Exercise Science for Healthy Life

The Master's Degree Program in Exercise Science for Healthy Life aims to train graduates who are specialists in preventive and adapted physical activities. These graduates will be able, both autonomously and as part of an interdisciplinary team, to use methodological and technical tools to deliver different types of adapted physical and sports activities aimed at promoting and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.
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.