Physical Activity and Health

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Evaluate physical inactivity as a public health problem.
• Explain the major terms used to describe and evaluate physical activity and physical fitness.
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of physical activity and physical fitness measurement tools.
• Apply general epidemiological principles when investigating physical activity’s role in health promotion and the prevention of morbidity and mortality.
• List key epidemiological studies of physical activity and mortality and discuss their contribution to our understanding of physical activity and public health.
• Possess a general knowledge of the strength of the association between physical activity/exercise and major health parameters.
• Analyze physical activity behavior and environmental factors in relation to physical activity participation
• Understand the influence of various individual difference variables on fitness, physical activity promotion, and its promotion.
• Understand the current recommendations for physical activity and accurately discuss their benefits and limitations.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Exams	50%
Grant proposal	25%
Journal article presentation	15%
Participation	10%

Grading Scale:

Percentage	Letter Grade
92-100	A
90-91	A-
88-89	B+
82-88	B
80-81	B-
78-79	C+
72-77	C
70-71	C-
Below 70	F

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance and engagement in class is expected. Unexcused or repetitive absences and lack of proper contribution to group projects are examples of where points might be deducted.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Kohl HW, Murray TD, Salvo D. Foundations of Physical Activity and Public Health (3rd edition). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2026.