Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology

Spring, 2008

I am teaching this course this semester as Dr. Kravitz is on sabbatical.  I know what your thinking.  Oh no, Dr Robergs!  He is going to make this harder than it should be!

Do not worry.  I have taught this course before prior to Dr. Kravitz arriving.  I understand the diverse student body that registers for this class, and that it is an introductory, not advanced, exercise physiology course.  However, that does not mean you can come into this class and expect a good grade without any effort.  I expect students to be conscientious, hard working, and eager to learn.  If you satisfy these traits, then I make sure I do my part, and in reality a lot more, by providing as much educational support for you as possible.  I would hope all of my past students can vouch for this fact.

Anyway, last semester I was on sabbatical completing a new version of my textbook.  I have succeeded completing a trial version for this semester, and this will be the text for the class.  It is an electronic textbook for Windows 2000, XP or Vista.  I programmed the book in a software platform called LabVIEW, and of course I wrote all content.  In being a LabVIEW program, I was also able to provide additional support features, such as digital video, and support programs to reinforce learning concepts.

As you will see, the course is developed to introduce you to the topic of exercise physiology.  The bulk of the course prepares you to understand the three energy systems of skeletal muscle that support muscle contraction.  You will then progress into topics of the endocrine regulation of metabolism, ergometry, calorimetry, exercise testing, and finally cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology and exercise adaptations.

I have prepared the course content directly from the assigned textbook, so it is essential that you buy it.  It is available from NEXSIS .org (www.NEXSIS.org), and I can bring in copies for all those who purchase the text as I will explain during our first class.  Without giving too many details away in this preliminary explanation (more details are presented to you in the Course Outline), you need to do the following during this course:

1. read the textbook,

2. follow lectures notes,

3. attend lectures to get the added information about each slide that I provide through verbal explanation and additional fact sharing, and

4. perhaps even do some added library research and reading on your own.

My philosophy is that you are attending university to learn, and I expect all students of this class to be motivated.  I go out of my way to support your learning through this web-based lecture support, so if you do not study, perform poorly, and deserve to fail, I will fail you!