In this interactive online course you will better understand women’s health and fitness issues throughout all stages of the female life cycle. You’ll learn how to change traditional exercise programs to fit a variety of special conditions, including pregnancy, menopause, body image challenges, osteoporosis, and depression.

Developed by Ann Maliszewski, PhD, the course incorporates the textbook, The Bodywise Woman, by Judy Mahle Lutter and Lynn Jaffee, and is supplemented by the text Women’s Fitness Program Development, by Ann Cowlin.

During the course, you’ll assume the role of a fitness professional and work with six female clients representing the many stages of maturation and health-related issues women experience. Sarah Smith will be your virtual mentor and will introduce six clients you’ll work with throughout the course. You’ll learn how to recognize individual objectives and needs, categorize clients by their current activity level, and address special considerations. You’ll also improve your understanding of the health risks associated with physical inactivity.

The Clients:

Young Women with Problems with Body Image
You’ll examine society’s obsession with thinness and how more women, young and old, are using exercise to control body size and shape, not to prevent disease. You’ll discuss body image problems with your client and learn to recognize the warning signs of problem behaviors, including eating disorders and compulsive exercising. You’ll also look at how physical activity affects the menstrual cycle.

Maintaining Fitness Throughout Pregnancy
You’ll learn how a woman and her fetus respond to exercise and how to adapt her exercise program throughout her gestation period.

Motherhood: Finding the Time to Exercise and Dealing with PMS
You’ll discuss with a mother of three young children the reasons for physical inactivity and identify ways women can find time to be physically active. You’ll also learn how to incorporate motivational activities into the design of exercise programs.

Middle Age: Menopausal Symptoms and Exercise
You’ll work with a Mexican-American client to better understand the physical changes that occur during menopause, how physical activity can be beneficial and cultural considerations when designing exercise programs. You’ll also identify components of activity programs that are appropriate for menopausal women.

Middle Age: Dealing with Depression
While working with a client struggling with depression, you’ll examine the prevalence of depression among women and how exercise is related to mental health. You’ll also discuss ways to improve program adherence through individualized motivational programs.

Crones with Bones: Maintaining Bone Health
You’ll review the stages of bone growth and bone loss and examine how women like your client – an older woman with osteoporosis – may benefit from sound exercise programs. You’ll also gain information about heart health and weigh the benefits and risks of hormone replacement and related therapies.

Finally, an online test will evaluate your understanding of the material covered by the interactive course and supplemental text.