An introduction to the discipline of exercise science and the understanding of physical activity that can be acquired through experience, scholarly study and professional practice. Students will explore the health, exercise and sport sciences, including history and philosophy, athletic training, physical education, exercise and sport psychology, motor behavior, biomechanics, assessment, professional organizations, certifications, and professional issues. Students will have opportunities to assess personal career interests, skills and goals.
Students will develop an understanding of the concepts of human performance as it applies to the athletic populations. This will principally include all aspects of strength training, speed and agility training, power development and will also include application of selected principles of exercise prescription/fitness testing and integration of relevant psychological motivational techniques used to enhance optimum human performance development. Lectures and laboratory sessions will be incorporated to promote hands-on knowledge of human performance development techniques.
Major concepts and principles fundamental to development of motor behavior will be explored. Factors such as aging, maturation, socialization, and growth will be examined in the context of their contribution to motor skills development.
Students on an F-1 visa are eligible to work off campus to provide additional experience so long as the employment relates directly to the student's major area of study. The practical experience gained outside the traditional classroom supplements the theoretical and/or applied knowledge as a part of the student's coursework. The registration process for this course must be completed every term (including summers), as students must have their work authorization reissued each term to ensure continued enrollment. Jobs must be approved and verified by the International Programs Office before work may begin.
This course will inform the future sport or fitness coach about the scientific issues related to exercise physiology. Students will study the science of exercise and will collect, analyze, and interpret physiological data and apply this information to properly prescribe sport and exercise programs.
Natural Science Core course.
This course will provide a Costa Rican cultural experience related to human health in Costa Rica. Costa Rica offers diverse opportunities where students will have the opportunity to apply concepts of Exercise Science in a 3rd world country where organized health and wellness is viewed from a different perspective than South Dakota. Students will study Costa Rican health and wellness culture using concepts from kinesiology, biomechanics, and nutrition to physical activities such as swimming, soccer, surfing, hiking, zip lining, and mountain biking. Significant time will be spent with the local soccer (futbol) associations and other in-country sport organizations.
Exercise Physiology is the science that looks at the effects of acute and chronic exercise on the functions of the human body. Lecture/discussion and laboratory sessions will be used to examine basic physiological principles and to demonstrate their applications to training for athletic performance and physical fitness. This course includes 2 hours of laboratory work each week.
This course is an introduction to the science of human movement. The course will increase students' knowledge and exposure to the structural and functional components of human anatomy including musculoskeletal origins, insertions, actions and innervations. By understanding kinesiology, participants will have the ability to analyze any exercise or sports activity and have the ability to indicate the muscle groups being primarily exercised, developed or rehabilitated.
Study of the physical laws affecting human movement performance with applications to exercise and sport skill techniques.
This course is designed for the junior/senior exercise science student. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of current topics in areas of sports medicine and exercise science. This course primarily involves research, writing, presenting and critiquing of various writing appropriate for professionals in the field of exercise and sport science.
This course provides techniques, procedures, and practical laboratory experience in aerobic, strength, flexibility, blood pressure and related measurements. The module development and presentation practice in this course serve as a synthesis of the prerequisite content courses.
This course will examine the scientific evidence supporting the correlation between physical activity and health; we will also discuss the theoretical basis of behavior change as it applies to promotion of exercise behavior. Guidelines and recommendations for prescribing exercise for apparently healthy individuals (including children, older adults and pregnant women) will be covered. Students will learn about the relationship between exercise and chronic disease through review of the risk factors, pathophysiology, and exercise recommendations for individuals with various conditions and disease states including, but not limited to, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, and orthopedic problems. Strategies for promoting the “Exercise is Medicine” global health initiative will be discussed.
Natural Science Core course
This course has been approved by the curriculum council. It is currently being offered for the first time. It is a requirement for Exercise Science Majors but could also be interesting to other non-majors (nursing, pre-med or other pre-professional majors)
Internship in Exercise Science.
Department Chair Approval.
This course focuses on the knowledge and skills needed for effective exercise leadership in both one-on-one and group settings. Students will learn about exercise prescription and program design, learning styles, strategies for teaching and motivation. Additionally, this course will explore the administrative aspects of fitness programming including program planning, marketing, personnel management, development of policies and procedures, and facility planning.