Exercise science
Athletic training/health promotion/physical education/strength and conditioning
Are you interested in the physiology of the human body and the way the body moves? Are you interested in athletic training, 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 170 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.”
Faculty
- Richard Bowzer, M.A., associate professor of exercise science,
bowzerr@central.edu
- 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, 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
- Jodee Schaben, Ph.D., instructor of exercise science
schabenj@central.edu
- Chris Viesselman, M.Ed., instructor of exercise science, assistant athletic trainer, viesselmanc@central.edu
Successful Careers
- Tennis coach and professor, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa
- Wilderness therapy instructor, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Graduate student, Arizona State University, Chandler, Ariz.
- Strength and conditioning grad student, Duke University, Durham, N.C.
- Assistant athletic trainer, Green Bay Packers, Green Bay, Wis.
- Personal trainer and Ph.D. student, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- High school P.E. instructor, Knoxville, Iowa
- Corporate fitness and wellness, Advocate Fitness, Chicago, Ill.
- Occupational therapist, Kansas City, Kan.
- Orthopaedic sales rep, Norfolk, Neb.
- ICU nurse, Atlanta, Ga.
- Physical therapist, Tipton, Iowa
- Family practice physician and AT program medical director, Upper Iowa University, West Union, Iowa
- Staff nurse in surgical intensive care unit, Iowa City, Iowa
- Athletic trainer at Select Medical Corporation and Olympia High School, Orlando, Fla.
- Elementary PE and freshman health teacher and coach, Orrick, Mo.
- Football coach, University of Redlands, Norco, Calif.
- Nurse practitioner, Norwalk, Iowa
- Recreation coordinator, Georgetown, Ky.
- Iowa State University graduate assistant, kinesiology department, Ames, Iowa
- Assistant director of student health services, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minn.
Internships
- Aspen Athletic Club, Des Moines, Iowa
- Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa
- Pella Regional Health Center, Pella
- Community Rehab, Physical Therapy, and Sports Medicine, Omaha, Neb.
- Green Bay Packers, Green Bay, Wis.
- 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
Graduate Placement
97 percent of graduates are employed are 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
- 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 and 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
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 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
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Fundamentals of cardiovascular endurance
- Fundamentals of muscular strength
- Principles and Theories of strength and conditioning
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
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 in 2003
- New soccer and intramural athletic fields
- Tennis courts, softball, baseball fields
- Cross-country competition course in 2002
- Athletic Training Clinic remodeled in 1999
Department Web site
Central’s exercise science department maintains its own Web site with even more information about majoring in exercise science.
Organizations
Exercise science students might be interested in Central's Exercise Science Club or CAAT's (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.
