Exercise Science Concentration In the Biomedical Sciences Program

Exercise Science Concentration In the Biomedical Sciences Program Contact: Bill Brewer, MLS, CES Director of Exercise Science Rochester Institute of Technology CBET Office 75-3161 153 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester NY, 14623 wsbscl@rit.edu (585) 475-2476 Thank you for your interest in Exercise Science at RIT. Exercise Science is a growing field that scientifically addresses issues of health and fitness as well as human performance. Whether you are interested in helping people recover from the unhealthy effects of a sedentary lifestyle or in helping athletes extend and expand their performance capacity, the Exercise Science Concentration within the Biomedical Sciences Program has the curriculum and facilities to move your career plans forward. Building on the requirements for the Exercise Science Concentration, students can take additional specified courses in the Athletic or Clinical Tracks or complete a full component of exercise science courses to further their studies in the area of exercise science. The Exercise Science Concentration provides students the opportunity to master essential information forming the basis for more specific and applied coursework upon which future success can be built. The on- campus facilities provide a location that serves as a laboratory for putting the curriculum into action. FACILITIES The home for the Exercise Science Concentration is the Fitness Lab within the Hale- Andrews Student Life Center. The lab provides space and equipment for the conduction of exercise and movement analysis lab experiences. It also provides fitness services to the RIT Community. Students in the Exercise Science Concentration will find the lab both a place for practical learning as well as a facility where they can apply their skills and abilities to assist RIT community members improve their health and fitness. The link below will take you to the RIT Fitness Lab website. http://www.rit.edu/healthsciences/fitnesslab/ Students in the Athletic Track will also have access to the athletic training facility in the Clark Gym. This facility is specifically designed for training athletes and will serve as the location for

specific course work and lab experiences. In addition, opportunities to serve as a Strength and Conditioning Assistant within the athletic training facility are available. The link below will take you to the RIT Tiger Den Athletic Training Facility. http://ritathletics.com/sports/2007/7/31/wroom073107.aspx CURRICULA As part of the Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Program, students in the Exercise Science Concentration must meet both the overall requirements of the program as well as the requirements of the Exercise Science Concentration. The link below will display the academic requirements of the Biomedical Sciences Program. EXERCISE SCIENCE CONCENTRATION http://www.rit.edu/programs/biomedical- sciences All students in the Exercise Science Concentration must complete the core concentration course requirements (15 credit hours) and an additional six (6) credit hours of exercise science professional electives. The concentration includes 21 total credit hours. Course Credit Hours When Offered Concentration Core MEDS 295 Sports Physiology & Life Fitness 3 F & S ü MEDS 296 Fitness Prescription 3 S ü MEDS 350 Exercise Physiology 3 F ü MEDS 410 Kinesiology 3 F ü MEDS 452 Biomechanics 3 S ü Professional Electives Exercise Science 6 EXERCISE SCIENCE CONCENTRATION TRACKS If a student has an interest in focusing on an area of exercise science, the Exercise Science Concentration offers both a Clinical and Athletic Track by which students can guide their career oriented education. Students may self- select any combination of Exercise Science courses to complete the requirements of the concentration but the tracks serve as career specific course advisement sequences.

EXERCISE SCIENCE CONCENTRATION ATHLETIC TRACK The Athletic Track is for people who want to raise the bar of performance for athletes at all levels. A scientific approach to athletic conditioning has been shown to improve performance while maintaining the health of athletes. With more intense levels of competition comes the need to understand the human machine with a greater degree of specificity. The athletic track includes courses which allow students to learn how to better train and maintain athletes. The skills of strength and conditioning specialists are in demand at all levels of sports and the prevalence of private sector sports specific training facilities has never been higher. Students intent on a career training athletes and enhancing the capabilities of those who play sports will be well prepared to advise and guide the next generation of athletic performers. Certification: Students completing the core courses and the Athletic Track courses will be prepared to take the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Exam (CSCS). This certification recognizes the recipient s capabilities to provide appropriate strength and conditioning programs designed to improve athletic performance. Athletes at all levels of sport can benefit from proper strength and conditioning programs. Athletes at the very highest levels of participation are the most likely to receive the benefit of a fully employed strength and conditioning specialist. http://nsca.com/certification/ Career Links: The links below represent employers who currently have job openings for people with the specific degree and skill set that graduates of the Athletic Track in the Exercise Science Concentration will possess. http://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/category/coaching- strength- conditioning http://www.jobtarget.com/c/search_results.cfm?site_id=2678 http://www.coachgrader.com/job.php?job=strength%2fconditioning Athletic Track Curriculum Course Credit Hours When Offered Concentration Core MEDS 295 Sports Physiology & Life Fitness 3 F & S ü MEDS 296 Fitness Prescription 3 S ü MEDS 350 Exercise Physiology 3 F ü

MEDS 410 Kinesiology 3 F ü MEDS 452 Biomechanics 3 S ü And MEDS 298 Strength Training for Performance 3 F MEDS 413 Training High Performance 3 S Athletes MEDS 294 Group Exercise Design 3 F MEDS 351 Sports Psychology 3 S MEDS 407 Prevention and Treatment of 3 S Athletic Injuries NUTR 300 Sports Nutrition 3 F&S EXERCISE SCIENCE CONCENTRATION CLINICAL TRACK The Clinical Track is designed for students interested in the utilization of exercise as a therapeutic modality for altering the reduced functional capacity brought on by sedentary living. Clinical Exercise Medicine is an emerging field that is poised to grow as the population ages. This field is for bold students who see that there will be an opportunity to provide exercise/fitness services as an integrated medical service. With an entrepreneurial spirit students will prepare themselves to become the newest practitioners in the healthcare field. As a Health Fitness Specialist one would perform fitness assessments, design exercise prescriptions and implement exercise programs to a variety of people including those with disease exacerbated by whole body hypokinesis. Certification: Professional certification is an important part of the credentialing process for a growing number of fields within healthcare. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) provides certifications which validate the knowledge skills and abilities of fitness and exercise practitioners. Students who complete the core courses and the courses in the Clinical Track as well as earn their Bachelor s Degree from the Biomedical Sciences Program will be well prepared to take the ACSM Health Fitness Specialist (HFS) Certification exam. http://certification.acsm.org/ Career Links: The links below represent employers who currently have job openings for people with the specific degree and skill set that graduates of the Clinical Track in the Exercise Science Concentration will possess.

http://www.medifit.com/ http://healthfitness.com/ http://plusonehealthmanagement.com/ Clinical Track Curriculum Course Credit Hours When Offered Concentration Core MEDS 295 Sports Physiology & Life Fitness 3 F & S ü MEDS 296 Fitness Prescription 3 S ü MEDS 350 Exercise Physiology 3 F ü MEDS 410 Kinesiology 3 F ü MEDS 452 Biomechanics 3 S ü And MEDS 297 Exercise For Special Populations 3 S MEDS 352 Coaching Healthy Behaviors 3 S MEDS 353 Worksite Health Promotion 3 F MEDS 354 Senior Adult Fitness 3 F MEDS 451 Cardiac Rehabilitation 3 S RESEARCH New knowledge and information is the lifeblood of the scientific process. The Exercise Science Concentration provides students the opportunity to conduct empirical investigations as an undergraduate. The course listed below gives students access to the facilities of the Fitness Lab which can be used to investigate an original exercise science hypothesis. Experience conducting research is a valuable ability for a student to present to potential employers or on graduate school admissions applications. MEDS 450 Measurement and Assessment of Exercise and Athletic Activity Gathering and analyzing data in order to establish the need for effectiveness of exercise programs and athletic training interventions is the focus of this course. Students will learn physical assessment protocols and become familiar with analytical software as well as develop proficiency in the application of data in the design and implementation of exercise training programs. It is intended that students will investigate an original hypothesis and present their findings at the Undergraduate Research Symposium. 3 credit hours, Spring Additional options in Exercise Science

Minor in Exercise Science The Minor in Exercise Science can be achieved by completing any five Exercise Science courses. For students who have completed Anatomy & Physiology I & II only three Exercise Science courses are necessary to fulfill the requirements of the Minor. The Minor in Exercise Science serves to augment the education of enterprising students with a robust study of the science of exercise. The Minor is available to any enrolled full- time RIT student except biomedical science students who are enrolled in the Exercise Science Concentration. The following table is a sample of courses that would fulfill the requirements of the Minor in Exercise Science. Course Credit Hours When Offered Concentration Core MEDS 295 Sports Physiology & Life Fitness 3 F & S ü MEDS 296 Fitness Prescription 3 S ü MEDS 350 Exercise Physiology 3 F ü MEDS 410 Kinesiology 3 F ü MEDS 452 Biomechanics 3 S ü Certificate in Exercise Science The Certificate in Exercise Science prepares students for employment as an entry level service provider in a fitness facility. The certificate requires the completion of the three courses listed in the table below and is available to students with a basic background in biology. Course Credit Hours When Offered MEDS 295 Sports Physiology & Life Fitness 3 F & S MEDS 296 Fitness Prescription 3 S MEDS 297 Exercise For Special Populations 3 S Course Descriptions (go to the list of courses on the RIT website for a complete listing of exercise science courses) MEDS 298 Strength Training for Performance Stronger athletes make better athletes no matter what the sport and this course teaches techniques of optimal training to enhance the muscular fitness of all manner of athletes. Physiological principles of strength development and basic musculoskeletal anatomy are reviewed and general program design is discussed. Utilizing case studies, students develop sport specific programs which will be presented to the class. Students will also produce

strength training manuals outlining appropriate guidelines for improved performance. 3 credit hours, Fall MEDS 413 Training High Performance Athletes Aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility, speed, power, agility, nutrition, and rest are all crucial to the success of athletes and for trainers the need to appropriately coordinate all these factors is a significant challenge. This course explores the interrelationship of the multifactorial principles of athletic performance. Using case studies, modeling, flow sheets and scheduling schemes students develop techniques that will lead their athletes to success with their training routines. 3 credit hours, Spring MEDS 294 Group Exercise Design Group exercise has progressed to include a wide variety of activities, equipment and environments. This course explores both the dynamics of group participation as well as techniques of instruction across a number of modalities including; hi/low impact, step training, kickboxing, sports conditioning, stationary indoor cycling, water exercise, yoga, and Pilates. Students will not only learn theory but will also design and teach classes to one another. Graduates of the class will be prepared to achieve certification in many of the modalities included in the course. 3 credit hours, Fall MEDS 351 Sports Psychology Keeping your head in the game is one of the hallmarks of success for high performance athletes and this course explores the psychological aspects of achieving that capability. Through examining research based evidence of successful practices and techniques to produce, that winning edge, students will become versed in the process of coaching athletes to possess and function with athletic mental toughness. 3 credit hours, Spring MEDS 407 Prevention and Treatment of Athletic Injuries Even the very best athletes experience injury and being able to recognize and respond to those conditions is a crucial skill for those who will work with athletes. Students will learn the signs and symptoms of injury and the process of first response as well as how to support athletes through rehab. Successful students will learn how to incorporate injury reduction techniques into the training programs they develop for the athletes they serve. 3 credit hours, Spring NUTR 300 Sports Nutrition This course will provide an introduction to the integration between exercise and nutrition- related topics by exploring the intimate link among nutrition, energy metabolism and human

exercise response. The course content will sort fact from fiction and help students and practitioners obtain the knowledge they need to give sound advice to athletes and active individuals. 3 credits, Fall & Spring MEDS 295 Sports Physiology & Life Fitness This class covers the essentials of living a wellness lifestyle which enhances health, fitness and optimal well- being. Students will have the opportunity to consider their role in the quality of life issues that impact their health on a daily basis. An introduction to the basics of physical fitness will be presented as well as students will participate in assessment activities producing a personal fitness profile. The design of a personal exercise program will be completed along with an analysis of the diet and a review of the role of stress in one s life. At the conclusion of the course students will have gained the knowledge, skills and abilities to live life well. 3 credits, Fall & Spring MEDS 296 Fitness Prescription This course is designed to provide instruction to prepare students for certification as a Personal Trainer. It examines the role exercise plays in both the enhancement of health and fitness as well as the improvement of athletic performance. Students will develop a basic understanding of how the human body functions while physically active. Case studies are utilized to assist in the development of practical skills. 3 credits, Spring MEDS 350 Exercise Physiology: Exercise Physiology is the scientific basis for the field of Exercise Science. This course provides students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the body s responses and adaptations to exercise. Neuromuscular physiology is reviewed along with energy systems and mechanisms of fatigue. The cardiorespiratory system is examined with a focus on control and regulation during activity and there is a look at the physiological components of exercise training. Environmental factors that impact sport activities as well as training techniques which optimize performance will be reviewed. The differences in performance and adaptation that exist between children, adolescents and adults as well as between males and females will be compared and contrasted. Exercise s influence on long term health and fitness will conclude the course. Laboratory experiences will allow students to integrate and apply the concepts of exercise physiology through investigative experiments. There is no separate lab for this class and laboratory experiences will be incorporated into specifically designated lecture times. 3 credits, Fall MEDS 410 Kinesiology: As a study of human movement this course will cover topics that begin with a review of the functional anatomy of the musculoskeletal system including the upper and lower extremity as

well as the spinal column and thorax. Factors of linear and rotary motion are reviewed along with postural analysis and movement elements associated with pushing, pulling and throwing objects. There is no separate Lab for this class and laboratory experiences will be incorporated into specifically designated lecture times. At the conclusion of this course students will have a functional capability to assess the intricacies of human movement. 3 credits, Fall MEDS 452 Biomechanics The study of mechanics as it pertains to living organisms is the basis of biomechanics. Principles of physics are applied to human motion with movements being analyzed for their relationship to statics and dynamics. Kinematics and kinetics are explored within the context of sports performance and functional human locomotion. 3 credits, Spring MEDS 297 Exercise For Special Populations This course is designed for those who are interested in the science of exercise and fitness for individuals with diagnosed disease states, or high performance requirements. The theoretical and diagnostic value of exercise testing will be reviewed. This information will then be used to create exercise prescriptions and understand the therapeutic benefit that exercise will have on specific conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and obesity. High performance individuals functioning in challenging environments such as, astronauts, high altitude climbers and ultra- marathoners will also be considered. 3 credits, Spring MEDS 352 Coaching Healthy Behaviors This course will teach students to encourage those with long standing lifestyle habits that contribute to their chronic illness to change is a very challenging proposition. It addresses this problem by incorporating psychological, sociological and counseling principles, along with coaching skills, into an intervention technique that emphasizes the positive and leads people to choose and adhere to a wellness lifestyle. Students will review case studies and meet with professionals in the field. 3 credits, Spring MEDS 353 Worksite Health Promotion A growing number of employers are recognizing the value of healthier, more physically fit employees and are providing health promotion programs through a variety of innovative means. This course will examine the theoretical basis for employee health programs as well review several case studies. Students will have the opportunity to visit and review local programs as well as design a model program to present to the class. 3 credits, Fall

MEDS 354 Senior Adult Fitness Our nation s growing population of senior citizens presents both challenges and opportunities to our healthcare system. This class explores the opportunities and the processes of enhancing the physical fitness and functional capacity of aging adults. Principles of assessment, prescription and adherence are modified to meet the needs of senior citizens and students will examine several case studies. Students get to apply what they ve learned by designing and conducting exercise sessions with actual participants. 3 credits, Fall MEDS 451 Cardiac Rehabilitation Following a heart attack many people feel as though their health is lost, however those who participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program experience a much higher rate of recovery. Students will explore the physiological principles of rehabilitation through a thorough review of atherosclerosis and the process of adaptation by the cardiovascular system to proper exercise. Through the class students will visit local cardiac rehab programs and design exercise prescriptions and educational programs for case studies. 3 credits, Spring