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Exercise Science

WHAT IS EXERCISE SCIENCE?

Exercise science encompasses a diverse field of study from personal training to clinical laboratory research. Students prepare for careers in clinical, corporate, community or commercial settings in which exercise testing and prescription is a primary focus. Coursework is designed to aid students in their preparation for nationally recognized certifications, including those offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

An undergraduate degree in exercise science may also serve as a step toward their continued education in graduate school in exercise physiology or related area. Students also enter specialized programs leading to careers in strength and conditioning, physical or occupational therapy, cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation, nutrition, physician’s assistant, and clinical research.

WHAT DOES AN EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST DO?

  • Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist
  • Exercise Technologist in cardiology suites
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach for college, university and professional sports programs
  • Laboratory Researcher in sports medicine
  • Sports Nutritionist
  • Corporate Fitness Program Director
  • Sports and wellness program instructor and director
  • Health Promotion Specialist
  • Personal Trainer/Exercise leader
  • Professor at institutions of higher learning (i.e., if they have a PhD)
  • Occupational physiologist works with many different professionals to improve the performance of workers by enhancing their health and occupational abilities, preventing or rehabilitating workplace injuries, and redesigning the work environment to fit the worker
  • Supervisor of specialized health, fitness, wellness, or lifestyle programs in correctional services, police, fire, and emergency response organizations
  • Fitness directors and managers in the military (such as the airforce and army) 

At Castleton, the exercise science program offers specializations in three areas: Strength and Conditioning, Clinical Specialist, and Research. Courses in this major include Physiology of Exercise, Electrocardiography, Pathophysiology and Clinical Exercise Physiology, Scientific Foundations of Strength & Conditioning, Exercise Testing & Prescription, Nutrient Metabolism and Athletic Performance, Kinesiology, and Senior Research Thesis.

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Strength and conditioning is one of the fastest growing specializations in the exercise science field. The strength and conditioning curriculum prepares students to work with collegiate, professional, and other elite athletes in developing exercise programs to enhance athletic performance variables such as speed, agility, strength, power, endurance, and flexibility. Coursework is designed to prepare students for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification offered by the NSCA. For successfully meeting established criteria, the National Strength & Conditioning Association officially recognizes Castleton’s Educational Program in Strength & Conditioning.

CLINICAL SPECIALIST
The clinical specialist is an allied health professional who uses exercise and physical activity to assess and treat patients at risk of or with chronic diseases or conditions where exercise has been shown to provide therapeutic and/or functional benefit. Students may work in physicians' offices, clinics, hospitals and diagnostic centers in cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation; exercise testing, exercise prescription, electrocardiography, and disease management of cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic diseases. Coursework is designed to prepare students for certifications offered by the ACSM.

RESEARCH
Researchers conduct studies in either basic or applied science. Basic researchers usually conduct studies with a focus on the cellular and molecular levels, such as how organ systems work, adapts or respond to various factors. Sometimes this is referred to as bench research, especially if animal models are used. Applied researchers usually conduct studies with a focus on more practical questions that appear to be more applicable for immediate use, such as ways to increase athletic performance or how to improve health and reduce disease. Students in this areatake coursework designed for graduate school admission. Most researchers are employed in universities and hospitals.    

FACILITIES

  • Applied Physiology Laboratory
  • Two metabolic measurement systems
  • Fitness Center which provides free weights and selectorized equipment
  • Biochemistry area with quality equipment such as a Nanodrop spectrophotometer, centrifuges, microcentrifuge, etc…
  • Micro-assay capabilities for several analytes and other blood components such as glucose, Hb, lactate, hs-CRP, cholesterol with lipid profile, etc…
  • Several electrocardiography units
  • Lung spirometry

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

  • Immunocompetence and Endocrine Responses Following Acute Exhaustive Resistance Exercise
    • Funded by the Vermont Genetics Network (VGN). The VGN is supported by a five year, IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grant from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Comparison of Leukocyte Subset Reponses Following Resistance Exercise
    • Funded by the Vermont Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF

COURSEWORK

Exercise Science Requirements: (49 credits):                 

BIO 2011 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I, 4 cr
BIO 2012 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 cr
CHE 1031 - General Chemistry I, 4 cr
AHS 1070 - Basic Athletic Training, 3 cr
PED 2160 - Emergency Care and Personal Safety, 3 cr
AHS 2710 - Strength Training Principles, 2 cr
AHS 3120 - Kinesiology, 3 cr
AHS 3150 - Physiology of Exercise, 4 cr
AHS 3310 - Exercise Testing & Prescription, 3 cr
PED 4910 - Senior Thesis, 3 cr
AHS 4065 - Electrocardiography & Graded Ex. Testing, 4 cr
AHS 4210 - Pathophysiology & Clinical Ex. Physiology, 3 cr
AHS 4220 - Scientific Foundations of Strength & Conditioning, 3 cr
AHS 4260 - Nutrient Metabolism & Athletic Performance, 3 cr

and one of the following courses:
AHS 4910 - Senior Research Project, 3 cr
AHS 4830 - Internship in Exercise Science        

                                             Total credits required:         49 cr        

Specialization Electives (select 12 credits)
AHS 3813 - Pharmacology & General Medical Conditions, 2 cr
BIO 2125 - Elements of Microbiology, 4 cr
BIO 3070 - Genetics, 3 cr
BIO 3240 - Advanced Human Physiology, 3 cr
CHE 1032 - General Chemistry II, 4 cr
CHE 2111 - Organic Chemistry I, 4 cr
CHE 2112 - Organic Chemistry II, 4 cr
CHE 3010 - Biochemistry, 4 cr
MAT 2021 - Statistics I, 3 cr
PED 2140 - Fitness Center Management, 3 cr
PED 2072 - Advanced Strength & Conditioning, 1 cr
PED 4020 - Applied Nutrition and Weight Control, 3 cr
PHY 2110 - General Physics I, 4 cr
PHY 2210 - General Physics II, 4 cr
PSY 1050 - Human Growth & Development, 3 cr
PSY 3130 - Health Psychology, 3 cr

 

 
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