In this interactive online course you will increase your basic understanding of exercise physiology’s main principles and learn how to apply the concepts to various exercise and physical activity settings. This course emphasizes that to be safe and effective, an exercise program must be based on sound physiological principles and the consideration of personal factors unique to each client (such as personal preferences, past experiences, skill levels, and so forth). Developed by Laurel Mackinnon, PhD, the course includes a supplemental text developed specifically for the course. The online material is closely linked to the student text and presents learning activities that are designed to help you integrate the new material into your daily practices. A glossary of terms is included, hyperlinked to usage within the material, and the course concludes with a 50 item online exam.

During the course you will work with your virtual mentor, Heather, and several clients. You will start with Unit 1 and sequentially work through to the end of Unit 6, focusing on a particular aspect of physiological functions related to exercise in each unit. As you work through the units, you will learn to apply various exercise physiology principles in a “holistic” way to each of your virtual clients.

Your mentor will lead you through the following units.

Unit 1 – Introduction
• Recognize the basic concepts of specificity of training, acute responses versus training adaptations, and reversibility of training adaptations
• Apply these concepts to prescribing exercise/physical activity for fitness, health and sport-specific goals

Unit 2 – Energy Systems
• Explain the three energy systems
• Explain the use of different substrates to produce ATP
• Describe the interaction of exercise intensity and duration in determining energy system and substrates used
• Indicate the role of metabolic factors in causing fatigue during exercise
• Explain energy systems training adaptations

Unit 3 – Structure and Function of the Neuromuscular System
• Recognize metabolic, structural, and physiological properties of muscle cells
• Explain the three human skeletal muscle fiber types and how differences relate to exercise capacity
• Indicate various factors influencing muscular strength
• Indicate the causes of delayed onset muscle soreness

Unit 4 – Adaptations to Training by the Neuromuscular System
• Explain the metabolic and structural adaptations to strength training
• Recognize differences between muscular strength, endurance, and power
• Indicate the health benefits of resistance training
• Apply these principles to prescribing resistance training for various needs

Unit 5 – Structure and Function of the Cardiorespiratory System
• Explain 02 uptake during exercise of varying intensity
• Describe the circulatory and respiratory responses during and after exercise
• Recognize the cardio respiratory limitations to exercise capacity and performance

Unit 6 – Adaptations to Training by the Cardiorespiratory System
• Recognize that training adaptations are specific to exercise mode, intensity, and duration
• Explain cardio respiratory system structural and physiological adaptations
• Indicate the recommended physical activity mode, intensity, and duration
• Apply these principles to prescribing exercise for enhancing cardio respiratory fitness and health benefits

Finally, you’ll take the online course test, which covers material from the interactive study guide and from the course text.