Exercise and Health Physiology
Bachelor of Kinesiology (also available as a Bachelor of Science)
(Faculty of Kinesiology)
The Exercise and Health Physiology (EXHP) program builds on the fundamental knowledge of human movement and function to focus on the impact that lifestyle, exercise and diet have on the human body, and how they affect hereditary and environmental disease. EXHP majors acquire the theoretical, practical and experiential foundations that explain how the body responds to acute exercise stress and chronic physical activity at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels.
Students also develop an understanding of acute and chronic changes that occur when training for high-performance sport, or while using fitness equipment, and apply this knowledge to diverse groups ranging from the inactive to elite athletes. Exercise and Health Physiologists grapple with questions related to basic human physiology such as, “What factors regulate bodily functions?” or “What sequence of events occur between the stimulus and the response in the regulatory process?” They then apply their findings to individual or team performance outcomes.
EXHP majors develop an appreciation of the complex metabolic and physiologic functioning of the human body. The EXHP program includes course work in chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics and statistics in addition to the kinesiology core curriculum common to all degrees from the Faculty of Kinesiology. These are followed with topical studies in biomechanics, sport psychology, sport medicine, health physiology, skeletal muscle properties or environmental stress.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Faculty of Kinesiology, applicants are required to present the appropriate high school subjects and a competitive average.
Application/Document DeadlinesWhy Study Exercise and Health Physiology?
Active Lifestyle
Do you believe that activity and exercise are integral parts of a balanced lifestyle? Students with a desire to work in the health and fitness industry or high-performance sport will find the EXHP program essential and rewarding as they share their enthusiasm for healthy living with others. When educating, testing or counselling clients, EXHP graduates have the unique opportunity to help others develop healthier lifestyles and realize their full physical potential.
Up to the challenge?
The program requires that students be knowledgeable in a wide range of disciplines to meet the diverse challenges of work in the exercise and health physiology field. In the EXHP program, students learn physiology principles covering complex cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic functioning of the human body, and incorporate this knowledge into their study of human movement. Students must be able to handle the demands of both scientific study and the application of science principles in the Human Performance Laboratory. In addition, they are expected to develop strong communications skills and ethical practices to ensure that all their future client interactions are informative, effective and beneficial.
Healthy beginnings
Do you already have the qualifications to teach a fitness or activity class? Many individuals entering the EXHP program have certifications including the Basic Fitness Leader Theory and Group Exercise Leader from the Alberta Fitness Leader Certification Association (AFLCA). This program also attracts individuals such as Registered Massage Therapists (RMT) and Emergency Medical Therapists (EMT) who want to round out their education by earning an EXHP degree. Whether you’re in the middle of your career or just starting out, the Exercise and Health Physiology program can increase your career opportunities by enhancing your theoretical and practical knowledge of the human body. The program has been highly successful in preparing individuals for professional degrees in medicine and physiotherapy, as well as post-graduate studies in clinical exercise physiology, sports medicine, and chiropractic studies.
What Can I Do with My Degree?
EXHP graduates possess specialized knowledge about the metabolic, systemic and structural functioning of the human body with respect to human movement. They have strong research and critical-thinking skills, and are able to communicate effectively. Graduates may pursue careers in exercise physiology laboratories at universities, with medical facilities, sport and fitness companies, sport medicine and rehabilitation, and other health-related industries. Exercise and Health Physiology degree holders may also find career opportunities that include:
Government
Amateur sport coach, Health Canada
Education/communication
Fitness media/journalist, health promotion
Business
Fitness entrepreneur, allied health, physiotherapy and chiropractic fields, cardiac rehabilitation, pharmaceutical sales
U of C Curriculum Features
The curriculum fosters opportunities to develop a coherent range of knowledge and abilities in inquiry, critical thinking, problem solving and effective communication, the essential competencies and lifelong learning skills associated with graduates of a quality research university.
Interdisciplinary component
Kinesiology involves the study of human movement and function from many different theoretical and applied perspectives, including the natural and medical sciences, social sciences, and humanities. These fields are incorporated into the curriculum through course offerings in biomechanics, psychology, socio-cultural studies and anatomy, as well as core requirements in biology and zoology. The EXHP degree program also features a compulsory science component consisting of courses in chemistry, computer science, mathematics, statistics and biochemistry.
International component
The EXHP program contains two required courses within the kinesiology core curriculum, KNES 243 and 245, which focus on international perspectives. These courses explore physical education and sport in Ancient Greece and Rome, the effects of nationalism on physical education in Europe and North America, and the impact of sport on culture, politics and social organizations. In KNES 473 – Exercise Physiology, students are familiarized with contributions made by international scientists in exercise physiology research, while KNES 433 – Health and Physical Activity explores Canada’s international impact on health promotion. Students may enhance the international component of their degree by participating in student-exchange programs offered through the International Student Centre or by attending weekly seminars in the Human Performance Lab featuring local and international scholars.
Experiential learning
The university houses world-class athletic facilities used by students in activity courses (e.g., basketball and volleyball) to develop skill levels and build strengths in the evaluation and development of exercise programs. Some courses within the kinesiology core program contain a laboratory, activity, or research component so students can develop first-hand knowledge of kinesiology fundamentals. The EXHP curriculum offers additional experiential learning opportunities in classes that build student familiarity with technology, equipment and computer software specific to the Exercise and Health Physiology field. Students also develop and practice oral and written communication skills through work on essays, presentations and group projects.
Faculty-student interaction
Students interact with instructors on a regular basis in the KNES 201 and 203 core courses featuring multiple athletic activity, and health and performance modules. Faculty members mentor EXHP majors during KNES 503 directed-studies projects and KNES 490 honours projects. In addition, the Faculty of Kinesiology organizes informal gatherings between faculty members and students to build a sense of community within the faculty. For instance, faculty-led Career Night for Health and Exercise Physiology Students workshops offer students information on job searches and career development.
Integration of research
Instructors incorporate their own and others’ research into course lectures and presentations to provide students with current and relevant information. The faculty also hosts a weekly seminar series on current research in the kinesiology field with presentations by visiting professors. Many courses require students to participate, conduct and report on research in the kinesiology field. For example, students in KNES 433 conduct modified metabolic profiles on themselves involving blood lipids, nutritional analysis and health hazard appraisal, and generate personal health reports with detailed analyses and interpretations of their data. These activities assist in developing students’ evaluation and research skills, and enhance their ability to think critically and analytically.
A Quick Look at First Year
For descriptions of the following courses, please refer to the current University Calendar.
First-year courses
After deciding how many courses to take each session, students should choose their courses from:
- core courses common to all majors (see below);
- courses required in the particular major chosen by the student (link); and
- option courses (to explore other academic areas, meet minor requirements, etc.) First-year students are limited to 200-level courses; however, there is a great deal of flexibility in choosing which courses to take! For course descriptions, please go to the University of Calgary Calendar: http://www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/
200-level core courses common to all majors
Biology 231 – Introduction to Cellular Biology
Kinesiology 201 – Activity: Essence and Experience
Kinesiology 203 – Activity: Health and Performance
Kinesiology 213 – Introduction to Research in Kinesiology
Kinesiology 237 - Introduction to Nutrition
Kinesiology 243 - History of Movement Culture
Kinesiology 245 – Socio-Cultural Perspectives in Sport
Kinesiology 251 – Mind Sciences I
Kinesiology 253 – Mind Sciences II
Kinesiology 261 – Human Anatomy
Kinesiology 263 – Biomechanics I (Prerequisite: Kinesiology 261)
Additional Information
Student Finance
