BENNY JONES JR., MBA, BS, CSEM, CIM

Why Exercise Sport Science?

Bachelor of Science Exercise & Sport Science, December 1993

Exercise and Sport Sciences is primarily concerned with the immediate and lasting effects of exercise and its use in disease prevention and rehabilitation. the degree program explores in the broadest sense understanding and researching health and exercise, influence in exercise outcomes. Of interest is the full spectrum of human potential: from young to old, fit to unfit, healthy to diseased, able-bodied to disabled, and from the casual recreational participant to the high-level athlete.Graduates are also prepared for employment as exercise specialists in hospital, corporate, private, or state agencies.

Exercise & Sport Science Careers

Wellness Coaching

Wellness coaching is a confidential partnership between client and a Wellness Coach with the objective of helping one achieve wellness goals. Wellness coaching utilizes effective behavioral psychology principles to help people to make lifestyle changes. Wellness coaching is a new paradigm for helping people become masters of their wellness. Wellness coaches assists clients develops their own personal wellness vision.

Corporate Fitness/Wellness

Corporate wellness specialists help organizations lower healthcare costs, prevent serious illnesses, and improve productivity, employee morale and retention. Corporate wellness specialists design programs that assist and aid in empowering employees to make healthy choices with educational, personalized and motivating wellness programs that include:

• Health fairs
• Health screenings
• Health promotion seminars
• Personal health assessments
• Behavior change programs
• Weight management
• Quick Fit
• Electronic health education information
• Data collection/analysis

Personal Trainer

Personal trainers work through local fitness centers, health clubs, or their own studios coaching and motivating clients through lifestyle changes. Others may be available for sessions in a clients home, or serve as instructors for fitness classes. Trainers are generally needed to demonstrate various exercises and help clients improve their exercise techniques. Due to the more interpersonal contact between a trainer and a client versus a general gym setting, a trainer is more readily able to provide motivation and support to an individual in an exercise program, in addition to proper technical instruction. A trainer can keep records of their clients’ exercise sessions to help monitor progress, and may also advise their clients on how to modify their lifestyle including nutrition counseling to improve their fitness.

Strength & Conditioning Specialist

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCSs) are professionals who apply scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. They conduct sport-specific testing sessions, design and implement safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs and provide guidance regarding nutrition and injury prevention. Recognizing that their area of expertise is separate and distinct, CSCSs consult with and refer athletes to other professionals when appropriate (Source:NSCA).

Education

Bachelor of Science Exercise & Sport Science, December 1993

Exercise Physiology or Exercise Sport Science is the study of how the body functions in response to acute and chronic exercise. This field is the basis for understanding concepts of strength and conditioning of athletes as well as exercise prescription for healthy and diseased populations. Students in this track are given a broad based education in subjects such as chemistry, physics, and biology. Graduates from this task are prepared not only for graduate school in exercise physiology, but also for professional training in health-related fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, etc.

CURRICULUM

In order to be eligible to pursue this specialization you must have/maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher to be competitive and complete the core courses below with a grade of B or better:

Core Curriculum

• PET 2320 (Applied Human Anatomy with lab)
• PET 2350 (Applied Human Physiology with lab)
• PET 3035 (Motor Learning)
• PET 3340 (Kinesiology Motor Skills)
• PET 3351 (Physiology Exercise & Training)
• PET3622 (Prevention & Care Athletic Injuries)
• PET 3771 (Personal Fitness Teaching Methods)
• PET 4781 (Physical Fitness Assessment)

The following courses are required for degree certification but are not required for competitive admission consideration. It is recommended that students should attempt completion of a series if began at a community college:

• PHY 2053, PHY 2055L, PHY 2054, PHY 2056L (Physics sequence)
• CHM 2045, CHM 2045L, CHM 2046, CHM 2046L (Chemistry sequence)
• BSC 2010, BSC 2010L, BSC 2011, BSC 2011L (Biology sequence)

Course equivalents may be substituted. Some equivalent courses include:
Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs (8 cr. hrs) = UF's PET 2320c and PET 2350c requirement. However, be aware that there is not a direct correspondence in equivalency, such that A&P I is not equivalent to PET 2320c and A&P II is not equivalent to PET 2350c. One sequence or the other must be completed; mixing/matching between sequences is not recognized by ESS.

General Psychology may be titled alternatively, i.e., Introduction to Psychology.

Public Speaking may have an alternate title. Oral Interpretations is NOT an acceptable substitute.

Source