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Manuscript Format

Teaching and Learning Resource

Time required for implementation of resource

> 50 minutes

Subdiscipline of Kinesiology

Exercise Physiology

Abstract

This resource is intended to provide a model for fitness assessment practice to promote student learning in an undergraduate exercise physiology laboratory course. The goal is for students to gain practical experience in fitness assessment procedures, both through skills practice and service-learning opportunities. The inclusion of an assignment requiring a specified number of assessments to be completed within the term requires additional student practice opportunities. Instruction, demonstration, and initial practice of tests associated with health-related physical fitness components must occur early in the course, so as to permit sufficient opportunities, in class or outside of class, over the remainder of the course term. Fitness assessments involving individual tests of minimal complexity require approximately 30 minutes to complete, amounting to two total hours of practice time accrued if four assessments were required, and thus adequate time must be budgeted in course planning. Students must recruit volunteers outside the course, and preferably the major, for the assessments. If subjects are required to come from the campus or local community, the opportunity for service learning can exist. Fitness assessments can be graded on the basis of completion, and the inclusion of a practical examination at the end of the course creates motivation to develop greater proficiency. Benefits to students come in the form of both enhanced learning and testing skill, which contributes to professional development, as well as an opportunity to provide a service to the community by offering health information and exercise counseling based upon the results of the fitness assessments.

Corresponding Author

Marc Apkarian, PhD

Professor

Department of Kinesiology and Public Health

Biola University

13800 Biola Avenue

La Mirada, CA 90639 USA

(562) 944-0351 x5948

marc.apkarian@biola.edu

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