Majors
Exercise science major
Health and exercise science, health promotion, physical education and strength and conditioning
Are you interested in the physiology of the human body and the way the body moves? Are you interested in health and exercise science, health promotion, strength and conditioning, or teaching phys ed? If so, you might be a great fit for one of Central's four exercise science majors.
Exercise science is Central's fastest growing department with over 200 majors currently. Graduates go on to become successfully employed in major-related fields or attend top graduate schools, pursuing master's degrees and professional degrees including medicine, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
"We not only teach the science of exercise including the theories that go along with it, but also we do a great amount of practical application," says Professor Dave Pavlat, department chair. "Our students see it, feel it and do it. We are cutting edge.
"We are members of the American Kinesiology Association, and our entire faculty and staff improve their knowledge through continuing education," Pavlat says. "Our department is very competitive and desires to be the best exercise science program in the Midwest."
Find out more information on the athletic training major.
Central's exercise science program maintains its own website with even more information about majoring in exercise science.
Faculty
- Dustin Briggs, M.S., instructor of exercise science, assistant athletic trainer, briggsd@central.edu
- Leslie Duinink, M.S., assistant professor of exercise science, head athletic trainer, Class Dean, duininkl@central.edu
- David Pavlat, Ed.D., department chair, associate professor of exercise science, pavlatd@central.edu
- Pamela Richards, Ed.D., associate professor of exercise science, richardsp@central.edu
- John Roslien, M.S., associate professor of exercise science, director of Athletic Training Education Program, roslienj@central.edu
- Chris Viesselman, M.Ed., instructor of exercise science, assistant athletic trainer, viesselmanc@central.edu
- Margene Van Horn, M.S., visiting instructor of exercise science, vanhornm@central.edu
- Katelin Gannon, M.S., visiting instructor of exercise science, gannonk@central.edu
- Joshua Thomas, Ph.D., assistant professor of exercise science, thomasj@central.edu
- Kevin Carlson, Ed.D., assistant professor of exercise science, carlsonk@central.edu
- Shelli Green, M.Ed., instructor of exercise science, assistant athletic trainer, greens@central.edu
News about Exercise science
Score One for the Athletic Trainers
The athletic training program started off as a tiny classroom and a few students under the direction of John Roslien. Today it’s one of the largest and most demanding academic programs on campus—and there aren’t any signs of slowing.
Dutch Strong
Desmond Breadon ’03 got through some hard times with the help of his Central family—eventually going on to coach high school football and open a fitness center.
From Athletes to Soldiers
Sarah Newman ’01 treats both athletes and soldiers as an athletic trainer. She works with the U.S. Paralympic Alpine Ski Team and the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Battalion.
A Healthy Dose of Spanish
A new Central College Abroad program in Yucatan will allow future medical professionals to explore health care in Latino culture.
2012 Faculty Awards
Seven faculty members were recognized for their leadership in teaching, professional development, service and international education.
Successful Careers
- Wilderness therapy instructor, Los Angeles, California
- Graduate student, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
- Assistant athletic trainer, Green Bay Packers, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- High school P.E. instructor, Norwalk, Iowa
- Corporate fitness and wellness, Advocate Fitness, Chicago, Illinois
- Occupational therapist, Kansas City, Kansas
- Orthopaedic sales rep, Norfolk, Nebraska
- ICU nurse, Atlanta, Georgia
- Physical therapist, Tipton, Iowa
- Head strength coach, Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa
- Family practice physician and AT program medical director, Upper Iowa University, West Union, Iowa
- Staff nurse in surgical intensive care unit, Pella & Iowa City, Iowa
- Strength coach, Sterling Physical Therapy, Pella, Iowa
- Athletic trainer at Select Medical Corporation and Olympia High School, Orlando, Florida
- Elementary PE and freshman health teacher and coach, Orrick, Missouri
- Nurse practitioner, Norwalk, Iowa
- Recreation coordinator, Georgetown, Kentucky
- Assistant strength coach, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Assistant director of student health services, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota
- Strength and conditioning graduate student, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
- Athletic trainer, Pleasant Valley High School, Bettendorf, Iowa
- Forest fire firefighter/EMT, Washington state
- Athletic trainer, Mountain Pointe High School, Ahwatukee, Arizona
- Head athletic trainer, Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa
- Health coach, Healthways, Des Moines, Iowa
- Wellness specialist, Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, Iowa
- Head strength coach, William Penn University, Oskaloosa, Iowa
- Head strength coach, Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa
- Personal trainer, Work Systems Rehab and Fitness, Pella, Iowa
- Assistant professor of exercise science, Central College, Pella, Iowa
Internships
- Aspen Athletic Club, Des Moines, Iowa
- Aspen Wellness Institute, Denver, Colorado
- Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa
- Pella Regional Health Center, Pella
- Community Rehab, Physical Therapy, and Sports Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska
- Green Bay Packers, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Iowa Cubs, Des Moines, Iowa
- Sterling Physical Therapy, Pella, Iowa
- Work Systems Rehab and Fitness, Pella, Iowa
- University of Notre Dame, strength and conditioning
- University of Kentucky, strength and conditioning
- University of Iowa, strength and conditioning
- University of North Dakota, strength and conditioning
- University of Missouri, strength and conditioning
- YMCA, Newton and Oskaloosa, Iowa
- Anytime Fitness, Pella, Iowa
- Chicago Cubs spring training facility, Mesa, Ariz.
Graduate Placement
97 percent of graduates are employed or in graduate school within one year of graduation. Over 25 percent attend graduate school immediately following graduation from Central.
Learn more about internships at Central.
Courses
- Essentials of human anatomy and physiology
- Worksite programming, planning, and evaluation
- Epidemiology of physical activity
- Fitness after fifty
- Outdoor pursuits
- Foundations of health and exercise science
- First aid and sports injuries
- Adapted physical education
- Methods of teaching sports skills
- Human anatomy-kinesiology
- Fitness assessment and exercise prescription
- Exercise physiology
- Motor learning
- Personal health
- Principles of personal training
- Introduction to stress management
- Sport and exercise psychology
- Sports nutrition
- Group exercise leadership
- Substance abuse
- Human sexuality
- Health psychology
- Human anatomy and physiology
- CPR for the professional rescuer
- Athletic injury assessment
- Therapeutic exercise
- Therapeutic modalities
- Consumer community and global health
- Biomechanics
Sample Schedule
Curious about courses you’ll be taking your first year at Central as an exercise science major? A typical first-year schedule for each of the program areas includes:
Exercise science/health and exercise science major
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Foundations of health and exercise science
- First aid and sport injuries
- Biology and chemistry courses
- Core courses and/or electives
Exercise science/physical education major
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Foundations of health and exercise science
- First aid and sport injuries
- Fundamentals of cardiovascular endurance
- Fundamentals of muscular strength
- Education courses
- Core courses and/or electives
Exercise science/health promotion major
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Sports nutrition
- Fundamentals of cardiovascular endurance
- Fundamentals of muscular strength
- Foundations of health and exercise science
- First aid and sports injuries
- Personal health
- Core courses and/or electives
Exercise science/strength and conditioning major
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Fundamentals of cardiovascular endurance
- Fundamentals of muscular strength
- Foundations of health and exercise science
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
Facilities
- Central's state-of-the-art exercise science building built in 2010 features four technologically-equipped classrooms as well as an athletic training classroom completely dedicated to the athletic training education program. The athletic training classroom features stools and tables instead of desks and also includes taping stations. The building also features two conference rooms, which are completely computer integrated, a hydrostatic underwater weighing tank, which is one of only three that exists in the Midwest, and is located in the human performance lab. The building also showcases LCD screens for teaching instead of projection screens and also features classroom capture, which enables all classes to be videotaped for review by students.
- The Ron Schipper Fitness Center features a 7,200-square-foot weight training area
- A.N. Kuyper Field - synthetic 400-meter track and field turf football field
- P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium - resurfaced floor in 2010
- H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse - indoor track, extended to 200 meters in 1999 and resurfaced in 2009
- Ryerson Golf Range in 2003
- New soccer and intramural athletic fields
- Tennis courts, softball, baseball fields
- Cross-country competition course in 2002
- Athletic Training Clinic
Department Web site
Central’s exercise science department maintains its own website with even more information about majoring in exercise science.
Organizations
Exercise science students might be interested in Central's Exercise Science Club or CAAT (athletic training club). No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group or organization that you’ll want to join! Learn how you can get involved with groups and organizations at Central.
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study abroad with one of Central’s eight international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C., program. Learn more about Central’s study abroad programs.
