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The Science of Fitness

Kevin Netto, Luke Haseler, Daniel Gucciardi, Elissa Burton, Dale Chapman, Peter Edwards, and Carly Brade

Physical fitness is a concept familiar to many in modern society. There are numerous misconceptions about the usefulness of fitness and how it affects modern life. This course explores the constructs of human physical fitness, and gives learners a real-world approach to starting the journey of fitness.

Content regarding the scientifically researched benefits of fitness is presented along with known impediments to starting and continuing on a fitness journey.

The utility of appropriate nutrition, sleep and wellbeing is considered, as well as specific goal setting. Potential challenges to fitness such as injury and disability are also discussed.

This course encompasses an inclusive approach to fitness, with tips for people from diverse backgrounds, ability and age.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Develop a basic understanding of the construct of human fitness.
Understand the scientifically-based benefits of improving fitness.
Examine strategies to begin improving fitness.

Gain an appreciation of the barriers to improving fitness.
Identify challenges to improving fitness for diverse populations.
After completing this course, you will be able to:

Develop a basic understanding of the construct of human fitness.
Understand the scientifically-based benefits of improving fitness.
Examine strategies to begin improving fitness.
Gain an appreciation of the barriers to improving fitness.
Identify challenges to improving fitness for diverse populations.
After completing this course, you will be able to:

Syllabus

Module 1 – Why Fitness?Introduction to the construct of fitness as well as the scientifically-based benefits of being fit.

Module 2 – Get Me Off the Couch: Starting the journey of fitnessHow do we start improving fitness? What are some common and appropriate first steps and what stops us from commencing the journey?

Module 3 – Fuelling Fitness: Optimising and maintaining fitnessNutrition, rest and appropriate training strategies. What has been shown to work and why.

Module 4 – Being Fit for Work, Sport and Everyday LifeHow we include improving fitness to everyday life. What are the targeted benefits to physical and psychological wellbeing?

Module 5 – When the Going Gets Tough: Challenges to fitnessWhat stops us from progressing? How we can overcome some of these challenges.

Module 6 – Fitness for EveryoneThe inclusivity of improving fitness. How this benefits diverse populations, people of different abilities and ages.

Module 7 – Course SummaryThis conclusion module wraps up the course, summarising the content in the previous six modules.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches foundational concepts of physical fitness and their benefits

Provides strategies to initiate and maintain a fitness routine

Emphasizes the role of nutrition, sleep, and well-being in fitness

Discusses challenges to fitness and strategies to overcome them

Promotes an inclusive approach to fitness, catering to diverse backgrounds

Covers a wide range of fitness topics, providing a comprehensive overview

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for The Science of Fitness. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

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

Personal Trainer

A Personal Trainer helps people achieve their fitness goals. The Science of Fitness would be particularly helpful for a Personal Trainer to take as it can help build a foundation for how to help people and why the methods used help individuals achieve their goals.

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Physical Therapist

Physical Therapists assess, diagnose, and treat different injuries and illnesses. They help their patients to regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve overall physical well-being. The Science of Fitness can be very useful to Physical Therapists as it can help them gain a deeper understanding of the science behind fitness and how it can be used to help their patients.

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Strength and Conditioning Coach

These coaches assess and enhance the fitness, strength, and power of athletes. They design and implement programs that improve performance and reduce the risk of injury. This course can be a great tool to add to the arsenal of a strength and conditioning coach as it can help them in understanding how to test for improved fitness and strength as well as how to design programs using the science behind fitness.

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Fitness Manager

Fitness Managers oversee the physical fitness programs at health centers or other organizations. They plan, direct, and evaluate fitness programs, and make recommendations on physical fitness to clients. This course can prove very helpful to a fitness manager who is looking to gain a stronger grasp on the benefits of fitness and how to properly implement fitness programs.

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Physical Education Teacher

These educators teach the importance of physical activity and fitness as well as how to reap the benefits from living an active lifestyle. Physical Education Teachers can use this course to help them gain confidence in teaching about fitness as well as gain more knowledge to share with their students.

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Life Coach

Life Coaches help individuals identify and achieve personal goals. They provide support and guidance to clients as they work to improve their lives. This course may be useful to Life Coaches as it can help provide information on fitness, which is a key part of living a healthy and fulfilling life.

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Wellness Coach

Wellness Coaches aid their clients in achieving personal health goals, including nutrition, fitness, and developing habits and routines. By taking The Science of Fitness, Wellness Coaches can enhance their knowledge about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and become more equipped to help their clients make sustainable changes.

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Group Fitness Instructor

Group Fitness Instructors lead physical fitness routines for clients of all ages and physical abilities. The Science of Fitness would be useful for a Group Fitness Instructor to help build a foundation of fitness knowledge to use in the group classes they conduct.

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Nutritionist

Nutritionists advise individuals and groups on matters of nutrition and diet. Understanding the science behind not only nutrition but also fitness can help Nutritionists who decide to take this course be well rounded in the field of fitness and nutrition.

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Athletic Trainer

In the sports setting, Athletic Trainers are responsible for preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries. The Science of Fitness can provide Athletic Trainers with more knowledge about the science behind fitness, injury, and injury prevention.

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Pilates Instructor

Pilates Instructors teach Pilates classes and lead a variety of exercises that focus on core strength, flexibility, and balance. Pilates Instructors can use The Science of Fitness to build a greater knowledge of how fitness affects the body to improve performance in their own teaching of Pilates.

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Occupational Therapist

These professionals assist individuals in regaining or developing skills needed for daily living after an injury, illness, or disability. The Science of Fitness would help Occupational Therapists by giving them information on the science behind fitness which can help with the rehabilitation of those who are attempting to get back to the skills of daily life.

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Health Educator

The purpose of a Health Educator is to educate communities and individuals about disease prevention strategies and wellness promotion. Health Educators can use The Science of Fitness to help build their knowledge about the benefits of fitness as well as how to appropriately implement fitness into their own lives, which will transcend into their personal and work interactions with individuals who need them most.

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Yoga Instructor

Yoga Instructors lead yoga classes and teach techniques that focus on strength, flexibility, and breathing through poses and meditation. The Science of Fitness will help Yoga Instructors gain a greater understanding of how fitness benefits the body as well as help them improve their yoga practice and training.

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Exercise Physiologist

Exercise Physiologists are normally found in clinical settings, like hospitals and research centers. They work to help people who are recovering from heart disease, diabetes, movement disorders, and a wide range of other mobility issues that may prevent them from performing normal tasks. The Science of Fitness may be useful as it teaches individuals what fitness means as an industry as well as the science behind how individuals' bodies react and change with respect to fitness. The course could be useful for an individual who wants to learn more about fitness from a clinical background.

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Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Science of Fitness.

ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and...