Exercise Science/Health Fitness Specialist (R)
Arts and Sciences A.A.
This A.A. track is designed for the student whose objective is to pursue a career in fitness, sports conditioning, or health promotion. Job markets in fields related to this program are expanding as our society continues to become more health conscious and aware of the benefits of fitness as a way of life. This track offers courses that are also appropriate for students interested in pursuing a baccalaureate degree in exercise science, health promotion, sports management, kinesiology, and sport studies.
Students will acquire a scientific foundation and develop the ability to apply theoretical information to practical real-life situations. Emphasis is on an understanding of the human body, lifetime fitness principles and training techniques, prevention and care of exercise-related injuries, nutrition, weight control, stress management, and other related lifestyle wellness topics. Students will learn to conduct fitness assessments, and they will acquire skills in the design, implementation, and supervision of exercise and lifestyle change prescriptions. Exercise leadership development will focus on the acquisition of medically and biomechanically safe techniques in strength training, flexibility training, and cardiovascular conditioning.
Completion of the A.A. requirements in Exercise Science/Health Fitness Specialist will prepare students for fitness certifications through nationally recognized professional organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise. Students will be eligible to sit for the following NCCA approved certifications for a reduced fee: ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam upon successful completion of PE202 Principles plus Practices of Health-Related Fitness and HE205 First Responder and ACSM Health Fitness Specialist certification examination upon successful completion of A.A. degree.
Montgomery College does not determine which courses will transfer but the 4-year college/university. Therefore, you need to contact the college/university where you wish to transfer in order to determine which courses will transfer especially if it is outside of the state of Maryland. This information is needed by your departmental advisor.
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* Students transferring to UMCP needs Pre-calculus
‡ The two behavioral and social sciences courses must be in different disciplines.
Program Outcomes for the Arts & Sciences A.A. – Exercise Science/Health Fitness Leadership
Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics as it relates to exercise programming.
- Demonstrate an ability to recognize cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, and musculoskeletal risk factors that may require further evaluation by medical or allied health professionals before participation in physical activity.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the benefits and precautions associated with resistance and endurance training in a variety of age groups.
- Identify and utilize specific techniques to enhance motivation, extrinsic and intrinsic reinforcement, and stages of motivational readiness.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the recommended intensity, duration, frequency, and type of physical activity necessary for development of cardiorespiratory fitness of apparently healthy and special populations.
- Demonstrate knowledge and the ability to use the basic principles of exercise science in practical applications.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the physiologic changes that occur throughout the lifespan.
- Demonstrate knowledge of common drugs from each of the following classes of medications and describe the principal action and the effects on exercise testing and prescription.
- Demonstrate knowledge of safety plans, emergency procedures, and first aid techniques needed during fitness evaluations, exercise testing, and exercise training.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the health/fitness instructor’s responsibilities, limitations, and the legal implications of carrying out emergency procedures.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and skill in basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification, appropriate emergency procedures, and basic first aid procedures for exercise-related injuries.
- Demonstrate knowledge and the ability to provide the initial management and first aid techniques associated with open wounds, musculoskeletal injuries, cardiovascular/ pulmonary complications, and metabolic disorders.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the components of an equipment maintenance/repair
- program and how it may be used to evaluate the condition of exercise equipment to reduce the potential risk of injury.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the importance of a health/medical history and a medical clearance prior to exercise participation.
- Identify and demonstrate proper procedures and skills for fitness assessments including resting measures, body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance muscle strength and endurance and flexibility.
- Identify the advantages/disadvantages and limitations of the various protocols used for fitness assessments.
- Demonstrate an ability to teach and demonstrate the recommended intensity, duration, frequency, and type of physical activity necessary for development of cardiorespiratory fitness in an apparently healthy population.
- Demonstrate an ability to teach appropriate modifications in specific exercises for special populations.
- Identify risk factors that may be favorably modified by physical activity habits and demonstrates an ability to identify relative and absolute contraindications to exercise testing or participation.
- Identify and explain a minimum of five behavioral strategies to enhance exercise and health behavior change.
- Explain the purpose and procedures for monitoring clients prior to, during, and after cardiorespiratory fitness testing.
- Interpret information obtained from the cardiorespiratory fitness test and the muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition assessments for apparently healthy individuals and those with stable disease.
- Identify appropriate criteria for terminating a fitness evaluation and demonstrate proper procedures to be followed after discontinuing such a test.
- Identify the effects of temperature, humidity, altitude, and pollution on the physiological response to exercise.
- Describe the potential musculoskeletal injuries, cardiovascular/pulmonary complications and metabolic abnormalities.
- Demonstrate an ability to differentiate between physical activity requirements for health benefits and the amount of exercise required for fitness development.
- Demonstrate an ability to describe and teach exercises designed to enhance cardiovascular conditioning, muscular strength and/or endurance of specific major muscle groups, as well as effective exercise programming and make modifications to exercises according to the needs of the population.
- Demonstrate knowledge and ability to teach safe and effective group exercise programs that enhance cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular fitness and flexibility.
* For more information, please refer to the course descriptions pages within the MC Website. Those pages will also help to identify courses with prerequisites.
** Click here for MC's General Education Requirements.
The Health Enhancement, Exercise Science, and Physical Education Department
is located in the PEC Building, facing parking lot #4.
Click Here to see a campus map.
Phone: (240) 567-7575
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