unimi.it/it following the application deadline.
Applications must be submitted online at:
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/iscriversi/corsi-magistrali-biennali/magistrali-ad-accesso-libero by the deadline, which will be posted to the University website.
Pre-participation examination
Students must have passed a pre-participation examination and received a certificate in order to enrol in this degree programme.
Those not participating in any sport activities must file the following certificate: "Medical certificate permitting participation in high-cardiovascular intensity sport, pursuant to Art. 4 of the 24/04/2013 Ministerial Decree" (tests which must be administered: basal and after-exertion EKG, spirometry, urinalysis) issued by a Sport Medicine Clinic or Centre.
"Healthy and fit" or any other type of generic medical certificate or sport physical other than the one listed above will be insufficient.
Non-EU applicants without a stay permit for Italy must supply, prior to submitting their online application, the results of the following examinations: basal and after-exertion EKG, spirometry, urinalysis; if admitted into the programme, they must secure the above-mentioned certificate once they arrive in Italy.
Candidates holding a valid Pre-Participation Examination Certificate as of their interview date may upload the document when they register for their interview slot.
The certificate must be submitted no later than during the online enrolment process.
Admission
Application for admission: from 22/01/2025 to 31/07/2025
Application for matriculation: from 02/04/2025 to 15/01/2026
Attachments and documents
Please note
In caso di necessità, i candidati potranno integrare la documentazione relativa alla domanda inserita, in particolare la certificazione relativa agli esami sostenuti con voto conseguito e settore scientifico disciplinare, entro il 31 luglio 2025, inviando una e-mail all'indirizzo [email protected]
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Adapted Physical Activity and Sport | 6 | 72 | Italian | M-EDF/01 M-EDF/02 |
Physical Activity Monitoring Assessment | 11 | 102 | Italian | ING-INF/06 M-EDF/02 |
Physical Activity Promotion and Design for Healthy Lifestyles | 12 | 72 | Italian | M-PED/01 M-PSI/06 SPS/08 |
Physiopathology and Medical Techniques Applied to Adapted Physical Activity | 12 | 90 | Italian | M-EDF/01 MED/09 MED/33 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Biological Basis of Wellness | 9 | 54 | Italian | BIO/10 BIO/12 MED/13 |
Exercise Physiology and Nutrition Related to Wellness | 9 | 60 | Italian | BIO/09 MED/49 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Analytic Methods for Genes and Enviroment Interactions On Physical Exercise Metabolism | 6 | 42 | Italian | MED/49 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | English | NN |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Ageing and Physical Exercise: Theory, Technique, Didactics and Organization | 9 | 66 | Italian | M-EDF/02 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Corrective Approch to the Back-Thoracic and Lumbar Pain | 8 | 54 | Italian | M-EDF/02 |
Injury Prevention and Functional Rehabilitation in Sport | 4 | 24 | Italian | M-EDF/02 |
Sports Neurology | 8 | 54 | Italian | M-EDF/02 |
Welfare Related to Exercise and Sport | 8 | 54 | Italian | M-EDF/02 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Physical Exercise in Water | 6 | 54 | Italian | M-EDF/02 |
Optional | ||||
Functional Recovery for Athletic Performance in Sport | 4 | 30 | Italian | M-EDF/02 |
Meditation. Yoga Sport Health | 8 | 54 | Italian | M-EDF/02 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Yoga, the Pedagogy of Sport Between Body Mind and Health | 8 | 54 | Italian | M-EDF/02 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Training/stages | 18 | 0 | Italian | NN |
Graduation Thesis Graduation Thesis | 11 | 0 | Italian | NN |
Per i dettagli relativi alla modalità delle scelte e all'attivazione degli insegnamenti si rimanda al paragrafo "Presentazione del piano studi".
Gli insegnamenti di "Prevenzione infortuni e rieducazione funzionale nello sport" e "Recupero funzionale sul campo della performance atletica dello sportivo" (4+4 cfu) devono essere scelti insieme.
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Corrective Approch to the Back-Thoracic and Lumbar Pain | 8 | 54 | Italian | First semester | M-EDF/02 |
Functional Recovery for Athletic Performance in Sport | 4 | 30 | Italian | Second semester | M-EDF/02 |
Injury Prevention and Functional Rehabilitation in Sport | 4 | 24 | Italian | First semester | M-EDF/02 |
Meditation. Yoga Sport Health | 8 | 54 | Italian | Second semester | M-EDF/02 |
Sports Neurology | 8 | 54 | Italian | First semester | M-EDF/02 |
Welfare Related to Exercise and Sport | 8 | 54 | Italian | First semester | M-EDF/02 |
Yoga, the Pedagogy of Sport Between Body Mind and Health | 8 | 54 | Italian | Second week | M-EDF/02 |
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The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:
- The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
- The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year)
- An additional fee is due for online programmes
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