ESHE 214

I. Course Title: Introduction to Fitness, Strength and Conditioning

II. Course Number: ESHE 214

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: None

V. Course Description: Designed to provide students with an overview of the fitness, strength and conditioning discipline and the array of careers currently available in the fitness and sport performance industry. Additional focus is placed on the capacities to demonstrate and critique exercise technique targeting strength, power, endurance, flexibility, and agility. This course also places an emphasis on student knowledge of teaching fitness and wellness physical activities that make up so much of the K-12 physical education curriculum.  Students will be expected to understand and demonstrate their expertise in the planning and teaching of fitness and wellness activities including health-related physical fitness components (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength & endurance, flexibility, and body composition), skill-related physical fitness components (agility, balance, coordination, speed, and power), the use of stability balls, kettlebells, yoga, and functional fitness, among others.

Note(s): Applied Learning designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

This course introduces the fitness, strength, and conditioning field including potential careers, certifications, and potential graduate pathways. Students will learn exercise techniques for strength lifts, power lifts, agility training, endurance training and flexibility training. Students will learn about the components of fitness, and will apply their knowledge to create individualized fitness plans.

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

Course instruction strategies may include lecture, demonstration, activity, performance analysis, and oral communication activities.

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Having successfully completed this course, students will be able to:

1. Research career opportunities in fitness, strength, and conditioning fields.
2. Research certification in the fitness, strength, and conditioning fields.
3. Research graduate programs in the strength and conditioning fields.
4. Perform proper technique in the squat, deadlift, bench press, pull-ups, and technique variants.
5. Evaluate proper technique in the squat, deadlift, bench press, pull-ups, and technique variants.
6. Evaluate proper technique in the hang snatch, hang clean, and jerk.
7. Perform proper technique in change of direction, balance, and body awareness exercises.
8. Evaluate proper technique in change of direction, balance, and body awareness exercises.
9. Perform proper technique in endurance running exercises.
10. Evaluate proper technique in endurance running and sprinting exercises.
11. Perform proper technique in static, dynamic, and PNF flexibility exercises.
12. Evaluate proper technique in static, dynamic, and PNF flexibility exercises.
13. Apply the professional knowledge above to develop a professional identity or practice.
14. Demonstrate the use of appropriate search engines to gather appropriate content relevant to teaching selected fitness and wellness activities.
15. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and processes for teaching physical education including functional fitness (Virginia Health and Physical Education Endorsement Competency 7.a.1).
16. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and processes for teaching physical education including the ability to design learning activities to help students understand, develop, value, and achieve personal fitness (Virginia Health and Physical Education Endorsement Competency 7.c).
17. Create lesson plans helping young people develop an individualized personal fitness plan including explaining the importance of fitness and active lifestyles, to be able to evaluate personal fitness levels, and to create an appropriate fitness plan with goals, activities, and timelines that will maintain and improve the levels of physical fitness. (VA SOL 3).
18. Demonstrate competency in techniques needed to perform a variety of moderate to vigorous physical activities.
19. Develop techniques in cardiovascular fitness, technique when developing muscle strength and endurance activities, technique in developing flexibility, and safety techniques.
20. Explain physical fitness assessment (including self-assessment) & analysis, setting goals & create a fitness improvement plan, work to improve fitness components, self-monitor and adjust plan, and achieve goals. (PRAXIS 5857 5.B.3).

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Assessments may include, but are not limited to the following measures: written exam, papers, technique evaluations, portfolio projects, and critical reflections.

 

Other Course Information: None

 

Review and Approval 

April 23, 2014

March 30, 2017

March 01, 2021

December 18, 2025