Science of Exercise from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

The Energetics of Exercise

In this module you will learn about the various metabolic pathways (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) that are activated in order to supply the necessary energy required for the mechanical work of skeletal muscles during exercise. How these pathways are regulated, the methods for assessing the extent to which specific fuels are being utilized and the overall estimation of your metabolic rate will be addressed. Additionally, the importance of the chemical energy stored in ATP and its requirement for muscular work will be discussed.

Physiological Systems During Exercise

In this module you will learn how a number of key physiological systems (muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine and immune systems) are regulated during exercise to help maintain homeostasis. These adjustments are critical for exercise to continue for any significant duration. This will include: how the respiratory system adjusts during exercise to ensure proper oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal from active muscles; how the cardiovascular system responds to ensure adequate blood flow to various organs, including muscle, during exercise; how the endocrine system plays a major role in regulating key biochemical and physiological responses to exercise and; how exercise influences the immune system and your ability to fight infections.

Exercise for Fitness & Performance

This module will teach you about the training guidelines needed to optimize your endurance and strength adaptations associated with a regular exercise program. Important nutritional requirements for both endurance and strength training will be addressed. The causes of both muscle soreness and fatigue will be explained. Finally, the effectiveness and mechanisms whereby performance enhancing drugs exert their effect will be covered.

Exercise in Health, Wellness and Disease

In this module you will learn about the role of exercise as medicine in both the prevention and treatment of various diseases. This will include: the contribution of diet and exercise in weight control including the prevention and treatment of obesity; the many health benefits from participation in a regular exercise program related to major risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and cancer will be addressed. Finally, the benefits of exercise associated with healthy aging and brain function will be discussed.

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Examines the physical stress of exercise and its impact on the body, delving into topics like muscle soreness, fatigue, and the effectiveness of performance enhancing drugs

Emphasizes the importance of nutrition in exercise, exploring the role of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in supplying energy during physical activity

Explores the physiological adjustments required for proper responses to exercise, covering topics like respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, and muscular systems

Provides practical applications through active learning assessments, including nutrition logs, heart rate monitoring, and calculations of caloric expenditure and BMI

Investigates the scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of exercise, considering its role in preventing and treating conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, depression, and dementia

Taught by Robert Mazzeo, Ph.D., an expert in exercise physiology

Reviews summary

Exercise physiology explained

learners say this is an engaging course that provides a thoughtful overview of how the body responds to exercise. Key takeaways include: * The science behind how exercise affects the body, including the physiological adaptations that occur in response to different types of exercise. * The importance of exercise for overall health and well-being, and how it can help prevent and treat chronic diseases. * How to design an effective exercise program that meets your individual needs and goals. According to students, the course is well-structured and easy to follow, with clear explanations and helpful visuals. The instructor is knowledgeable and engaging, and the course materials are well-organized and informative. Overall, learners say this is a great course for anyone who wants to learn more about the science of exercise and how it can benefit their health.

The course is well-structured and easy to follow, with clear explanations and helpful visuals.

"Excellent course that presents the most important basics of exercise and physical training. The videos and the transcripts are available for download which makes it easier for taking notes and extracting the important parts. I am very pleased with this course and highly recommend it."

"The course content and syllabus was exceptional. As a physical education profession, it was very useful to me and I learnt a lot out this course. My extreme appreciation to the coordinators of this course. Kindly intimate me such course in future."

The course provides a comprehensive overview of exercise physiology, including topics such as energy metabolism, muscle function, the cardiovascular system, and the respiratory system.

"I got a bunch of information regarding exercise, really a must do course for all. Thanks alot to the tutor. Knowing the physiological changes occuring during exercise itself is a great motivator to do regular exercise"

"This course gave me a lot of insights on how different types of training affect the human body differently, rather, how the body responds to different kinds of training. Gained some knowledge regarding nutrition aspects that is necessary to our body while exercising."

"This is a great source of information on how our bodies respond to and benefit from different forms of exercise. Well explained and informative."

Exercise has numerous benefits for health, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.

"I learned a lot about the basic mechanisms of the body that allow us to convert food into energy to create movement, the effects of exercise on the body as it adapts to difficult tasts, and the benefits of an active lifestyle."

"The course is really imformative and the video lectures of really high quality regarding the knowledge you can gain from them. It is a really useful tool for both an individual that wants to help himself through better knowledge of how to train and a professional who wants to be better at his job as a trainer."

"I am due to start a personal training and nutrition course later this year, so I was interested to complete some online courses before starting that qualification. This course was super interesting, yet challenging. I really learned a lot from it and believe it will give me a great foundation for my PT and nutrition course."

Exercise causes adaptations in the body, including increased muscle mass, improved cardiovascular function, and enhanced metabolic efficiency.

"The course more than reinforced some of the practices I have learned in the past 10 years. For anyone who enjoys distance racing - i.e. half and full marathons this is excellent."

"I found it challenging but thoroughly enjoyed gaining a deeper insight to the science of exercise. I think a few more examples would allow for deeper understanding. Highly recommend this course. Thank you."

The final assignment was confusing and unclear, making it difficult for students to know what was expected of them.

"The discussion forums were not helpful. No real exchange of info and very old posts by the course mentors. The final course peer assessment was a waste."

"As well, it was not clear in the syllabus as well. As I graded my classmate there was different format, hard to find the information, font size was different, maximum word allowed some students only did 179 words. It can improve by providing these instruction either in the syllabus or in the assignment."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Science of Exercise with these activities:

Organize and review course materials regularly

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Establish a structured approach to reviewing course materials to enhance retention and recall.

Browse courses on Note-Taking

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Organize lecture notes, readings, and assignments in a logical manner.
Review materials regularly, focusing on key concepts and connections.
Create summaries or flashcards to reinforce understanding.
Discuss key concepts with classmates or the instructor.

Read 'Exercise Physiology' by William D. McArdle

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Review the fundamentals of exercise physiology to gain a deeper understanding of the concepts covered in the course.

View Exercise Physiology: Nutrition, Energy, and... on Amazon

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Purchase the book or borrow it from the library.
Read chapters 1-5 to understand the basic principles of exercise physiology.
Take notes and highlight important concepts.
Discuss the book with classmates or the instructor.

Join a study group to discuss course concepts

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Collaborate with peers to enhance your understanding and retention of the course material.

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Identify classmates who are interested in forming a study group.
Schedule regular meetings to discuss assigned readings and concepts.
Take turns leading discussions and presenting summaries.
Create a shared document or online forum for sharing notes and resources.

Four other activities

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Perform cardiovascular exercises

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Engage in cardiovascular exercises to experience firsthand the physiological adaptations discussed in the course.

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Choose an activity you enjoy, such as running, swimming, or cycling.
Start with a short duration and gradually increase the intensity and duration over time.
Monitor your heart rate and breathing to assess your progress.
Record your workouts in a journal.

Follow online tutorials on strength training

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Explore the principles and techniques of strength training to augment your understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Strength Training

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Search for reputable online platforms or fitness experts.
Choose tutorials that align with your fitness level and goals.
Follow the instructions and perform the exercises correctly.
Record your progress in a training log.

Write a blog post about the health benefits of exercise

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Summarize the scientific evidence presented in the course to reinforce your understanding of the positive impact of exercise on overall health and well-being.

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Research different health benefits of exercise.
Structure your blog post with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Write clear and concise content supported by reputable sources.
Proofread your blog post for grammar and clarity.
Share your blog post on social media or a personal website.

Create a presentation on the role of exercise in preventing or managing a specific health condition

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Synthesize your knowledge of exercise physiology and health to create a compelling presentation that highlights the importance of exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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Choose a specific health condition and research its relationship to exercise.
Identify the physiological mechanisms through which exercise can positively impact the condition.
Design a presentation that clearly explains the benefits of exercise and provides practical recommendations.
Practice your presentation and seek feedback from classmates or the instructor.
Deliver your presentation with confidence and enthusiasm.

Career center

Learners who complete Science of Exercise will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Exercise Physiologist

Exercise physiologists study and work with individuals to help them improve their physical fitness and overall health. The course Science of Exercise can help individuals interested in this career to understand the physiological responses to exercise, which will enable them to better develop and implement exercise plans for their clients. Additionally, the course covers topics such as nutrition and performance-enhancing drugs, which are also important considerations for exercise physiologists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Exercise Physiologist

Fitness Trainer

Fitness trainers help individuals achieve their fitness goals by developing and implementing personalized exercise programs. The course Science of Exercise can help fitness trainers gain a deeper understanding of the physiological principles of exercise, which will enable them to design more effective and safe exercise programs for their clients. Additionally, the course covers topics such as nutrition and performance-enhancing drugs, which can be important considerations for fitness trainers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fitness Trainer

Sports Nutritionist

Sports nutritionists provide nutrition counseling and guidance to athletes and individuals involved in physical activity. The course Science of Exercise can help individuals interested in this career to understand the nutritional requirements of athletes and individuals involved in physical activity, as well as how to develop and implement personalized nutrition plans. Additionally, the course covers topics such as the role of exercise in disease prevention and treatment, which can be important considerations for sports nutritionists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sports Nutritionist

Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers work with athletes and individuals involved in physical activity to prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries. The course Science of Exercise can help individuals interested in this career to understand the physiological responses to exercise and the causes of muscle soreness and fatigue, which will enable them to better prevent and treat injuries. Additionally, the course covers topics such as nutrition and performance-enhancing drugs, which can be important considerations for athletic trainers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Athletic Trainer

Health Educator

Health educators develop and implement educational programs and materials to promote health and wellness. The course Science of Exercise can help individuals interested in this career to understand the health benefits of exercise and how to motivate individuals to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. Additionally, the course covers topics such as the role of exercise in disease prevention and treatment, which can be important considerations for health educators.

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Personal Trainer

Personal trainers work with individuals to help them achieve their fitness goals. The course Science of Exercise can help personal trainers gain a deeper understanding of the physiological principles of exercise, which will enable them to design more effective and safe exercise programs for their clients. Additionally, the course covers topics such as nutrition and performance-enhancing drugs, which can be important considerations for personal trainers.

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Group Fitness Instructor

Group fitness instructors teach group fitness classes to individuals of all ages and abilities. The course Science of Exercise can help individuals interested in this career to understand the physiological benefits of group fitness and how to safely and effectively teach group fitness classes. Additionally, the course covers topics such as nutrition and the role of exercise in disease prevention and treatment, which can be important considerations for group fitness instructors.

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Yoga Instructor

Yoga instructors teach yoga classes to individuals of all ages and abilities. The course Science of Exercise can help individuals interested in this career to understand the physiological benefits of yoga and how to safely and effectively teach yoga poses. Additionally, the course covers topics such as nutrition and the role of exercise in disease prevention and treatment, which can be important considerations for yoga instructors.

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Pilates Instructor

Pilates instructors teach Pilates classes to individuals of all ages and abilities. The course Science of Exercise can help individuals interested in this career to understand the physiological benefits of Pilates and how to safely and effectively teach Pilates exercises. Additionally, the course covers topics such as nutrition and the role of exercise in disease prevention and treatment, which can be important considerations for Pilates instructors.

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Dance Instructor

Dance instructors teach dance classes to individuals of all ages and abilities. The course Science of Exercise can help individuals interested in this career to understand the physiological benefits of dance and how to safely and effectively teach dance moves. Additionally, the course covers topics such as nutrition and the role of exercise in disease prevention and treatment, which can be important considerations for dance instructors.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists help people who have difficulty performing everyday activities due to injury, illness, or disability. The course Science of Exercise can help individuals interested in this career to understand the physiological principles of movement and how to apply this knowledge to help people improve their functional abilities. Additionally, the course covers topics such as nutrition and the role of exercise in disease prevention and treatment, which can be important considerations for occupational therapists.

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Kinesiologist

Kinesiologists study human movement and use this knowledge to help people improve their physical function, prevent injuries, and manage chronic conditions. The course Science of Exercise can help individuals interested in this career to understand the physiological principles of movement and how to apply this knowledge to improve movement patterns. Additionally, the course covers topics such as nutrition and performance-enhancing drugs, which can be important considerations for kinesiologists.

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Physical Therapist

Physical therapists help people who have difficulty moving due to injury, illness, or disability. The course Science of Exercise can help individuals interested in this career to understand the physiological principles of movement and how to apply this knowledge to help people improve their mobility. Additionally, the course covers topics such as nutrition and the role of exercise in disease prevention and treatment, which can be important considerations for physical therapists.

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Registered Dietitian

Registered dietitians provide nutrition counseling and guidance to individuals and groups. The course Science of Exercise can help individuals interested in this career to understand the nutritional requirements of individuals involved in physical activity and how to develop and implement personalized nutrition plans. Additionally, the course covers topics such as the role of exercise in disease prevention and treatment, which can be important considerations for registered dietitians.

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Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat human diseases and injuries. The course Science of Exercise may be helpful to individuals interested in this career, as it can help them to understand the physiological responses to exercise and the role of exercise in disease prevention and treatment. Additionally, the course covers topics such as nutrition and performance-enhancing drugs, which can be important considerations for physicians.

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