University Studies Program
Physical Activity and Health (P)
(May 21, 2002)
(updated January 9, 2003)
Definition:
Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity.
Rationale:
Graduates of the University of Wyoming should understand health and wellness and the
impact physical activity and inactivity have on their health. Wellness and physical
activity for health constitute major components of a healthy lifestyle and general health
promotion and protection. The knowledge and experience gained from a wellness and
physical activity course will enable students to make informed decisions about their
health as it relates to quality of life and longevity.
Outcomes:
1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the components of health-related fitness.
2. Students will demonstrate competency in developing a personal health-related fitness
program.
3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of nutrition, cardiovascular health, diseases
related to physical activity, stress management, substance use and abuse, and sexually
transmitted diseases.
4. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the health-related benefits of physical activity
and of the risks associated with physical inactivity.
5. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the principles specific to attaining and
maintaining good health and fitness throughout life.
6. Students will participate in physical activities that are self-paced at target heart rates of
moderate to vigorous intensity.
Criteria for Approval of University Studies Courses:
Physical Activity and Health (P) courses include lecture and physical activity
components. The lecture component will examine general fitness, the risks of physical
inactivity, and the principles specific to attaining good health and fitness throughout life.
This part of the course will also examine cardiovascular health, diet and nutrition, stress
management, diseases related to physical activity, sexually transmitted diseases, and
substance use and abuse.
The physical activity component will include at least one weekly session that allows
students to engage in physical activities that are self-paced at target heart rates of
moderate to vigorous (MVPA) intensity. Students will maintain a weekly log in which
they document their daily physical activity.
The P category can be satisfied through a one credit hour course that may be delivered
by departments, programs, colleges, or interdisciplinary groups throughout the university.
Physical activity and health outcomes in a proposed P course must be clearly delineated
in the course syllabus (reflected in the course purpose, objectives, tentative schedule, and
forms of assessments).
Fulfilling the Requirement:
1. The P requirement will normally be fulfilled through completion of PEAC 1001.
2. Students may fulfill the lecture component of P by placement at the second scheduled
class of the semester by scoring 80% or more on a Physical Activity and Health
comprehensive exam.
2. Students who have completed either the lecture or physical activity component of P at
another college or university will only be required to complete the remaining component
at the University of Wyoming.
3. Students may complete the physical activity component of the P requirement by being
active members of a University of Wyoming varsity athletic team, or of a university club
team that involves the cardiovascular endurance component of P courses, or by enrolling
in PEAC 1272—ROTC cardiovascular conditioning (must be a University team member
or enroller in PEAC 1272 ROTC while enrolled in the lecture component of PEAC
1001). For these latter three, the student must be concurrently enrolled in the lecture
portion of a P course.
Program Assessment:
The University Studies Program encourages a variety of assessment techniques. These
may include:
1. Written course exams.
2. Surveys of course assignments (such as a 3-day nutrition log, a case study paper, a
family history paper, or a personal fitness program).
3. A survey of student moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during physical
activity sessions (using heart rate monitors/accelerometers/pedometers).
4. A survey of student MVPA outside physical activity sessions (a 5-day activity log for
energy expenditure).
5. Participation in a post-graduate survey questionnaire.
Process:
Using the University Studies Program criteria and outcomes, a sub-committee of three
selected from the membership of the University Studies Committee will evaluate each
course submitted for credit within the Physical Activity and Health (P) category and will
make recommendations to the full committee.
University Studies Program
Criteria Review Sheet
Physical Activity and Health (P)
Physical activity for health constitutes one of the major components of a healthy
lifestyle and general health promotion and protection. The knowledge and experience
gained from the wellness and physical activity course will enable students to make
informed decisions about their own health as it relates to their quality of life and
longevity. At the end of the course students should be capable of demonstrating
knowledge of and competency in:
1. the components of health-related fitness;
2. developing a personal health-related fitness program;
3. the areas of nutrition, cardiovascular health, diseases related to physical activity,
stress management, substance use and abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases;
4. the health-related benefits of physical activity and risks associated with physical
inactivity;
5. the principles specific to attaining and maintaining good health and fitness throughout
the lifespan; and
6. participation in physical activities that are self-paced at target heart rates of moderate
to vigorous intensity.
For more information on P courses, please see general USP category descriptions.
Course Prefix & Number:
Credit hours:
Course Title:
Please attach a detailed course syllabus that includes the objectives or outcomes for the
course and the means to assess the extent that students reach them.
List any prerequisites:
1. Using information from the syllabus, please describe how this course meets the
learning goals (outcomes) and criteria for the P category.
A. How will students examine the components of health-related fitness?
B. How will students demonstrate their competency in developing a personal
health-related fitness program?
C. How will students examine the basics of nutrition, cardiovascular health,
diseases related to physical activity, stress management, substance use and
abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases?
D. Are the students asked to examine the health-related benefits of physical
activity and risks associated with physical inactivity?
E. How will students examine the principles specific to attaining and
maintaining good health and fitness throughout the lifespan?
F. In what physical activities, self-paced at target heart rates of moderate to
vigorous intensity, will students participate?
G. Describe the one scheduled session per week (minimum) devoted to
physical activity that requires students to engage in physical activities that
are self-paced at target heart rates of MVPA intensity?
i. What evidence will be used to verify students are participating in
MVPA?
2.
Explain how the assessment method(s) used for this course demonstrate student
achievement of the learning outcomes for the P category. Explain how this
assessment might provide information that can be used to improve
accomplishment of desired learning outcomes.
3. What other factors should the committee consider?