Exercise Science

For example, the act of running can be viewed from many different perspectives by exercise scientists. Exercise physiologists might investigate how athletes use oxygen while running and how it impacts on their performance. Biomechanists might analyze the efficiency of an athlete’s running stride by applying the laws of physics. And other exercise scientists might look at what athletes eat and how it impacts on their running program.

There are two primary areas of inquiry that exercise scientists focus their attention: health-related aspects of physical activity and sports performance. In regards to health-related aspects of physical activity, exercise scientists have studied how exercise benefits health.

Exercise scientists have found many interesting relationships between exercise and reducing the risk of disease, or how exercise can improve health and well-being throughout the life span. The study of sports performance by exercise scientists involves a wide range of diverse areas, which can include the growth and development of athletes, nutritional needs of athletes, and movement analysis. While these are just a few of the ways exercise scientists study human movement, there are many more opportunities.

Career Opportunities

Many students are initially interested in a undergraduate program in exercise science because they enjoy sport and participating in physical activities. The opportunity to study the scientific bases of athletics is often appealing.

In fact, some students may even apply the knowledge they gain in this type of program to their own athletic performance or work with other athletes in various settings. Other students who major in exercise science use their undergraduate program as a stepping stone to professional and graduate schools in medicine, physical therapy, and other allied health fields, as well as the subdiscipline areas of exercise physiology, biomechanics, and motor behavior.

Some Potential Career Options for Students Concentrating in Exercise Science

Graduate School Preparation	Private Sector	Pre-professional Schools	Teacher, Researcher and/or Coach
Exercise Physiology	Corporate world – equipment & wear design (Nike)	Medicine: M.D.	University or College professor
Biomechanics	Ergonomics consultant (e.g. claims for injuries)	Physical Therapy	University or College researcher
Motor Behavior		Occupational Therapy	Laboratory Instructor/Researcher
		Physician’s Assistant
		Nutrition
		Other health-related fields

Distribution of Courses for the B.S. in Kinesiology with a Concentration in Exercise Science

Required General Education and Liberal Arts Courses

CPN100: Academic Writing I
CPN101: Academic Writing II
BIO110: Principles of Biology I (GE 8)
BIO111: Principles of Biology II (GE 8)
PSY101: General Psychology
BIO301: Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO302: Anatomy and Physiology II
CAP100: Computer Applications
General Education Courses
Quantitative Skills Requirement
*met by MAT121, MAT125, PSY201 or ECO221

Required Kinesiology Theory Courses

EXS 197: History/Philosophy of PED
EXS 287: Soc-Psych Aspects of Activity
EXS 297: Motor Behavior
EXS 351: Philosophy of Sport
EXS 387: Biomechanics
EXS 397: Exercise Physiology
EXS 420: Sport in American Culture

Required Activity Courses

PED182: Health-related Physical Fitness
PED288: Rhythms and Dance
Aquatics activity elective
Activity electives

Exercise Science Concentration Requirements

MAT121/125: Calculus A or I
CHE221: General Chemistry I
CHE222: General Chemistry II
PHY201: Principles of Physics I
- or -
PHY105: Elementary Mechanics, Heat & Matter
PSY201 or MAT201 or COM230 or ECO221:
Statistical Methods
EXS 489: Exercise Science Research Methods
EXS 490: Independent Research in Ex. Science

Free Electives

Total Hours Required for Graduation 124

Exercise Science Undergraduate Student Reseach Examples