EXSC 260 - Exercise Testing and Prescription

4 Credit: (3 lecture, 1 lab, 0 clinical) 4 Contact Hours: [EXSC 110 ]

This course will provide students with a foundational understanding of how to assess various components of physical fitness and design exercise programs for diverse populations. Students will learn the principles and techniques for conducting and interpreting outcomes of health-related fitness assessments including tests for body composition, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. Skill-related fitness components such as balance, agility, speed, power, coordination, and reaction time will also be covered. The course also covers the creation of individualized exercise prescriptions based on assessment results, considering factors such as age, fitness level, health status, and personal goals and needs. Emphasizing safety, effectiveness, and evidence-based practices, this course prepares students to develop exercise programs for a variety of settings, including fitness centers, clinical environments, and sports performance areas. Through theoretical learning, laboratory-based activities, and practical application, students will gain the skills needed to evaluate and guide exercise routines for optimal health and human performance outcomes. This course is designed for students interested in careers in health, fitness, wellness, sports science, or allied health fields.
Semesters Offered: Spring Semester

Course Goals/ Objectives/ Competencies:
Goal 1: Understand the benefits and risks of engaging in physical activity and exercise.

Discuss the acute and chronic benefits of engaging in physical activity.

Understand factors that can help maximize the benefits of engaging in physical activity.

Explain the research-based, government guidelines for how active various population groups should be to optimize the benefits of physical activity.

Describe the acute and chronic risks of engaging in physical activity.

Understand what factors contribute to the risks associated with physical activity, how likely they are, and how to minimize their likelihood and severity.

Goal 2: Explain the principles and methods of exercise testing.

Discuss various test options for assessing the health-related physical fitness components including body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.

Analyze data collected for the health-related fitness components.

Outline some test options for assessing the skill-related physical fitness components including balance, agility, speed, power, coordination, and reaction time.

Analyze data collected for the skill-related fitness components.

Understand the importance of each of the health- and skill-related physical fitness components.

Goal 3: Design safe, effective, and individualized exercise prescriptions.

Develop exercise prescriptions based on individual health, fitness, needs, and goals.

Develop exercise prescriptions focused on aerobic/endurance, resistance training, flexibility, and neuromotor outcomes.

Use principles such as overload, specificity, and individuality in exercise programming.

Incorporate progression and periodization into exercise prescriptions.

Goal 4: Demonstrate critical thinking and decision-making skills using evidence-based exercise prescription.

Analyze factors such as age, health status, goals, interests and health-based exercise recommendations when designing exercise prescriptions.

Incorporate current scientific guidelines and research into exercise assessment and program design for diverse populations.

Address ethical issues, including client confidentiality, informed consent, and the importance of safety in fitness testing and exercise program design.

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

Interact effectively with clients, including conducting assessments, interpreting results, and providing appropriate guidance and recommendations.
Express findings from fitness testing in written and oral communication.
Develop skills in reading and critically evaluating original research articles in order to understand and adapt to current practice in exercise testing and prescription.