Applied Group Fitness Exercise Prescription and Program Design

Catalog description

Skills and practical knowledge to design safe and effective exercise classes for a variety of populations to improve health. The primary purpose of this course is to provide students interested in applied exercise and health careers (group fitness instructors, health and physical education teachers, personal trainers, wellness professionals, corporate fitness professionals, physical therapists) with skills and practical knowledge to design as well as instruct safe and effective exercise classes for a variety of populations to improve cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility. Students will learn how to prepare for a class, which includes participant monitoring as well as evaluation and progresses to developing the skills for both programming as well as leading group exercise classes. Students will gather and apply the current literature regarding the ideal training strategies and practical tips for both healthy adults as well as special populations (i.e. asthma, obesity, youth, pregnancy, older adults). They will also learn how to verbally and physically cue and demonstrate the exercises to a group. Strategies for adherence to assist in behavior modification will be a focus throughout the course. At the conclusion of KINES 401 , the students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of group fitness class components. Inherent in the course goals is an understanding of the adaptations that occur as a result of programs of cardiorespiratory and muscular exercise in apparently healthy, at-risk, and diseased populations. Content knowledge is integrated with application of skills in fitness exercise, and instruction and will be put to use in a learning laboratory setting which students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on instructional experiences.