Course Syllabus

Course Description: This course presents an overview of the benefits of fitness and exercise programs for special populations.  The goal is to introduce a variety of special populations and discuss the ways in which exercise may benefit these individuals.  Emphasis will be placed upon the physiological benefits of regular physical activity.

Text: American College of Sports Medicine. (1997). ACSM’s exercise management for persons with chronic diseases and disabilities. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

      American College of Sports Medicine. (2000). ACSM’s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription.  Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams, & Wilkins.

Course Objectives:     

1.   Demonstrate an understanding of the benefits and risks of participation in exercise programs for members of special populations.

2.   Demonstrate an understanding of the special considerations that must be addressed when prescribing physical activity for members of special populations.

3.   Develop strategies to promote appropriate activity programs for members of special populations.

4.   Promote critical thinking regarding the student’s competency to conduct exercise programming for members of special populations.

Academic Dishonesty:

Attendance Policy:

1.    The general policy outlined by the University will be followed.  This policy states: “Upon registration, students accept the responsibility for attending classes and completing course work.  It is the responsibility of students to ascertain the policy of instructors with regard to absence from class, and to make arrangements satisfactory to instructors with regard to missed course work.”

2.    The instructor’s policy for this course includes:

  Grading Policy:

90-100%   A          80-89%     B         70-79%     C          60-69%     D        0-59%       F

  Aspects to be evaluated

    a.

     /Oral Presentation  25%

     c. Midterm & Final Exam                                         50%

 ASSIGNMENTS:

All assignments are due IN CLASS on the date assigned; assignments received later the same day will be penalized 5 points and assignments and projects received after the due date will be penalized 10 points per day.

  JOURNAL PAPERS (3):

Students will consult with professional journals (i.e., Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Research Quarterly, American Journal of Cardiology, Circulation, Journal of American Dietetic Association, Exercise and Sports Science Review, etc) to select an article of interest, regarding exercise and special populations.  Each journal article should cover a different population.  Papers should provide (1) a brief summary of the article and (2) implications for practice.  How might this information impact what you do as a fitness/exercise specialist?  The paper should follow APA guidelines (5^th edition).  Double space the document and use a 12-point font with one-inch margins.  Include a copy of the article with your paper.

Criteria for grading:

Length (3 pages)=5 points

Grammar, sentence structure, spelling=15 points

Citations in narrative=10 points

Content=20 points

Total = 50 points

COMMUNITY RESOURCES PROJECT:

Working in groups, students will compile a directory of community resources available in Madison and surrounding counties.  Resources should target or include special populations and provide various support services including exercise and/or recreation programming.  Each group will be assigned to a specific population.   Each entry should include the name, address, phone number, email, contact person, web address, cost, and a brief description of the programming offered.

Criteria for grading:

Number of community resources=30 points

Grammar, sentence structure, spelling=20 points

Content=50 points

Total=100 points

ORAL PRESENTATION:

Each group from the “Community Resources Project” will select one community resource to highlight in an oral presentation.  Students are strongly encouraged to visit the site in person.  The presentation should include history of the community resource, target population, number of people serviced, description of programs, staff (employment opportunities, required educational background, etc.), contact information, and other relevant information.  Each group will provide a 10-15 minute PowerPoint oral presentation.  Be creative.

Criteria for grading:

Professionalism=10 points

Content=25 points

PowerPoint=15 points

Total=50 points

Course Outline:

URL:  http://www.siue.edu/~ncoving/index.htm
Published by:  N. Kay Covington, Associate Professor
Last update:  Fall 2004

Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author.  The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by SIUE.