Fitness Assessment & Prescription

Curriculum Guideline

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Course
SPSC 4161
Discontinued
No
Course Code
SPSC 4161
Descriptive
Fitness Assessment & Prescription
Department
Sport Science
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
201920
PLAR
Yes
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
30
Contact Hours
4 hours
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning Activities
  • Lecture
  • Group Assessment Projects
  • Technology-based Learning
  • Practical Laboratory Sections
Course Description
Upon completion of this course, students will be skilled in numerous methods of fitness assessment while being able to successfully develop conditioning and rehabilitation programs based on those results. The curriculum is experience oriented, consisting of a large practical component to provide students with sufficient exposure to develop and master the assessment techniques.
Course Content
  1. Assessment of Aerobic Power through:
    • direct determination via VO2 max (oxygen analysis)
      • sport specific techniques (rowing and cycle ergometers, treadmill)
    • indirect determination via
      • matched power output
      • heart rate response
      • critical speed concept
      • mathematical algorithms
  2. Assessment of Metabolic Efficiency through:
    • lactate analysis
      • identification of lactate threshold
      • quantitative lactate production
      • lactate clearance
      • lactate threshold and training intensity
      • relationship of heart and respiratory markers to lactate production and removal
  3. Assessing Anaerobic Capacity through:
    • mean anaerobic power
      • Wingate protocols
      • R.A.S.T. protocols
    • peak anaerobic power
      • Quebec vertical jump protocol
    • fatigue index (rate of power decline)
      • oxygen deficit
  4. Assessing Muscular Strength and Endurance through:
    • standard load testing
    • relative load testing
    • 1 repetition maximum
    • isometric vs. dynamic testing
  5. Assessing Neuromuscular Capacity through:
    • motor unit activation
      • electrical stimulation
  6. Assessing Body Composition through:
    • anthropometry
      • girth measurements
      • height: weight ratios (Body Mass Index)
    • lean body mass analysis
      • skin folds
      • ultrasound
      • bioelectrical impedance
  7. Assessing Joint Range of Motion through:
    • muscle imbalances
    • flexibility
  8. Facility Administration
    • calibration and maintenance of equipment
    • field tests for group testing
    • health and safety issues pertaining to maximal fitness testing
Learning Outcomes

Through instruction and practical learning outcomes, students will learn detailed descriptions of a range of accepted fitness assessment methods applicable for general, elite and rehabilitative populations. Generous practical demonstration will facilitate mastery of techniques, procedures, and norms for accurate and effective fitness testing. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to successfully apply these techniques in both individual and group testing situations.

Means of Assessment
Practical Assessment Labs (6) 60%
Practical Exam 20%
Written Final Exam 20%

 

Textbook Materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

Maud, P.J. and Foster, C. (2006).  Physiological Assessment of Human Fitness, 2nd Edition. Human Kinetics Publishers, Champaign, Illinois, USA. 

Prerequisites

SPSC 3275 or permission of the instructor