Exercise Science

The Exercise Science Department's primary goal is to prepare competent entry-level Exercise Science professionals in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Program highlights include the following:

• Intimate and engaging classroom and laboratory settings allow you to build relationships among professors and fellow students who share your dedication.
• In the new human physiology lab, you’ll conduct exercise and performance testing using cutting-edge equipment, analyze your findings, and prescribe exercises accordingly.
• Under faculty supervision, start working with real subjects as early as your first year.
• Students have opportunities to conduct research with peers, graduate students, and faculty, and have published and presented at local, regional and national conferences.
• Students interested in applying to Chatham’s Doctor of Physical Therapy, Athletic Training or Physician Assistant programs complete all pre-requisite classes while working towards their exercise science degree and have access to an advisor from the respective program.

Principles of Strength and Conditioning

Students learn to integrate anatomical and physiological function into a comprehensive strength and conditioning model. Topics include testing, evaluation, exercise techniques, program design, and aerobic endurance training. Students are introduced to facility organization, risk management, and developing a policies and procedure manual.

Exercise and Nutrition

This course introduces the student to the science of human nutrition and the relationship between health, exercise, and food intake. Basic topics of digestion, absorption, metabolism, interaction, and functions of nutrients will be covered. Special topics include optimal nutrition for exercise and sport, energy use during exercise, evaluation of body composition (body fat, muscle mass), development of obesity, weight management, and nutritional factors in planning a successful muscular strength and endurance program.

Kinesiology and Movement Science

This course will cover the movement of muscles as well as their function and interaction with other muscles. It will also examine theories, principles, and practical applications in motor control and learning. Attention is given to the physiological and psychological foundations of motor control and learning.