INTRODUCTION TO
EXERCISE SCIENCE
KNR 164
Self-reflection questions
1.
In your own words, how would you describe the field of exercise science?
2.
Why did you choose exercise science as a major?
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What previous experiences have lead to your interest in the field of
exercise science?
What personal qualities do you possess that you believe make exercise
science a good career choice?
What sort of careers might someone obtaining an exercise science degree
be prepared for?
What career path or paths are you considering? In other words, what are
your career objectives/goals? [Think in terms of what you plan to be
doing: (a) right after graduation, (b) 5 years post graduation, (c) 10+ years
post graduation.]
What types of experiences do you think will help you achieve your
objectives/goals?
Self-reflection questions
8.
9.
What sort of knowledge, skills, and abilities do you think will be important to
develop in order to successfully meet your career objectives/goals?
How do you think an exercise science degree from ISU will help you achieve your
objectives/goals? In other words, what do you want to get out of the program and
what should the degree do for you?
10.
What specific questions are you interesting in answering through your classes and
experiences while at ISU (e.g., What is the most effective training protocol to
build muscular strength and endurance in high school athletes?)?
11.
Beyond your basic degree requirements, what other steps/actions do you plan to
take to help achieve your objectives/goals?
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
to all human 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 sub
disciplines
“movement” is explored scientifically from every
conceivable vantage point through the sub
disciplines
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.
6.
7.
philosophy of physical activity
history of physical activity
sociology of physical activity
motor behavior
exercise and sport psychology
biomechanics
physiology of physical activity
According to Hoffman ( 2009)
Subdisciplines of ES (Kinesiology)
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
According to Brown (2001)
Subdisciplines of ES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
exercise physiology and biochemistry
biomechanics
motor learning and control
sports medicine
exercise and sport psychology
Other Distinctions (e.g.,
Kamen, 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
History and Growth of ES


readings describes some prominent figures and
periods in development of ES
most argue that ES as a distinct discipline really
begins to emerge in the 1960s and 1970s
 Table
1.1 (Brown, 2001)
 Figure 1.13 (Hoffman & Harris, 2000)
See next 2
slides
Growth in Kinesiology as an academic discipline

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/08/11/kinesiology
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 (e.g., paradigm
shift in Sidelight 19.2)
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





ISU general education requirements
kinesiology core
major coursework
professional practice (internships) experiences
cognate hours (see handout in Blackboard)
Exercise Science at ISU

Kinesiology Core (20 hrs.)
 KNR
180 – First aid
 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

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)
 Others (see internship site handout in blackboard)
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