Campus Location:
Wilmington
Course Number and Title:
EXS 230 – Health Fitness Instruction
Prerequisite:
EXS 135, ENG 102
Course Credits and Hours:
4 Credits
3 Lecture hours/week
2 Lab hours/week
Course Description:
This course presents the information covered in the American
College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health/Fitness Specialist
certification examination. Methods to assess, design, and implement
individual and group exercise and fitness programs for apparently
healthy individuals and individuals with controlled disease are
examined. Case studies and coordinated laboratory activities are an
integral part of this course.
Required Text(s):
Obtain current text book information at
https://www.dtcc.edu/student-resources/bookstores or
www.dtcc.edu/allschedules or by visiting the bookstore. You will
need to know the course number and section.
Additional Materials:
Exercise Science Program Manual
Allied Health/Science Department Policy Manual
Method of Instruction:
Face-to-Face
Disclaimer:
Effective Date: 2014-51
Core Course Performance Objectives:
1. Describe and employ the current state of fitness in America and the American College of
Sports Medicine code of ethics. (CCC 2, 4; PGC 1, 8, 9)
2. Differentiate appropriate entry-level behavior patterns consistent with employer and
professional association guidelines. (CCC 2, 3, 4; PGC 1, 4, 7)
3. Discuss the general principles and scientific foundations for exercise fitness evaluations and
prescription plans. (CCC 3, 4, 5, 7; PGC 7, 8)
4. Analyze the components of a pre-exercise physical fitness screening. (CCC 2, 7; PGC 1, 2,
7)
5. Describe, perform, and evaluate cardiovascular assessments to appraise cardiopulmonary
fitness, and develop appropriate aerobic exercise prescription plans. (CCC 1, 2, 5, 6, 7; PGC
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10)
6. Describe, perform, and evaluate muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body
composition to develop appropriate exercise prescription plans. (CCC 1, 2, 5, 6, 7; PGC 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10)
7. Perform a nutritional and body analysis on a client, and prepare suggestions for
modifications to the diet and conditioning program to enhance and optimize physical
performance. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; PGC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10)
8. Design and revise safe and effective individualized aerobic exercise prescription plans based
upon pre-exercise screenings for apparently healthy and special populations. (CCC 3, 4, 5;
PGC 7, 8, 10)
9. Perform and interpret data from various protocols used in clinical settings to evaluate fitness
performance. (CCC 2, 6, 7; PGC 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10)
10. Demonstrate appropriately the components of professional behaviors as applied in the
classroom and lab activities. (CCC 3, 4; PGC 1, 5)
See Core Curriculum Competencies (CCC) and Program Graduate Competencies (PGC) at the
end of the syllabus. Course objectives are coded to the competency(cies) they develop.
Measurable Performance Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student will:
1.
Describe and employ the current state of fitness in America and the American College of
Sports Medicine code of ethics.
1.1
Describe the major events of the modern day fitness movement.
1.2
Discuss the current activity levels of American adults.
1.3
Discuss the current state of youth fitness.
1.4
Describe strategies for increasing physical activity.
2.
Differentiate appropriate entry-level behavior patterns consistent with employer and
professional association guidelines.
2.1
Describe the relationship of physical activity to health and quality of life.
2.2
Describe the elements, goals, and behaviors of total fitness and a healthy life.
2.3
Identify the short- and long-term benefits associated with fitness.
2.4
Describe the risks associated with exercise testing and participation.
2.5
Describe and define the goals and components of health, fitness, and performance.
2.6
List the factors that are important in setting an individual’s fitness goals.
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10
3.
Describe various health appraisal and screening methods used prior to testing or
prescription of moderate and/or vigorous intensity exercise.
List the conditions, test results, and signs and symptoms that may indicate the
need for special attention during exercise.
Describe the proper logical sequence of fitness tests.
Describe the characteristics of a good exercise leader.
Discuss the general principles and scientific foundations for exercise fitness evaluations
and prescription plans.
3.1
Describe how variations in dosage are used for health benefits.
3.2
Discuss the concepts of overload and specificity as they relate to training
programs.
3.3
Discuss the value of balancing a walking program’s duration and intensity to
improve enjoyment and adherence.
3.4
Describe the appropriate beginning goals for people using exercise equipment.
3.5
Describe a circuit training program using aerobic and strength equipment.
3.6
Discuss various motivational strategies for beginning and continuing exercise
programs.
3.7
Describe the transtheoretical model and stages involved in health behavior
change.
3.8
Discuss strategies that can be used to monitor and support behavior change.
3.9
Explain the effects of arm versus leg exercise on blood pressure.
3.10 Explain the effects of cessation of fitness programs for muscles, metabolism, and
the cardiovascular system.
3.11 Describe the effect of temperature, humidity, altitude, and pollution on exercise.
3.12 Describe how validity and accuracy of testing affects interpretation and utilization
of data to develop a fitness program.
4. Analyze the components of a pre-exercise physical fitness screening.
4.1
Describe the three categories of health status used by the American College of
Sports Medicine (ACSM).
4.2
List and describe the significance of the components of a medical/health status
questionnaire for screening prior to exercise.
4.3
Use the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire [PAR-Q] for screening prior to
submaximal, moderate, and gently progressive exercise.
4.4
Describe the guidelines for medical examination prior to, and physician
supervision during, exercise testing.
4.5
Describe the evaluation process used for determining when exercise should begin
and at what level [VO2max] with each of the following types of individuals
a.
apparently healthy individuals
b.
individuals at increased risk
c.
individuals with disease
4.6
Describe absolute contraindications and relative contraindications for exercise and
exercise testing in out-of-hospital settings.
4.7
Describe the importance of informed consent forms prior to graded exercise
testing, physical fitness tests, and fitness programs.
4.8
4.9
Compare and contrast the YMCA, Canadian standardized test of fitness [CSTF],
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
(AAHPERD), and FITNESSGRAM physical fitness tests.
List and describe the ACSM emergency procedures.
5.
Describe, perform, and evaluate cardiovascular assessments to appraise cardiopulmonary
fitness, and develop appropriate aerobic exercise prescription plans.
5.1
Describe procedures for walking and jogging/running field tests.
5.2
Describe the ACSM’s general guidelines for a cardiorespiratory fitness program,
including warm-up, stretching, and cool-down.
5.3
Discuss the physiological benefits and ACSM recommendations of a warm-up
prior to stretching and strenuous exercise.
5.4
Describe the ACSM standards for frequency, intensity, and time of exercise [FIT]
as they apply to aerobic exercise prescription and the improvement of VO2max.
5.5
Describe and calculate training heart rate using the Karvonen formula.
5.6
Compare and contrast exercise prescriptions for the general public, the fit
population, and persons with graded exercise test results.
5.7
Distinguish the guidelines for moderate intensity exercise programs and those for
improving functional capacity.
5.8
Classify resting blood pressures for normal, high normal, and hypertensive
individuals.
5.9
Describe and perform the proper technique for taking blood pressure
measurements at rest and during exercise.
5.10 Compare and contrast various populations with respect to their changes in heart
rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, VO2max, systolic pressure, and oxygen
extraction during a graded exercise test.
5.11 Describe the procedures and variables measured when using treadmills, cycle
ergometers, and bench steps as instruments to use in maximal and submaximal
graded exercise tests.
5.12 Describe the significance of the “seated cool down” following a 12-lead exercise
stress test.
5.13 Use the ACSM equations to calculate VO2max, metabolic equivalency of task
(MET), and caloric expenditure based upon field tests for cardiovascular fitness.
5.14 Describe the heart rate extrapolation procedures to estimate VO2max when using
submaximal treadmill, cycle, and bench stepgraded exercise tests.
6.
Describe, perform, and evaluate muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body
composition to develop appropriate exercise prescription plans.
6.1
Discuss the physiological adaptations associated with strength training in males
and females.
6.2
Describe the maturational changes in bone and muscle as people age.
6.3
Describe the theories of delayed onset muscle soreness and over-training.
6.4
Review the differences between fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibers.
6.5
Identify, describe, and perform field tests to evaluate muscular endurance.
6.6
List the factors that affect, and describe the relationships among , flexibility,
range of motion, and low back function.
6.7
6.8
6.9
6.10
6.11
6.12
6.13
6.14
6.15
6.16
6.17
6.18
6.19
6.20
6.21
Describe the pluses and minuses of the sit-and-reach test.
Explain the principles of overload, specificity, warm-up and cool-down,
progression, and rest and how they relate to resistance training.
Compare and contrast training programs used for strength gains, size gains,
maintenance, and bone mass regulation.
Describe how the anatomical limitations of range of motion are a factor when
prescribing flexibility exercises.
Compare and contrast ectomorphic, mesomorphic, and endomorphic body types.
Assess the advantages and disadvantages of various body composition techniques.
Compare past and present height-weight tables.
Describe the proper procedures for taking height and weight measurements.
Describe the body mass index and its effectiveness in determining weight
problems.
Describe and perform the proper procedures used to take skinfold measurements
for males and females.
Describe the proper technique for determining body fat by hydrostatic weighing.
Describe and be able to interpret anthropometric readings.
Describe the concepts for determining body fat by bioelectrical impedance.
Explain the use of waist-to-hip circumference [WHR] to determine topography of
the human body.
Perform and evaluate a pre-exercise questionnaire, body composition analysis, sitand-reach flexibility, sit-up test, push-up test, and grip strength test, and design a
safe and effective exercise prescription plan.
7.
Perform a nutritional and body analysis on a client, and prepare suggestions for
modifications to the diet and conditioning program to enhance and optimize physical
performance.
7.1
Describe the components of the female athlete triad.
7.2
Identify the common measurement sites for skinfolds and girths.
7.3
Describe how to calculate target body weights.
7.4
Describe the typical changes in body composition that occur with aging.
7.5
Identify the factors that contribute to obesity.
7.6
Discuss the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and benefits of exercise in obese
individuals.
7.7
Describe the guidelines, goals, and role of exercise for proper weight loss, gain,
and maintenance.
7.8
Describe the efficacy of quick fix weight loss methods.
7.9
Describe the signs and types of eating disorders.
8.
Design and revise safe and effective individualized aerobic exercise prescription plans
based upon pre-exercise screenings for apparently healthy and special populations.
8.1
Describe safety and clothing considerations for walking, jogging, flexibility, and
strength training.
8.2
Explain the rationale for the modifications of exercise prescription for children,
the elderly, and pregnant women.
8.3
Describe how stress affects the body and how physical activity may affect stress.
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9
Describe ways to minimize risk of injury during exercise, including problems
associated with the vertebral column, lumbosacral joints, and knee joint.
Discuss the signs, symptoms, and treatment of soft tissue injuries, low back
injury, and bone.
Discuss the signs, symptoms, and management of common cardiopulmonary and
orthopedic complications that occur with exercise.
Discuss common prescription medications used for treatment of cardiovascular
disease and the impact of these medications on exercise.
Identify the risk factors for coronary heart disease.
Perform and evaluate a pre-exercise questionnaire, 12-lead resting
electrocardiogram (ECG), 12-lead exercise ECG with rate of perceived exertion
(RPE), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) determined at the end of each
stage, and design a safe and effective exercise prescription plan.
9. Perform and interpret data from various protocols used in clinical settings to evaluate
fitness performance
9.1
Plan and prepare a safe and effective exercise prescription plan based upon the
results of a complete fitness evaluation.
9.2
Demonstrate how to calibrate a motor driven treadmill, cycle ergometer, and
sphygmomanometer.
9.2
Perform anaerobic power and capacity measurements.
9.3
Describe the importance and procedures used for pulmonary function testing.
9.4
Describe the measurement of oxygen uptake and energy expenditure.
9.5
Obtain a blood pressure reading on a resting and an exercising patient within a 5
mM range of the instructor’s systolic and diastolic reading, given all necessary
equipment.
9.6
Perform various submaximal and maximal testing procedures.
9.7
Develop exercise prescription plans based upon pre-exercise screenings, ECG
readings, and VO2 measurements.
9.8
Use the ACSM equations for walking, cycling, stepping, and arm ergometry to
estimate the oxygen cost and energy expenditure in terms of L/min, kcal/min,
ml/kg/min, METs, and kcal/kg/hr.
10.
Demonstrate appropriately the components of professional behaviors as applied in the
classroom and lab activities.
10.1 Demonstrate professional behaviors and attributes of the Professional Behaviors
tool.
10.2 Self assess professional behaviors, and modify accordingly.
10.3 Adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
regulations.
10.4 Demonstrate ability to maintain equipment, supplies, and testing area in good
order.
Evaluation Criteria/Policies:
Students will demonstrate proficiency on all Core Course Performance Objectives at least to the
75 percent level to successfully complete the course. The grade will be determined using the
College Grading System:
92 – 100
83 – 91
75 – 82
0 – 74
=
=
=
=
A
B
C
F
Students should refer to the Student Handbook for information on Academic Standing Policy,
Academic Honesty Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to
their academic progress.
Core Curriculum Competencies: (The competencies every graduate will develop)
1.
Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
2.
Demonstrate effective problem solving and reasoning skills.
3.
Work effectively in groups of people from diverse backgrounds.
4.
Demonstrate ethical and professional understanding and conduct.
5.
Apply appropriate information literacy skills to locate, evaluate, and use information
effectively.
6.
Use computer technology appropriate to the field.
7.
Use scientific and mathematical reasoning appropriate to the technology.
Program Graduate Competencies: (The competencies every graduate will develop specific
to his/her major.)
1.
Integrate professional behaviors in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner within the
exercise science delivery system.
2.
Perform appropriate measurement and assessment techniques to assist in evaluating a
client’s status for proper exercise prescription plans.
3.
Prescribe and implement a comprehensive exercise prescription plan based upon preexercise screenings.
4.
Communicate effectively with clients about their progress.
5.
Modify existing exercise prescription plans based upon routinely scheduled reevaluations of clients.
6.
Document relevant aspects of client treatment.
7.
Demonstrate effective written, oral, and nonverbal communication skills with clients,
their families, colleagues, health care providers, and the public.
8.
Communicate knowledge by participating in the teaching and explaining of exercise
science concepts to clients, colleagues and the public.
9.
Recognize the importance of continued development of knowledge and skills through the
practice of reading professional literature and attending continuing education activities.
10.
Demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge to aspects of clinical practice, as
required of an entry-level Certified Exercise Science technologist.