RATIONALE
The employment of exercise physiologists who possess an undergraduate or Masters degree in Exercise Science mainly occurs in the fitness or clinical exercise physiology setting. These employment opportunities are based on the need to conduct exercise tests in "apparently healthy" or "at risk" individuals. To do this task correctly and safely, the student is required to have extensive practice in exercise testing, know the correct procedures to follow, and how to correctly interpret the results of these tests. This course is closely associated with the College of Education Mission in "the study and practice of education through teaching, research, and service." It is the goal of the Exercise Science Program and College of Education to "prepare students for participation in a complex and challenging society." The mission of the college of education is posted at www.unm.edu/~educ/mission.htm.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
To acquire:
1. Knowledge of the theories behind exercise testing
2. Knowledge of the recommendations provided by the American College of Sports Medicine
3. Competencies in administering submaximal and maximal exercise tests using different exercise modes in different patient populations
.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
Three 50-minute lectures/week consisting of lecture instruction using various multimedia (CD-ROM, software, overhead, etc.) outlets. In addition, the laboratory experiences and case studies allow students the opportunity to incorporate the theoretical information into practical application. Guest lecturers may be invited to share clinical experiences.

TEXT(REQUIRED): ACSM's Guidelines For Exercise Testing and Prescription. (6th ed). Williams & Wilkins, 2000.

Other Useful Texts:
-Robergs R.A. and S.O. Roberts. Exercise Physiology: Exercise, Performance and Clinical Applications. McGraw Hill, Inc., St. Louis, 1997.
-Roberts S., R.A. Robergs and P. Hansen. Clinical Exercise Testing and Prescription: Theory and Application. CRC Press, 1997.
-Nieman D.C. Exercise Testing and Prescription: A Health-Related Approach (4th ed.). Mayfield Publishing Company, Mountain View, CA, 1999.

GRADING

97 — 100 A+	73 — < 77 C
93 — < 97 A	70 — < 73 C-
90 — < 93 A-	67 — < 70 D+
87 — < 90 B+	63 — < 67 D
83 — < 87 B	60 — < 63 D-
80 — < 83 B-	< 60 F
77 — < 80 C+

EVALUATION
Group Projects 20 pts
-Project 1 (5)
-Project 2 (5)
-Project 3 (10)
Exam 1 20 pts
Exam 2 20 pts
Exam 3 20 pts
Final Exam 20 pts

No make-ups on exams, assignments, or projects without written medical (or similar) excuse. Assignments and projects are due on the date specified.

No make-ups on exams, assignments, or projects without written medical (or similar) excuse. Assignments and projects are due on the date specified.

Projects and extra-credit option:

PROJECT 1: Students will self-select a group of 3 or 4 students. Depending on the number of graduate students, one graduate student will be with each group. One student in each group will volunteer to be the subject for each project. The group will use the skills and methods they have learned in class and design a CYCLE ERGOMETER or TREADMILL maximal test for this subject. Each time the group does a project, a different Primary Investigator (PI) will be in charge. The PI will be the first name on the project report (TYPED-one per group). Guidelines on how to write up the projects are on the web.

PROJECT 2: Same group as Project 1. A different volunteer and a different PI. Following the same written procedures for Project 1, the group will design a maximal test using a different modality (still cycle or treadmill) than used in the first project.

PROJECT 3: Same group as Project 1. A different volunteer and a different PI. Following the same written procedures for Project 1, the group will design a maximal stress test with GAS ANALYSIS on the modality of their choice. The group will submit a Project Report and also do a Power Point presentation for the class at the end of the semester. Specific guidelines for the presentation are on the web. Each group will be given a “special case” and asked to discuss what approaches they would to test this subject.

5-PT Credit Option: Stress test with gas analysis. Each student has the option to obtain 5 pts toward his/her final point score by designing and completing your own stress test with oxygen consumption. You may use a modality of your choice. Once again, the group will provide the support necessary to carry out this exam. To get credit, you will turn in a Project Report of your results. It is important that those of you who go on to do stress testing in a working environment become familiar with the actual feeling of a test. In this way, you may better relate to clients and understand their apprehension and concerns. If for some reason, you are unable to perform exercise, see instructor for an alternate project for extra credit.

Special Needs: Qualified students with special needs should see me as soon as possible.

Professional Courtesy: Please make sure you turn off all cellular phones and audio-activated pagers in class. Students are expected to be on time for class and stay till the end of class.

Academic Integrity: Academic dishonesty defined from the UNM Student Code of Conduct: “dishonesty in quizzes, tests or assignments; claiming credit for work not done or done by others; hindering the academic work of other students; misrepresenting academic or other professional qualifications within or without the University; and nondisclosure or misrepresentation in filling out applications or other University records.” The Exercise Science faculty support the importance of academic integrity. A student violating academic dishonesty guidelines will receive an “F” for the course. A second violation will result in the student being withdrawn from the Exercise Science program.

Class Participation: Class participation or involvement in other aspects of the class (lab experiences, etc.) by students is considered to be a natural part of the class and essential for learning.

Consultation: If you have questions, or need help, please see me promptly! I am available to discuss class lecture material, other aspects of the class, or to simply chat about life! Please don’t wait until it is too late to get clarification or help.


Tentative Schedule

Week Date Topic Readings
1) 1/14 Introduction to Course/ Lab Rules & Regulations
1/16 Benefits and risks of exercise Chapt 1
1/18 Health screening and risk assessment Chapt 2

2) 1/21 Pretest clinical evaluation and informed consent Chapt 3
1/23 Lab #1: Pre-exercise health eval/BP/EKG prep
1/25 Physical fitness testing: VO2max Chapt 4

3) 1/28 Physical fitness testing: submax test Chapt 4
1/30 Fitness testing termination criteria Chapt 4
2/1 Case studies

4) 2/4 Lab #2: Cycle Fitness test
2/6 EXAM review
2/8 EXAM (Chapts 1-4)

5) 2/11 Exam return
2/13 Diagnostic Testing Chapt 5
2/15 Predictive accuracy of stress testing Chapt 6

6) 2/18 Conducting a diagnostic stress test Chapt 6
2/20 Interpretation of results Chapt 6
2/22 CAD / MI/Pulmonary patients Chapt 5 & 6

7) 2/25 Exercise EKG: normal variations App. C
2/27 EKG: abnormal response App. C
3/1 Lab #3: Clinical treadmill VO2max test

7) 2/25 EKG App. C
2/27 EKG App. C
3/1 Special issues in testing Athletes

8) 3/4 Lab #3/Exam Review
3/6 Exam review/Lab #3
3/8 EXAM 2 (Chapts 5 and 6)

9) SPRING BREAK-No Classes 3/11-15

10) 3/18 Exam returned
3/20 Principles of exercise prescription (healthy) Chapt 7
3/22 Principles of exercise prescription Chapt 7

11) 3/25 Principles of exercise prescription (cont.) Chapt 7
3/27 Principles of exercise prescription (resistive exercise) Chapt 7
3/29 Exercise prescription for cardiac patients Chapt 8

12) 4/1 Exercise prescription for pulmonary patients Chapt. 9
4/3 Other clinical conditions Chapt 10
4/5 Guest speaker: clinical exercise testing

13) 4/8 Exam #3: Exercise prescription (Chapters 7-10)
4/10 Exercise testing in the elderly Chapt. 11
4/12 Exercise testing in women Chapt. 11

14) 4/15 Exercise testing in children Chapt 11
4/17 Guest lecturer: testing of a special population
4/19 Exercise testing in extreme environments App. E

15) 4/22 Common medications and exercise response App. A
4/24 Clinical pharmacology and exercise App. A
4/26 Guest lecturer: Emergency medical considerations

16) 4/29 Group Project-Power Point presentation
5/1 Group Project II-Power Point presentation cont’d
5/3 Group Project III-Power Point presentation/Course Wrap-up
5-point credit option reports due!!

Final Exam: Exercise in special populations and environments. (Chapt. 11, App. A & E) Monday, May 6th, 10 am-12 pm