- Docente: Milena Raffi
- Credits: 6
- SSD: BIO/09
- Language: Italian
- Moduli: Milena Raffi (Modulo 1) Michela Persiani (Modulo 2)
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Exercise and Sport Sciences (cod. 8512)
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from Sep 27, 2024 to Dec 04, 2024
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student: - knows the general physiological processes and functional mechanisms of excitable cells; - will understand the physiological basis of muscle contraction, the main functional characteristics of skeletal muscles, force modulation and is able to use this knowledge for the purposes of training methodologies and programs of motor activity; - knows the principles of the sensory-motor integration, especially with regard to neuromotor control; - knows the main principles about the neurophysiological basis of integrative higher nervous functions, such as alertness, attention, memory, learning and language.
Course contents
Cellular physiology
Transmembrane transport
Passive and active transports. Homeostasis.
Membrane potentials
Rest membrane potential. Action potential Equilibrium potential. Local potential. Na+/K+ pump. Action potential propagation.
Synapse
Chemical synapse. Electrical synapse. Neurotransmitters. Synaptic potential.
Muscle contraction
Skeletal muscle. Contractile cells. Sliding filament theory. Contraction of motor unit. Smooth muscle.
Mechanical contraction of skeletal muscle
Motor unit. Type of contractions. Isometric and isotonic contractions. Fatigues, DOMS. Electromyography.
Muscle adaptations to training
Functional modifications induced by training.
Sensory receptors
Receptor classification. Sensory transduction.
Physiology of the nervous system
General principals
Functional organization of the central nervous system. Sensory-motor integration and autonomic integration. Signal coding.
Tactile sensibility
Type of somatic sensibility. Cutaneous receptors. Receptive fields.
Pain sensibility
Pain receptors. Pain type. Gate-control theory.
Sensory systems
Fotoreceptors and retina physiology. Functional organization of the visual pathway. Visual cortex. Ocular movements. Functional organization of ear receptors and of the acoustic pathway. Acoustic cortex. Vestibular receptors.
Spinal cord and spinal reflexes
Functional organization of the spinal cord. Neuromuscular spindle and Golgi receptors. Stretch reflex. Flexor withdrawal reflex. Locomotion control.
Brainstem and vestibular system
Reticular formation. Vestibular reflexes. Postural reflexes. Postural control.
Voluntary movements
Types of voluntary movements. Premotor and motor cortices. Functional organization of the descending pathways. Cerebellum.
Superior integration
Sleep.
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous system. Membrane receptors. Thermoregulation.
Readings/Bibliography
Dee U. Silverthorn: Fisiologia umana. Un approccio integrato
Or
Widmaier, Raff, Srang: Vander, Fisiologia
Teaching methods
Lectures and test. Simulation exam at the end of the course.
Students are required to attend Modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e -opportunities / health-and-assistance / health-and-safety / safety-and-health-in-places-of-study-and-training] and to participate in Module 3 of specific training on safety and health in study places. Information about Module 3 can be found in the degree program website.
Assessment methods
The knowledge of the course of Neurophysiology will be verified by written examination.
Registration for the examination is made through Almaesami web site. Results of the exams will be published on Almaesami web site.
Teaching tools
Wooclap, PC, projector, openboard.
Office hours
See the website of Milena Raffi
See the website of Michela Persiani
SDGs


This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.