Exercise Science Course Descriptions

HES 100 Lifetime Health and Wellness
1 hour
Fulfills: Wellness (Wel)

This common course for all first-year students examines holistic dimensions of wellness and the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary for developing and maintaining health in a diverse world throughout college and across the lifespan. An emphasis will be placed on individual health and wellness promoting behaviors within an ever-changing social environment through weekly lectures, activities, and self-assessments.

HES 110 Skills Class
1 hour
Fulfills: Skl

 Skills courses are designed to expose students to lifetime activities. The major emphasis of these courses is to acquire basic knowledge of the activity, enhance/improve skill performance, and develop health related fitness. Courses may be selected from aerobic fitness, archery, badminton, bowling, disc golf, fly fishing, golf, individual and dual sports, insanity, pilates, racquetball, racquet sports, rock climbing, ropes course, swim fitness, lifeguard instruction, soccer, team sports, tennis, strength training, yoga or other activity options provided based on staffing. A student may apply a maximum of three credits hours of skills (HES 110; previously ES 110) plus one HES 100 (previously HP 100) toward the 128 hours required for graduation.

HES 125 Introduction to Nutrition
2 hour
Prerequisites: Admission into Nursing or Education program or Consent of Instructor

  An introductory course emphasizing the fundamental and practical aspects of nutrition. This course will include discussion of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fluids. Special topics such as sport nutrition, supplements, energy balance, weight loss, and food safety will be examined. Students will complete a diet analysis, caloric expenditure, and label assignment.

HES 126 Human Performance Nutrition
2 hour
Fulfills: NWNL

A comprehensive course emphasizing fundamental aspects of nutrition and explores the practical application of nutritional concepts related to health, fitness, and human physical performance. This course includes discussion of the basic nutrient groups, supplements, nutritional labeling, energy balance, dietary planning, food safety, food and society, food production and sources, malnutrition in the United States and the world, gastrointestinal disorders and their effects on nutrition. Students will implement knowledge of nutrition into dietary planning and prescription for specific situations.

HES 180 Wellness and Fitness Abroad
4 hours
Fulfills: HB
Prerequisites: Consent of Instructor

This course affords students a unique opportunity to explore wellness concepts and participate in fitness activities in an international setting. The course is designed to promote healthy lifestyles and increase the enjoyment of physical activity. The international setting, which may vary from year to year, exposes students to a different culture and unique fitness activities. (This course will fulfill 3 credits towards the exercise science skills requirement)

HES 190 First Aid, CPR & AED
2 hours

Instruction and practice in procedures for providing emergency care, including first aid, CPR and AED techniques, to adults, children and infants.  The written and practical testing for First Aid, CPR, and AED certification through either the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association will be administered.  Students successfully meeting the minimum standards set by the appropriate agency will be certified. 

HES 233 Stress Management
4 hours
Fulfills: HB

This course approaches stress management, grit, and resilience from a holistic perspective. Causes and effects of stress, signs and symptoms produced by stress, and modalities for managing stress, perseverance and passion for long term goals, and building resilience are emphasized. Students will gain practical knowledge of stress management techniques for daily life.

HES 260 Adaptive Physical Activity
4 hours

A study of the physiological, cognitive, and behavioral factors affecting learning and development. The primary emphasis is on experiential learning. Luther students work individually with youth (ages 3-18) from area school districts to adapt activities to their specific needs.

HES 261 Applied Human Anatomy
4 hours
Fulfills: NWL

A study of the essential structural features of human anatomy with special reference to applications related to activities of daily living, injury, and human movement associated with occupational and athletic activities. Laboratory focuses on applied functional anatomy.

HES 264 Kinesiology and Biomechanics
4 hours
Fulfills NWNL
Prerequisites: HES 261 or ES 261 or BIO 115

Study of human movement and the mechanical principles, both kinetic and kinematic, as they apply to human motion. Identification of muscles, planes of movement, description of motion, levers, and internal and external forces as they apply to motion.

HES 323 Principles of Strength Training and Conditioning
4 hours
Prerequisites: HES 261 or ES 261 or BIO 115, HES 264 or ES 365

A study of the structural and functional factors related to training adaptations associated with various physically active populations. This course meets objectives for National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification.

HES 324 Principles of Fitness Assessment
4 hours

Instruction of fundamental principles of fitness testing, development of practical assessment skills and interpretation of results based upon National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) health-related fitness assessment protocols and recommendations, including pre-participation screenings, anthropometric measures, flexibility, anaerobic muscular fitness, proprioceptive capabilities, and aerobic capacity.

HES 340 Exercise Techniques
4 hours
Prerequisite: HES 264 or ES 264 or consent of instructor

The course will be taught in accordance with the principles recommended by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Course content will include principles of anaerobic and aerobic training techniques and experiential learning in technique assessment and development. Topics will include flexibility, strength, power, anaerobic capacity, aerobic capacity, speed, agility, balance and stability.

HES 343 Motor Learning
4 hours
Fulfills: HB, W

The principles of motor development over the lifespan including motor control and motor learning are presented with emphasis on examining how the interactions of the individual, environment, and task bring about changes in a person’s movements. Focus areas will address growth benchmarks, activities of daily living, gait, and influence of disease.

HES 358 Substance Abuse Prevention
4 hours
Fulfills: HB

This course examines drug use and its effects on society as well as on the individual. The behavioral, pharmacological, historical, social, legal, and clinical determinants of substance use and abuse will be covered. Both theoretical and evidence-based practical approaches to identifying substance abuse problems and implementing substance abuse prevention will be addressed.

HES 365 Current Issues in Health & Fitness
4 hours
Fulfills: HB

In this course students will investigate current local, national, and international health issues causing disparities in health. Students will actively participate in selecting course topics, work collaboratively with others in developing and implementing course objectives, and will research, write, and present information on selected course topics.

HES 366 Physiology of Exercise
4 hours
Fulfills: NWL, W
Prerequisites: HES 261 or ES 261 or BIO 115

Designed to provide scientific background and laboratory experience essential for understanding the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory system responses and adaptations to physical stress.

HES 372 Administration and Management of Health & Fitness Programs
4 hours

Administrative and management issues confronting professionals in the health and fitness industries will be explored. Organizational issues including policies and procedures, scheduling, facility and personnel management, financial and legal considerations, and marketing will be examined.

HES 375 Directed Readings
1,2,4 hours

An opportunity to pursue a specialized area of the discipline for which course offerings are limited by following a prescribed reading list under the direction of a faculty member.

HES 380 Internship
1,2,4 hours
Graded credit/no credit.

Supervised on-or off-campus work situations in public or private organizations.

HES 425 Program Design and Periodization
4 hours
Fulfills: W
Prerequisites: HES 323 or ES 323, HES 324 or ES 324, & HES 340 or ES 340

Didactic and applied application in the design and development of periodized exercise programs for athletic, occupational, and special populations.

HES 430 Exercise Science Practicum
1, 2, 4 hours
Prerequisites: HES 380 or ES 380

This experiential learning course is designed to give students the opportunity to apply knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired in the classroom. Students will serve as exercise specialists for members of the campus and local community; provide assessments, prescribe appropriate interventions, provide proper instruction, and design appropriate programs based on clients’ needs and abilities.

HES 490 Senior Project
1, 2, or 4 hours