EXSC 120 - Fundamentals of Strength and Conditioning

4 Credit: (3 lecture, 1 lab, 0 clinical) 4 Contact Hours:

1. Identify the acute and chronic benefits of engaging in exercise training.
2. Understand factors that can help maximize the benefits of engaging in exercise training.
3. Explain the research-based, government guidelines for how active various population groups should be to optimize the benefits of exercise training.
4. Describe the acute and chronic risks of engaging in exercise training.
5. Understand what factors contribute to the risks associated with exercise training, how likely they are, and how to minimize their likelihood and severity.

Goal 2: Explain the principles and methods of strength and conditioning.

1. Discuss various test options for assessing health-related fitness components including body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.
2. Analyze data collected for the health-related fitness components.
3. Outline some test options for assessing the skill-related physical fitness components including balance, agility, speed, power, coordination, and reaction time.
4. Analyze data collected for the skill-related fitness components.
5. Understand the importance of each of the health- and skill-related physical fitness components.
6. Describe the basics of the body’s energy systems and their role in exercise performance.

Goal 3: Apply concepts of program design and periodization.

1. Develop strength and conditioning programs based on individual health, fitness, and sport goals and needs.
2. Use principles such as overload, specificity, recovery, and individuality in strength and conditioning programming.
3. Incorporate progression, periodization, and competition schedule into strength and conditioning programs.
4. Design sport or activity programs appropriate for individuals or groups.

Goal 4: Demonstrate critical thinking and decision-making skills using evidence-based strength and conditioning programming.

1. Analyze factors such as age, health status, injury history, goals, interests and health-based exercise recommendations when designing strength and conditioning programs.
2. Incorporate current scientific guidelines and research into program design for diverse populations.
3. Address ethical issues, including client confidentiality, informed consent, and the importance of safety in strength and conditioning program design.

Goal 5: Develop professional skills in exercise testing and prescription.

1. Interact effectively with clients, including conducting assessments, using motivational strategies and coaching skills, interpreting results, and providing appropriate guidance and recommendations.
2. Express findings from strength and conditioning tests in written and oral communication.
3. Develop skills in reading and critically evaluating original research articles in order to understand and adapt to current practice in strength and conditioning programming.

Goal 6: Demonstrate exercise techniques in coaching skills.

1. Demonstrate proper form and technique for strength training exercises.
2. Correct errors in exercise form/technique.
3. Modify exercise programming for endurance, strength, power, and hypertrophy outcomes.
4. Understand modifications to exercise techniques to manage injury, functional limitations, and stages of learning/development.
5. Demonstrate proper spotting during various strength and conditioning exercises.