2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

KNS 402 Exercise Physiology

This course provides an overview of exercise physiology theory and principles related to acute and chronic exercise including concepts such as muscular work, fatigue, differences in response to exercise related to gender, age, training and detraining. Environmental conditions will also be discussed. (HFA, HPE, and PE majors.) 

Credits

3

Prerequisites

KNS 217; KNS 218

Corequisites

KNS 404

Offered

Fall

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Describe the structure and function of skeletal muscle.
  2. Describe how the body adapts to aerobic and anaerobic training.
  3. Explain the principles of thermoregulation, describe how the body responds to exercise in hot & cold environments.
  4. Describe how the body responds to exercise at altitude.
  5. Apply the principles of exercise to training for sport.
  6. Explain sound principles for optimizing body composition and nutrition for sport.
  7. Explain the benefits and risks involved with using ergogenic aids within the sport environment.
  8. Describe sound principles for helping children and adolescents to achieve their goals in sport and exercise.
  9. Apply the principles of safe exercise prescription for an aging client base.
  10. Explain the physiological differences between males and females in sport and exercise.
  11. Determine sound exercise prescriptions for health and fitness and modifications for chronic disease.
  12. Explain the metabolic and hormonal control of fuel for exercising muscle.
  13. Explain the risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease, & describe how physical activity affects them.
  14. Explain the risk factors that contribute to obesity and diabetes, and describe how physical activity affects them.
  15. Describe the neural control of exercising muscle.
  16. Explain how energy is expended during exercise and its effect on fatigue.
  17. Describe the components that control the cardiovascular system.
  18. Describe the structure and function of the respiratory system and its regulation.
  19. Explain the body's cardiorespiratory response to acute exercise.
  20. Explain the principles of exercise training.
  21. Describe how the body adapts to resistance training.