Walking for Fitness

Catalog description

KINES 72 introduces students to the performance of fitness walking as a lifelong activity that is intended to maintain and enhance physical health, wellness, and psychological well-being. This course provides information the student needs to understand, organize, plan and implement a physical fitness program that features walking as a primary, low-impact activity. Students examine the potential fitness benefits of engaging in walking on a regular basis and the social benefits associated with the betterment of one's well-being and quality of life. This course includes a progression of individually paced routes varying lengths that are conducted over various terrains. Students experience participation in ambulation through a variety of training techniques including intervals, hill training, and walks to various locations of interest dependent on each campus location and the surrounding community. These activities are complemented by teachings on a variety of walking and fitness related topics such as the philosophy of walking and walking safety, goal-setting for personal health, principles and concept of physical fitness, the physiology of walking, assessing exercise, promoting wellness, and nutrition and weight control. Students may also participate in small group-based activities that build leadership and teamwork skills. Throughout the course, students have opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned during the course through participation in regular exercise. Students also experience techniques used to monitor performance throughout the course.