About this course: In this course you will learn about a number of significant adjustments required by your body in order to properly respond to the physical stress imposed during a single bout of exercise. These responses will include changes in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism as well as a number of important physiological systems. Nutritional considerations, causes of muscle soreness & fatigue and effectiveness of performance enhancing drugs will also be addressed. Additionally, you will learn about many of the long-term training adaptations associated with participation in a program of regular exercise. The numerous health benefits of exercise including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, aging, depression and dementia will be discussed. The 4 Modules for this course are divided into The Energetics of Exercise, Physiological Systems During Exercise, Exercise for Fitness & Performance and, Exercise in Health, Wellness and Disease.

Who is this class for: Anyone who wishes to understand the basics of exercise physiology, whether for personal fitness & health benefits or to be more fully informed when advising and treating patient populations would benefit from this course.

Created by: University of Colorado Boulder

Taught by: Robert Mazzeo, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Department of Integrative Physiology

Level	Beginner
Language	English
How To Pass	Pass all graded assignments to complete the course.
User Ratings	4.6 stars Average User Rating 4.6See what learners said

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Module 1

In this module you will learn about the various metabolic pathways (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) that are activated in order to supply the necessary energy required for the mechanical work of skeletal muscles during exercise. How these pathways are regulated, the methods for assessing the extent to which specific fuels are being utilized and the overall estimation of your metabolic rate will be addressed. Additionally, the importance of the chemical energy stored in ATP and its requirement for muscular work will be discussed.

8 videos, 1 reading

Video: 1. Introduction to Exercise Science
Video: 2. Principles in Exercise Physiology
Video: 3. Calorimetry & Oxygen Consumption
Video: 4. ATP & Muscular Work
Video: 5. Carbohydrate Metabolism During Exercise
Video: 6. Carbohydrate Metabolism Continued
Video: 7. Fat Metabolism During Exercise
Video: 8. Protein Metabolism During Exercise
Reading: Week 1 Suggested Readings
Discussion Prompt: Homeostasis and Exercise

Graded: Week 1 Quiz

WEEK 2

Module 2

In this module you will learn how a number of key physiological systems (muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine and immune systems) are regulated during exercise to help maintain homeostasis. These adjustments are critical for exercise to continue for any significant duration. This will include: how the respiratory system adjusts during exercise to ensure proper oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal from active muscles; how the cardiovascular system responds to ensure adequate blood flow to various organs, including muscle, during exercise; how the endocrine system plays a major role in regulating key biochemical and physiological responses to exercise and; how exercise influences the immune system and your ability to fight infections.

7 videos, 2 readings

Video: 1. Skeletal Muscle Structure & Function
Video: 2. Respiratory System Responses to Exercise
Video: 3. Cardiovascular System Responses to Exercise
Video: 4. Cardiovascular System Continued
Video: 5. Endocrine System Responses to Exercise
Video: 6. Endocrine System Continued
Video: 7. Immune System Responses to Exercise
Reading: Week 2 Suggested Readings
Reading: Application Assignment: Predicting VO2max
Discussion Prompt: Type 1 Fibers and the Endurance Athlete

Graded: Week 2 Quiz

WEEK 3

Module 3

This module will teach you about the training guidelines needed to optimize your endurance and strength adaptations associated with a regular exercise program. Important nutritional requirements for both endurance and strength training will be addressed. The causes of both muscle soreness and fatigue will be explained. Finally, the effectiveness and mechanisms whereby performance enhancing drugs exert their effect will be covered.

7 videos, 2 readings

Video: 1. Adaptations to Endurance Training
Video: 2. Adaptations to Strength Training
Video: 3. Nutritional Considerations for Exercise
Video: 4. Causes of Muscle Fatigue
Video: 5. Causes of Muscle Soreness
Video: 6. Performance Enhancing Drugs
Video: 7. Performance Enhancing Drugs Continued
Reading: Week 3 Suggested Readings
Reading: Application Assignment: Nutritional Calculator
Discussion Prompt: Performance Enhancing Drugs

Graded: Week 3 Quiz

WEEK 4

Module 4

In this module you will learn about the role of exercise as medicine in both the prevention and treatment of various diseases. This will include: the contribution of diet and exercise in weight control including the prevention and treatment of obesity; the many health benefits from participation in a regular exercise program related to major risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and cancer will be addressed. Finally, the benefits of exercise associated with healthy aging and brain function will be discussed.

7 videos, 5 readings

Video: 1. Exercise is Medicine
Video: 2. Diet, Exercise and Weight Control
Video: 3. Exercise and Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Video: 4. Exercise and Risk Factors for Diabetes
Video: 5. Exercise and Risk Factors for Cancer
Video: 6. Exercise and Successful Aging
Video: 7. Exercise and Your Brain
Reading: Week 4 Suggested Readings
Reading: Application Assignment: Calculate Your BMI
Reading: Application Assignment: Calculate Your Risk for Heart Disease
Reading: Application Assignment: Calculate Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Reading: Application Assignment: Calculate TDEE
Discussion Prompt: Health Benefits of Exercise

Graded: Week 4 Quiz

Graded: Final Course Assessment

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Creators

University of Colorado Boulder

CU-Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.

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Ratings and Reviews

Rated 4.6 out of 5 of 26 ratings

I request this course for every one in medical field , it is really great

Excellent course for anyone who is serious about sports and weight management. I lost 18kg in one year with so much effort. This course helped to understand what I was doing right and wrong. With the knowledge learnt, I am able to maintain my fitness level with the least effort, thanks to the science behind it. I highly recommend this course to everyone. You won't regret it.

very informative, the scientific way to exercise, worth it!

very informative and well laid out course

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Science of Exercise

Science of Exercise

Science of Exercise