Exercise Science Courses

Program | Faculty | Courses

All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified.

531 Mechanical Analysis of Human Motion

Topics include 2-D and 3-D kinematics and kinetics, joint power, energetics of locomotion and mechanical modeling. Prerequisites: EXERSCI 200 and 430.

535 Muscle Mechanics and Modelling

The study of mechanical properties of human muscle and models which represent various aspects of muscle function. Topics include basic muscle structure and function, elasticity in muscle function, con-tractile mechanics, the Hill model, the Hux-ley model, and applications of muscle modelling in biomechanics. Prerequisites: EXERSCI 311 and 430, and CMPSCI 105 or equivalents.

550 Muscle Structure and Function

The effects of exercise on skeletal mus-cle structure and function. Topics include neuromuscular junction, muscle tendon junction, mitochondria, capillaries, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and sarcolemma in response to use and disuse. Laboratory section deals with skeletal muscle histology, histochemistry and serum markers of muscle function. Prerequisites: histology or cell physiology or BIOCHEM 523, exercise physiology.

551 Movement Coordination and Perception

Mechanisms of coordination and perception in human movement. Topics include reflexes, central patterns generators, motor programs, dynamical and complex systems; computational and ecological approaches to perception; perspectives on the control of posture and locomotion; applications to motor learning, development and movement disorders. Prerequisite: EXERSCI 450 or equivalent.

555 Exercise Neuroscience

The neural control of movement. Selected topics include gradation of muscular force, motor unit control principles, neuromuscular aspects of strength, segmental motor control, the organization of ballistic movements, adaptations and plasticity in the control of movement, and aging and human motor control. Prerequisites: anatomy and physiology, laboratory course in Exercise Science.

570 Children and Exercise

The physiological principles underlying the child's response to exercise and the associated clinical implications. Topics include: pediatric exercise physiology; determinants of aerobic power; exercise testing in children; fitness and activity; exercise, growth and maturation; aerobic trainability of children; body composition for youth; activity and health; and childhood obesity. Prerequisite: EXERSCI 478 or equivalent.

571 Physical Activity and Women's Health

The relationship between physical activity and health outcomes in women. Topics include assessment of physical activity, epidemiologic methods, biology and epidemiology of cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, pregnancy, and osteoporosis.

574 Energy Metabolism

How humans store, deliver, and use the fuel required for energy transduction. The pathways by which nutrients are stored, accessed, and oxidized to provide ATP; hormonal regulation of energy balance and substrate utilization; what factors determine the trafficking of metabolic fuels to various fates; the impact of diet composition and/or physical activity on regulation of body weight, pathophysiology of obesity, insulin resistance, and other disorders related to perturbation of energy balance and other factors. Prerequisite: EXERSCI 470 and/or BIOCHEM 420 or graduate student status or consent of instructor.

575 Physiological Basis of Physical Training

Eight to 10 topic areas related to exercise training covered in class. Examples of topics: osteoporosis, aging, lactate threshold, strength, children and fitness, CHD risk factors and exercise, and pregnancy and physical activity. Prerequisite: EXERSCI 470 or equivalent.

596 Independent Study

Credit, 1-6.

597 Special Topics

 I: Exercise and Sports Nutrition

Topics include historical development of exercise nutrition, micronutrients and water, digestion and absorption of food nutrients, nutrient role in bioenergetics, macronutrient metabolism in exercise and training, optimal nutrition, exercise thermoregulation, fluid balance and rehydration, pharmacologic, nutritional and chemical ergogenic aids, disordered eating, and optimal body composition. Prerequisite: EXERSCI 470 or equivalent.

611 Introduction to Research in HumanMovement

The nature of research; methods of acquiring knowledge; the role of research in human performance and exercise science with emphasis on the scientific method. Credit, 1.

612 Data Analysis and Interpretation  in Human Movement Research

Theory and techniques involved in analysis and interpretation of data pertinent to research in human movement. Parametric and nonparametric inference statistics. Prerequisite: STATISTC 111 or equivalent.

650 Advanced Exercise Physiology

Advanced study of cardiovascular and respiratory responses during exercise. Acute and chronic responses to exercise thoroughly examined and mechanisms underlying these responses critically evaluated. Prerequisite: exercise physiology with lab.

655 Exercise Physiology Seminar

Presentation and discussion of current research literature in exercise physiology. Critical evaluation of research questions, experimental design, data analysis, and in-terpretation emphasized. Prerequisite: undergraduate exercise physiology.  Credit, 1.

696 Independent Study

Credit, 1-6.

697 Special Topics

 A: Master's Research Project

Non-thesis option, independent research project. Oral exam based on the project required.

 B: Athletic Trainer Project

Comprehensive literature review for athletic trainers only.

699 Master's Thesis

Credit, 3.

732 Biomechanics

Topics include principles of data collection and analysis, high speed video, force measuring systems, accelerometry, and A/D conversion. Prerequisites: EXERSCI 200, 430, and 531 or equivalent.

735 Biomechanics Laboratory Techniques

Topics include: biophysical signals, frequency content, Fourier series, Fourier analysis, principles of data collection, data smoothing, electromyography, amplifier response characteristics, software data manipulation. Prerequisites: EXERSCI 430 and 531 or equivalent.

796 Independent Study

Credit, 1-6.

797 Special Topics

A: Muscle Adaptation

How skeletal muscle responds to various stressors such as acute and chronic exercise and myopathy. Emphasis on the mechanisms of cellular response to and recovery from perturbation. Topics also include adaptation response, hypertrophy regeneration, and atrophy. Prerequisite: EXERSCI 550.

 B: Research in Exercise Neuroscience

In-depth training in instrumentation and techniques required to conduct research. Topics include electrophysiological instrumentation, surface and in-dwelling EMG procedures, spinal reflex responses, conduction velocity measurement, and other topics. Prerequisites: EXERSCI 597E and consent of instructor.

 E: Exercise, Nutrition and Energy  Metabolism

Fuel for muscular exercise and muscle energy production examined. Emphasis on the role of carbohydrates, fats, amino acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals in muscular performance. Other topics include fluid and electrolyte balance, diet manipulation to enhance performance, and drug-nutrient interactions. Exercise effects examined with regard to plasma lipoproteins, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypertension. Prerequisite: EXERSCI 550.

F: Mechanisms of Skeletal Muscle Fatigue

Examination of the multifactorial nature of skeletal muscle fatigue, ranging from the role of the central nervous system through the function of the cell's contractile apparatus. Prerequisite: EXERSCI 550 or consent of instructor.

 N: Nonlinear Dynamics of Human Movement

Application of nonlinear dynamical techniques and principles to the understanding of human movement. Topics include introduction to basic concepts in nonlinear dynamics, theory of linear and nonlinear oscillators, assessment of system stability, phase transitions and bifurcations. These concepts used to investigate changes in neural and biophysical mechanisms underlying motor control of posture and locomotion; integration of locomotory, respiratory, and heart dynamics; issues related to disease and exercise. Prerequisite: EXERSCI 735 or equivalent.

891 Seminar in Human Movement

Presentation of research topics conducted by master's and doctoral students and outside speakers. Credit, 1 per semester; maximum credit, 6.

896 Independent Study

Credit, 1-6.

899 Doctoral Dissertation

Credit, 12.