INTRODUCTION TO
EXERCISE SCIENCE
KNR 164
A Profession Defined
(but not limited to)

Skill based on theoretical knowledge: Professionals are assumed to have extensive
theoretical knowledge (e.g. architecture, medicine, law, scripture) and to possess skills based
on that knowledge that they are able to apply in practice.

Professional association: Professions usually have professional bodies organized by their
members, which are intended to enhance the status of their members and have carefully
controlled entrance requirements.

Extensive period of education: The most prestigious professions usually require at least
three years at university.

Testing of competence: Before being admitted to membership of a professional body, there
is a requirement to pass prescribed examinations that are based on mainly theoretical
knowledge.

Institutional training: In addition to examinations, there is usually a requirement for a long
period of institutionalized training where aspiring professionals acquire specified practical
experience in some sort of trainee role before being recognized as a full member of a
professional body. Continuous upgrading of skills through professional development (CEU) is
also mandatory these days.
A Profession Defined
(but not limited to)

Licensed practitioners: Professions seek to establish a register or membership so that only
those individuals so licensed are recognized as bona fide.

Work autonomy: Professionals tend to retain control over their work, even when they are
employed outside the profession in commercial or public organizations. They have also
gained control over their own theoretical knowledge.

Code of professional conduct or ethics: Professional bodies usually have codes of conduct
or ethics for their members and disciplinary procedures for those who infringe the rules.

Self-regulation: Professional bodies tend to insist that they should be self-regulating and
independent from government. Professions tend to be policed and regulated by senior,
respected practitioners and the most highly qualified members of the profession,

Public service and altruism: The earning of fees for services rendered can be defended
because they are provided in the public interest, e.g. the work of doctors contributes to
public health.
Is ES a Profession?
Basic Definition of Exercise Science (ES)


ES is an academic discipline or field devoted to the
study and understanding of human movement
ES “refers to the application of science to the
phenomenon of exercise” (Brown, 2001, p. 6)
 exercise refers
primarily to voluntary and intentional
human movement (e.g., structured exercise, leisuretime and lifestyle physical activity, sport, skilled
movement)
 application of science refers to fact that ES uses
scientific principles from many parent disciplines and
rigorous scientific inquiry within sub disciplines to
develop knowledge about movement
Subdisciplines of ES




ES requires contributions from many subdisciplines
“movement” is explored scientifically from every
conceivable vantage point through the
subdisciplines
these are the “science” components of ES within
which the body of knowledge is described, studied,
and expanded
together this knowledge makes up ES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
exercise physiology and biochemistry
biomechanics
motor learning and control
sports medicine
exercise and sport psychology
Initial common subdisciplines of ES
Other Distinctions (e.g.,
Kamen, 2001)
Subdisciplines of ES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
exercise physiology
clinical exercise physiology
nutrition
motor control and learning
psychology
biomechanics
athletic training and sports medicine
According to Pottieger ( 2011)
Subdisciplines of ES (Kinesiology)
1.
exercise physiology
2.
sport nutrition
3.
epidemiology
4.
clinical exercise physiology
5.
clinical biomechanics
6.
sport biomechanics
7.
athletic training
8.
exercise and sport psych
9.
motor behavior
10.
sport history
11.
sport sociology
Current common subdisciplines of ES
According to Brown (2001)
Subdisciplines of ES
Important Points

no consensus on which sub disciplines count

other possible sub-disciplines include: sports
literature, sports art, exercise biochemistry, sports
physiology, sport pedagogy (physical education),
adapted physical education, sports management

key is that any area of study (discipline or sub
discipline) that can add to understanding of
movement is valuable to ES (see Figure 1-2)
Discipline Name?


debate over past 20 years about the proper name
for the field
examples include:
 exercise and
sport sciences
 movement sciences
 kinesiology
 exercise science
 human performance
 movement and sport sciences
Organization at Illinois State University
School of Kinesiology and Recreation
Majors:
• Athletic Training
• Exercise Science
• Physical Education
Teacher Education (PETE)
Major:
• Recreation and Park
Administration (RPA)
Sequences (within RPA):
• Recreation Management
• Therapeutic Recreation
Exercise Science vs. Physical Education
Exercise Science

Physical Education
Discipline devoted to
the scientific study of
human movement

Discipline devoted to
investigating how the
teaching process can
be most effectively
used to acquire motor
skills
Illustration of Differences
JTPE vs. MSSE vs. RQES
Important Points



sister disciplines
both interested in
movement
distinct research topics
Important Points – adaptation/growth

Adaptation:
 ES
as a whole and the individual subdisciplines are
constantly undergoing change (e.g., sport and exercise
psychology)

Growth:
 emerging
consensus of physical activity as a key
“health behavior” should benefit field
Exercise Science as a Profession


characteristic of an occupation
workers in a “professional” role…
1.
2.
3.
4.

master complex skills that are grounded in and guided by
systematic theory and research
perform services for others known as clients or patients
are granted a monopoly by the community to supply
certain services to its members
are guided by formal and informal ethical codes intended
to preserve the health and well-being of the clients
ranges on a continuum
Exercise Science as a Profession

Criteria for a “profession”
 intellectual
pursuit and responsible actions
 knowledge base derived from science and research
 practice involves the use of practical skills – not solely
academic skills
 representative professional organization
 high level of communication within members of good
standing
 altruism
Flexner as cited in Brown (2001)
ES Professionals Should Know…





what a profession is
the type of work professionals do
how one gains entry to and acceptance in a
profession
the obligations of professionals
the most important factors to consider in
preparing for a career in the ES–related professions
Training Exercise Science Professionals





typically within liberal arts and sciences
course work in physical activity
course work in theoretical and applied theoretical
knowledge in exercise science and kinesiology
course work in professional practice knowledge
and skills for particular professions
internship experiences at the worksite
Exercise Science at ISU - History




Was part of physical education.
First appeared as a sequence called Fitness
Leadership
Then became sequence called Exercise Science and
Fitness
Finally in 2003, became stand alone Exercise
Science major.
Exercise Science at ISU
(until Fall 2014)





ISU general education requirements
kinesiology core
major coursework
professional practice (internships) experiences
cognate hours
Exercise Science at ISU

Kinesiology Core (20 hrs.)
 KNR
181 – Human anatomy and physiology – I
 KNR 182 – Human anatomy and physiology – II
 KNR 240 – Principles and applications of fitness
 KNR 254 – Social-psychological perspectives of PA
 KNR 257 – Motor learning and performance
 KNR 280 – Exercise physiology
 KNR 282 – Biomechanics of human movement
Exercise Science at ISU

Major Course Work (18 hrs.)
KNR 164 – Introduction to exercise science
 KNR 154.40 – Stress management instructional methods
 KNR 285 – Resistance training instructional methods
 KNR 286 – Group exercise instructional methods
 KNR 307 – Exercise in health and disease
 KNR 308 – Exercise programming
 KNR 309 – Principles & techniques in physiological testing
 KNR 310 – Fitness management

Exercise Science at ISU

Major Course Work – Professional Practice
 KNR
298.10 – Professional Practice (2 hrs)
 general
students
 pre-professional students
 KNR
378.10 – Seminar in Professional Practice (2 hrs)
 KNR 398.11 – Professional Practice Internship (10 hrs)
 general
students
 pre-professional students
Exercise Science at ISU
(starting in Fall 2014)
Exercise Science at ISU

Practical Experience
Exercise Science at ISU

Examples of Senior Internship Sites
 Steadman-Hawkins
Clinic (Vail, Frisco, CO)
 Institute for Aerobics Research (Cooper Institute,
Dallas TX)
 Kennedy Space Center (Orlando, FL)
 Sears, Kraft, East Bank Health Clubs
 Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs
 US Olympic Training Center (Colorado Springs, CO)
 American Heart Association (Dallas, TX, & others)
Exercise Science at ISU

Cognate Area (15 hrs.)
 Pre-professional
(PT, OT, Chiropractic)
 Biomechanics
 Clinical
(diseased populations)
 Nutrition
 Sport and exercise psychology
 Technology
 Administration/Business
 Aging
 Research
Disciplinary vs. Professional Concerns
Disciplinary Concerns
Exercise Science Discipline
Development of facts, theories,
principles, and laws
Exercise Science Professions
Provides questions, problems,
observations, needs, and
confirmations
Professional Concerns


Discipline – function is to develop a coherent body of
knowledge that describes, explains, and predicts key
phenomenon
Profession – function is to improve conditions of society by
providing regulated services in accordance with the
knowledge available from one or more disciplines