Exercise science
Do you like to study the physiology of the human body? Are you interested in athletic training? You might be a fit for one of the three exercise science major tracks at Central College. Central offers programs in athletic training, health promotion and physical education as well as an exercise science minor. Graduates have gone on to become successfully employed or attend top graduate school programs.
Faculty
- Richard Bowzer, M.A., associate professor of exercise science, bowzerr@central.edu
- Leslie Duinink, M.S., assistant professor of exercise science, head athletic trainer, 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., assistant 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
- Dustin Briggs M.S., instructor of exercise science, assistant athletic trainer, briggsd@central.edu
Successful Careers
- Nikki Armstrong Carlson, exercise physiologist, Shenandoah Medical Center, Shenandoah, Iowa
- Michelle Berger, personal trainer, Aspen Athletic Clubs, Des Moines, Iowa
- Jennifer Bertolani, physical therapy technician, St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Henderson, Nev.
- Timothy Block, certified athletic trainer, Plaza Physical Therapy Clinic and athletic trainer at North Scott Schools, Davenport, Iowa
- Scott Bohner, medical school president, Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa
- Joseph Borg, lawyer, Iowa Court of Appeals, Des Moines, Iowa
- Mitch Comstock, elementary health and physical education teacher, North Kansas City School District, Kansas City, Mo.
- Christopher Forman, sports information assistant, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass.
- Jodi Graber, owner and instructor, Purely Pilates, West Des Moines, Iowa
- Jennifer Hansen, graduate student OT program, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.
- Wendy Schuh, alcohol and drug education coordinator, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minn.
- Karrie Vander Sluis, M.Ed., ATC/L, outreach coordinator, Rehabilitation Services Department, Ellsworth Municipal Hospital, Iowa Falls, Iowa
- Kris Van Houten,
- Nathan Weir, assistant athletic trainer, Green Bay Packers, Green Bay, Wis.
Internships
- Jessica Phillips, Mercy Hospital and Aspen Athletic Club, Des Moines, Iowa
- Gabriel Martinez, Pella Regional Health Center, Pella
- Angela Metzger, Pella Regional Health Center, Pella
- Christina Olson, Community Rehab, Physical Therapy, and Sports Medicine, Omaha, Neb.
- Mark Sanger, Pella Health and Fitness, Pella
Learn more about internships at Central.
Courses
- Introduction to human anatomy and physiology
- Fundamentals of dance
- Fundamentals of cardiovascular endurance
- Fundamentals of muscular strength
- Foundations of health and exercise science
- First aid and sports injuries
- Adapted physical education
- Methods of teaching sports skills
- Human anatomy-kinesiology
- Operation & management of exercise and sports medicine facilities
- Fitness assessment and exercise prescription
- Exercise physiology
- Motor learning
- Fundamentals and theory of baseball and softball
- Fundamentals and theory of track and field
- Fundamentals and theory of basketball
- Fundamentals and theory of football
- Fundamentals and theory of soccer
- Fundamentals and theory of volleyball
- Personal health
- Principles of personal training
- Fitness assessment and exercise prescription
- Principles of management
- Principles of marketing
- Introduction to stress management
- Fundamentals of golf
- Fundamentals of tennis
- Fundamentals of racquetball
- Sport and exercise psychology
- Sports nutrition
- Substance abuse
- Human sexuality
- Internship
- Health psychology
- Human anatomy and physiology
- CPR for the professional rescuer
- Athletic injury assessment: lower
- Athletic injury assessment: upper
- Therapeutic exercise
- Therapeutic modalities
- Consumer health
- Biomechanics
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
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/physical education major
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Foundations of health and exercise science
- First aid and sport injuries
- Fundamentals of dance
- Fundamentals of cardiovascular endurance
- Fundamentals of muscular strength
- Education courses
- Core courses and/or electives
Exercise science/health promotion major
- Introduction to human anatomy and physiology
- Introduction to 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/athletic training major
- Foundations of health and exercise science
- First aid and sports injuries
- Introduction to human anatomy & physiology
- Core courses and/or electives
Facilities
- The Ron Schipper Fitness Center opened in 1999 and features a 7,200-square-foot weight training area
- A.N. Kuyper Field with new synthetic 400-meter track and new field turf football field
- P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium with $120,000 game floor added in 1997
- Human performance lab opened in 1999 and remodeled in 2004
- H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse with indoor track, extended to 200 meters in 1999
- Ryerson Golf Range, new in 2003
- New soccer and intramural athletic fields
- Tennis courts, softball, baseball fields
- Cross-country competition course, new in 2002
Departmental Web site
Central’s exercise science department maintains its own Web site with even more information about majoring in exercise science.
Organizations
No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group or organization that you’ll want to join! Click here to learn how you can get involved with groups and organizations at Central. Exercise science students might be interested in Central's Exercise Science Club or CAAT's (athletic training club).
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study abroad with one of Central’s 10 international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C., program. Learn more about about Central’s study abroad programs.
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