Single Study Module
Living Systems
Living Systems
To truly master the practice of NeuroPhysics Therapy, one must first appreciate the profound complexity of the human being as a living system. This module invites you to look beyond the surface of traditional exercise prescriptions and explore the intricate, nonlinear relationship between our internal systems and the external environment. By understanding the fundamental principles of complex adaptive systems, you will gain the insight necessary to identify why performance dwindles and how to restore integrity when the system’s natural balance is disrupted.
Supported by
Ken Ware
Founder and Director
Module Introduction
by Ken Ware
Before delving into and unpacking this very important module, it is best to spend time thinking deeply about the content of this rather lengthy introduction to the module, be it that the information in the introduction alone has proven challenging to some students in terms of a potential pre-existing naive understanding of the sheer nature and enormity of what we are as a living system and our deeply interconnected relationship with the environment.
We are working with human beings during NPT practice, so we need to possess a much deeper understanding of the innate nature of the human beings’ relationship with the environment to be able to identify what is happening when things go wrong or why performance within the environment is dwindling.
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TYPES OF SYSTEMS
What is a system? A system is an organised, purposeful structure that consists of interrelated and interdependent elements (components, entities, factors, members, parts etc.). These elements continually influence one another (directly or indirectly) to maintain their activity and the existence of the system, to achieve the goal of the system.
The agents in the system are all the components of that system: for example, the air and water molecules in a weather system, and flora and fauna in an ecosystem. Once we can understand all the elements of a system, we can then begin to look at it in terms of predictability and outcomes.
VIEW: (3 mins)
Introduction to Complex Adaptive Systems
LINEAR AND NONLINEAR SYSTEMS
This then leads us to examining linear and nonlinear systems. All systems can be described as either linear or nonlinear systems. Simply stated, something is linear if its output is proportional to its input. If you are reading late at night and you want twice as much light in the room (illumination output) to see the book, then you double the number of light bulbs (illumination input) by bringing over another similar lamp.
If you want to buy twice as much food at the grocery store, you will pay twice as much. In these examples, the amount of input = the amount of output due to the action taken. This is called linear proportion.
All systems that are not linear are considered nonlinear systems. In these systems, the change in a variable at an initial time can lead to a change in the same or a different variable at a later time.
The change that occurs at the later time is not proportional to the change at the initial time. As you will see in this module, this is known as the ‘butterfly effect’. These are the basic principles to identify linear and nonlinear systems. It is important that a Neurotrician can tell the difference.
A linear system can be broken up into little parts, each little part can be addressed and solutions formed, and then the parts can be put back together to make a complete solution. This understanding allows us to examine the relationship between linear systems and reductionism theory.
Nonlinear systems cannot be broken up into little parts and solved separately. The whole system needs to be looked at and dealt with in its full complexity.
REDUCTIONISM: A LINEAR THOUGHT SYSTEM
The concept of linearity is very closely related to that of reductionism. Reductionism is an approach to science that says a system in nature can be understood solely in terms of how its parts work. This idea revolves around reducing complex interactions and entities to the sum of their constituent parts to make them easier to study.
Reductionism does not work when examining nonlinear systems. For example, if you want to understand life as a system, it is not possible to look only at the properties of the molecules in a living system. If the system is dismantled into all the separate molecules, it is no longer alive. Therefore, life must be nonlinear; death is linear.
This distinction between linear and nonlinear, and recognising that linear approaches are reductionistic, is important to know because most exercise prescriptions use linear mindsets. Their assumption is that the output is equal to the input. For example, if a client pushes with a certain amount of effort, they should be able to lift a certain amount of weight (the input should equal the output). If a person swings at a baseball with the same effort, they should be able to hit a home run.
However, this is consistently not the case. All living systems are nonlinear, meaning the output can be much greater or much less than the input.
What this means is that nonlinear systems appear unpredictable at first glance – which leads to the question, how can predictable results be obtained using an exercise prescription with nonlinear systems?
The answer lies in the functional training systems developed for the practice of NeuroPhysics Therapy, with each program designed to predict definite outcomes for nonlinear systems.
Living Systems
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Key learning objectives
- Recognise traits and concepts that describe some key characteristics of complex adaptive systems.
- Connect human experiences and behaviours with concepts that describe living systems.
- Analyse personal experience in terms of system concepts and dynamics.
- Describe the value and meaning gained from this early study of complex adaptive systems.
Duration
The estimated completion time varies by topic and by individual study styles, reading and typing speeds, and native language. Completion time estimates range from a low of perhaps 12 hours for a few of the modules, to a high of perhaps 25-30 hours, depending on the module. All modules are presented in U.S. English.
Successful completion
The minimum score to pass individual assignments and tests is 80%. Successful completion of a module earns a Certificate of Completion from Neurotricional Sciences Education Pty. Ltd.
Acceptance of Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions (“Terms”) govern your conduct in connection with registering for the single module you have selected (broadly referred to as “the Program”). By registering for the Program, you acknowledge that you have read and accept these Terms. If you do not agree to the Terms, do not proceed.
A reference in the Terms to “we”, “us” or “our” is a reference to Neurotricional Sciences Education Pty Ltd ABN 27 162 445 829, trading as Ken Ware NeuroPhysics Therapy Training & Education.
“iCohere” refers to the iCohere Unified Learning System, a software platform for which Neurotricional Sciences Education Pty Ltd has a use license.
“LMS” refers to the iCohere Learning Management System where the Program’s online education takes place.
1. Your obligations
(a) By agreeing to the Terms and registering in the Program, you:
i. understand and agree that you have 75 calendar days of access to the LMS per module, starting from the date you are first provided access to the LMS to begin (“Access Period”).
ii. understand that if your final tests are submitted by the 60th day of the Access Period, their grades and instructor written feedback will be viewable by you until the end of the Access Period. This is to ensure you understand that final grading may take between 7-10 days to post to your gradebook.
iii. warrant that all information provided to us in connection with your registration is true and correct.
iv. confirm that you have access to the minimum requirements to undertake the Program: reliable internet connection, computer, laptop, or tablet with keyboard, keyboarding skills, and ability to open, use, and save Microsoft Word documents, and English language reading and writing skills.
v. confirm that you understand the LMS is not designed with smart phone accessibility.
vi. agree to retain a valid email address in your iCohere Profile page at all times during the Access Period which we will use to contact you for the duration of your Program;
vii. agree to keep your username and password to the LMS secure and not permit anyone else to access the LMS using your user information;
viii. must comply with codes of conduct, as contained herein and as may be amended from time to time;
ix. agree to comply with any terms and conditions of use of the Learning Management System (“LMS”);
x. confirm that you’ve read and understood all the information in these Terms and you agree to act in accordance with the Terms at all times;
xi. warrant that you are an individual capable to personally agree to the Terms.
(b) You acknowledge that you may be prevented from registering with us or have your registration cancelled if we determine that any of the above statements are untrue, or if you are otherwise in breach of these terms and conditions.
2. Our Obligations
(a) Subject to these terms and conditions, we will provide you with access to an online learning environment (“LMS”), which hosts the Program.
(b) During the Access Period, we will:
i. respond to your reasonable questions throughout your Program; and
ii. issue a Certificate of Module Completion upon your successful completion of your Program.
iii. provide you with access to student support services, and
iv. grade and provide feedback on your assignments and tests, and
v. notify you if iCohere notifies us of a technical downtime of unusual duration.
(c) From time to time we may make additions or amendments to the Program (including revising modules, learning materials and activities, and tests), policies, or procedures. Any such changes will be effective when made and incorporated into these Terms. Your continued use of the Program will be deemed acceptance of any changes to the Terms.
(d) In the event you later wish to enroll in one of our Certificate programs which also use the Program module you have registered for and successfully completed, we will transfer your single-module record to the Certificate program to ensure you are credited as having completed it.
3. Withdrawal and Refunds
(a) Registration fees are non-refundable. No request for refund will be granted.
(b) If you do not complete your Program within the Access Period, your enrolment will expire without refund. You may re-register at the regular price with a new 75-day Access Period.
4. Code of Conduct
(a) You must comply with any applicable Code of Conduct issued by us including those in these Terms. Such codes provide a clear understanding of the expectations and obligations we expect from you when participating in our Program with regard to personal and academic conduct. You are expected to comply with these principles for the duration of your enrolment.
(b) You must behave honestly, ethically and responsibly in all dealings with us and your fellow students, following these principles:
i. When communicating, focus on the situation, issue or behaviour, not on the person;
ii. Maintain and protect the self-confidence and esteem of others;
iii. Maintain constructive relationships with staff and fellow students;
iv. Maintain a professional attitude and commitment toward learning
v. Avoid the use of inappropriate language and behaviour in any communication with students and staff;
vi. If you don’t follow these behaviors and their underlying principles, based on the nature of your misconduct, you may potentially be withdrawn from your Program, and may incur financial penalties such as loss of enrolment and tuition fees.
5. LMS website use
(a) You agree to comply with any applicable terms and conditions for use of the LMS, any websites maintained by us, social media sites, and student platforms for the duration of your enrolment. If we consider that you’re not complying with these requirements, we may withdraw you from your Program, which may result in financial penalties such as loss of your Program fee.
(b) You agree that you will not upload or post any of the following content anywhere on our websites, the LMS, social media sites or any other website:
i. confidential information or other information that you do not have the right to disclose (whether under contractual obligation or otherwise);
ii. content that may be misleading or deceptive;
iii. negative or defamatory statements that may harm the reputation of us or any student or instructor;
iv. advertising, marketing or promotional material, or other unauthorised commercial communications (such as spam);
v. content which you do not have the right to upload, post, email or otherwise transmit, such as content which is protected by copyright, patent, trade mark, service mark or any other proprietary right (unless you have express, written permission from the owner and, where applicable, include appropriate acknowledgement);
vi. material which contains a virus or other harmful (or potentially harmful) code;
vii. content that defames, harasses, bullies or threatens others (this includes language which is lewd, aggressive, insulting, racist, sexually explicit, threatens bodily harm / death, general serious threat, planting statements to provoke third party stalking harassment
viii. content that discusses illegal activities, with the intent to commit (or encourage others to commit) such illegal activities;
ix. content that contains obscene or offensive language or images (such as pornography or nudity);
x. content that is unlawful;
xi. content that is otherwise harmful (or potentially harmful) to us or other users of the websites.
(c) We reserve the right to remove any content from our websites, social media sites or the LMS in our sole discretion, but are not required to do so. If content you have posted is removed, you may not be notified that this has occurred. You acknowledge that we do not screen or moderate all content posted to the LMS or our websites by users, and release us from any liability in respect of loss or damage suffered due to the use of the LMS or our websites.
(d) The Program uses self-paced learning, which means you complete the components of the Program at your own pace within the Program’s access period. These Terms and Conditions stipulate your registered enrolment and LMS access period as 75 calendar days. It is your individual responsibility to manage your schedule to complete the Module within the Access Period.
(e) To help you manage your time for successful completion, the Program publishes estimated time ranges to complete various learning activities. These are unofficial estimates and may be shorter or longer than the time you actually spend.
6. Copyright
(a) You acknowledge that all Program content is protected by copyright for your sole individual purpose of studying as a registered student, and it must not be distributed, copied or shared in any form by any means for any reason.
(b) You agree that you will only use Program content for your personal study, the only way that is permitted by these Terms.
7. Privacy Policy
By enrolling in your Program with us you consent to us using the information provided by you for the purposes of our providing services to you under the Terms. We will not share or sell any of your personal information with any third party. You:
(a) agree that we may collect personal information (including sensitive information) about you for the purposes of enrolling you in the Program, processing your enrolment application, managing your participation in your Program, administering your permanent student record, improving our education programming, communicating with you about your Program, educational programs related thereto, and about Ken Ware NeuroPhysics Therapy.
(b) consent to us disclosing your personal information to relevant government authorities only as required by law;
(c) agree that we may include some items of your anonymous personal information such as gender, age, state/province and country with others’ anonymous information of the same kind in aggregated sets for our purposes only to inform marketing of Ken Ware NeuroPhysics Therapy education.
(d) understand that during your initial logging onto the LMS, you will be presented the iCohere policies including privacy policy for your membership on that platform. Some information collected by the iCohere LMS platform will not in itself identify you, but will provide information about your use of the website (for example ‘cookies’). You agree that we and iCohere may collect and use this data to track use of the website, support your progress, and/or to help improve delivery of education services.
8. Confidentiality
(a) You agree that for the purposes of the Terms:
“Confidential Information” means all information (written, video, or otherwise) relating to and provided by the Program, including (without limitation) Ken Ware NeuroPhysics Therapy, exercise prescription and technique, Program material, and other knowledge, techniques and/or processes in relation to the Program, whether owned by us or any associated or related entity, but does not include information which:
i. was known to you prior to its disclosure by us;
ii. enters the public domain otherwise than by your default;
iii. was obtained in good faith from a source other than us or an entity that is associated or related to us, and that was entitled to provide it.
“Permitted Purpose” means for the purposes of your single-student study use as you undertake the Program in accordance with these Terms.
(b) You agree to keep the Confidential Information confidential and shall not, without our prior written consent, disclose any of the Confidential Information to any third party, unless required by law.
(c) You agree that you will not use the Confidential Information for any purpose other than the Permitted Purpose or do anything in relation to the Confidential Information which might be directly or indirectly detrimental to us.
(d) You agree that you will not make copies or otherwise share any Confidential Information and shall return all copies of the Confidential Information provided by us immediately upon being requested to do so.
(e) You acknowledge that monetary damages alone shall be an insufficient remedy for a breach of the provisions of the Terms and that we shall be entitled to injunctive relief to restrain a breach or threatened breach.
9. Warranties
(a) You acknowledge that no warranty is provided by us in respect of any of the Program material, and you accept all liability for your actions.
(b) The Program is sold on a “as is” basis, and you acknowledge that our maximum liability in respect of any action whatsoever shall be limited to the amount of Program fees paid by you under the Terms.
(c) We do not warrant that the LMS will be constantly available or that your access to the LMS will be uninterrupted or error free. The LMS may be unavailable from time to time due to scheduled maintenance, external intruders (e.g., hackers), virus, worm, or denial of service attacks, power failures or other factors, and you release us from any liability arising from any loss or damage suffered by the unavailability of the LMS.
10. General
(a) These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and us and governs your use of the Program.
(b) The Terms are governed by and is to be construed in accordance with the law applicable in Queensland. Each party irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland and any courts which may hear appeals from those courts in respect of any proceedings in connection with the Terms.
(c) If any part of the Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, that portion shall be construed in a manner consistent with applicable law to reflect, as nearly as possible, the original intentions of the parties, and the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.
(d) The Terms may only be varied:
i. if we notify you of changes to the Terms in writing or
ii. if you make a request to which all parties agree in writing.
(e) Our failure to enforce any right or provisions in the Terms will not constitute a waiver of such or any other provision. We will not be responsible for any failure to fulfil any obligations due to causes beyond its control.
(f) You acknowledge that any notices we send to you (including notice of changes to these Terms) will become effective immediately on being sent, and that your email used in registration is our official means of contacting you.
ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• I acknowledge that I have read the terms and conditions of registration, I understand them, and I am aware of my rights and obligations.
• I agree to abide by all of the policies, procedures, terms and conditions.
What Students Say
Listen to Tim Farley, World Class Tricker and NeuroPhysics Therapy Student.
Features of NeuroPhysics Therapy Online Learning Module:
- Best practice in adult online learning
- Audio orientation by Dr. Sara Ross
- Assignments ensure experiential adult learning
- Instructors provide individualized feedback on assignments and tests shortly after they are submitted
- Estimated times listed for each learning activity can inform your time management
- Devices supported: PC or Mac computers or tablets (not smart phones)
You have 60 days to complete your online learning activities, plus up to 15 more days to access the instructor feedback and guidance on your final assignments (total of 75 days of online access.