Career Diploma in
Fitness & Exercise

Benefits of routine physical activity on life expectancy; actual causes of death; components of fitness and wellness; national health and wellness goals.

Relationship between physical activity and health; health-related concerns of inactivity.

Benefits of changing to a healthier lifestyle; Stage of Change model and its role in healthy living; designing personal contracts for changing health-related behavior.

Determining how much physical activity is needed per week; selecting activities based on the Physical Activity Period; evaluating the principles of a successful workout using the FITT formula; preparing for physical activity in different and changing environments.

Maximizing your studying and productivity

Differentiating between aerobic and anaerobic exercise; benefits of cardiorespiratory fitness; measuring and assessing personal cardiorespiratory endurance; designing appropriate cardiorespiratory exercise programs.

Benefits of increased flexibility; factors that influence flexibility; flexibility assessment; four types of stretching; various stretching exercises; implementing stretching into an exercise program; prevention of low-back pain; posture improvement.

Distinguishing between muscular strength and endurance; body changes that result from muscle training; differences in muscle fibers and their functions; assessment of muscular strength and endurance; individual muscle-training exercises and programs.

Identifying nutrients and their functions within the body; how the body converts nutrients to energy, which is then used during exercise; recommended nutritional guidelines and assessments; evaluating food and supplements using labels; recognizing and coping with problems resulting from diet change.

Distinguishing between essential body fat and storage fat; causes of excess weight and obesity; recognizing different body shapes and their associated risks; assessing body composition; strategies for effective weight management; gaining weight safely; eating disorders and their treatment.

Distinguishing among stress, distress, and eustress; identifying common symptoms of stress; describing common sources of stress; strategies for coping with stress.

Lifetime fitness programs; evaluating health/fitness clubs; myths and false claims about exercise; assessing exercise equipment; precautions related to hydrotherapy equipment and facilities; evaluating Internet information.

Examining for injuries; following RICE procedures; returning to physical activity following an injury; specific injury care; heat- and cold-related injuries.

Six basic nutrients for athletes; three keys to healthful living; exercise and the food pyramid; eat to your heart's content; the anti-cancer crusade; salt and its effect on high blood pressure; fiber; building strong bones: calcium and osteoporosis; the coffee controversy; nutrition facts for the pregnant athlete.

Don't skip breakfast; breakfast for dieters and champions; cereal alternatives; healthy lunches and dinners; dealing with snack attacks; sweets; the low-impact salad

Sugars; carbohydrates; glucose; glycogen; smart diets for runners and body-builders; counting carbohydrates; protein needs and supplements; meat in your diet; protein for vegetarians; amino acids; the importance of fluids; sodium replacement; sports drinks and their benefits; avoiding muscle cramps and dehydration.

Proper nourishment before exercising; eating for endurance; sports bars; tips for the diabetic athlete; preventing chronic fatigue; electrolytes; fluids for recovery; vitamins vs. food; supplements for special situations; minerals; energy enhancers; caffeine in foods.

Body fat facts; measuring body fat; body image; at war with the scale; calories do count; meal timing; personalized food plans; thirteen tips for successful weight reduction; diets for athletes with weight limits.

Eating disorders among athletes; case studies; nutrition for the athlete with amenorrhea; the weight-gain diet; boosting calorie intake.

Proven techniques designed to help students find desirable fitness-related positions; résumé writing and interview tips.