Health and Human Performance

The Health and Human Performance program is offered through the College of Nursing and Human Services. The multi-disciplinary curriculum provides students with a broad knowledge base and hands-on learning opportunities to practice essential skills. The program prepares students for several careers and/or graduate programs in areas such as health and wellness, fitness, and physical performance.

Courses

HHP-115: Introduction to Health and Human Performance

Credits 3
This class is an introduction to health and human performance as a field of study, with a focus on the historical background, objectives, and philosophical foundation of the disciplines. Course content includes an overview of exercise physiology, sport and exercise psychology, sociocultural aspects of sport and exercise, strength and conditioning, motor development, biomechanics, health, and physical education.

HHP-210: Emergency Care and Response

Credits 3
This course provides the citizen responder with the knowledge and skills necessary for health, first aid, and safety training in emergency care. Through in-depth skills training and testing, the course is designed to teach the layperson how to respond to emergencies in the home, workplace, or in the community until professional help arrives. This course meets the requirements for American Heart Association Heartsaver certification.

HHP-310: Sports Nutrition

Credits 3
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the principles of nutrition as they pertain to athletic performance and physical health. Students will learn about the role of macronutrients, micronutrients, hydration, and supplements in sports, as well as strategies for optimizing performance and recovery through diet. Prerequisites: HEA 261.

HHP-315: Kinesiology

Credits 3
This course is the study of the mechanics and biomechanics of human movement, with emphasis on analysis of motor skills. Preventative and rehabilitory exercise methods, application of physical laws, classes of levers, origins and insertions of muscles, and principles underlying movement in range of flexibility, strength, and endurance are covered. Prerequisite: BMS 171 or BMS 471.

HHP-320: Exercise Physiology

Credits 3 3
This course examines the effects of physical stress on the human system at the subcellular level, tissue, organ, and organism levels, with a focus on energy production, expenditure (metabolism), muscle contraction, cell signaling, and pulmonary functions among others. Prerequisite: BMS 172 or BMS 472 and a grade of "C" or better in HHP 315.

HHP-330: Motor Development

Credits 3
The focus of this course is the study of basic principles of motor learning, motor control, and motor development as they relate to human voluntary movement. The course will involve applications of principles through observations and assessment of motor behavior and motor development from learning to performance (acquisition of skill) throughout the life span, from infancy to older adulthood. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

HHP-340: Life Cycle Nutrition

Credits 3
This course examines nutrient requirements and dietary practices across the humanlifespan. Students will explore the physiological, psychological, and sociocultural factorsinfluencing nutrition during preconception, pregnancy, lactation, childhood, adolescence,adulthood, and geriatric nutrition. Application of nutrition principles to health promotion,disease prevention, and chronic condition management across populations will beemphasized. Prerequisite: HEA 261

HHP-370: Principles of Strength and Conditioning

Credits 3 3
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of strength and conditioning. Topics include exercise physiology, biomechanics, resistance training, aerobic conditioning, and the development of sport-specific training programs. Students will learn how to assess physical performance, develop periodized training plans, and incorporate recovery strategies to optimize athletic performance. Practical experiences will reinforce theoretical knowledge, allowing students to apply strength and conditioning techniques. Prerequisite: HHP 315.

HHP-390: Special Topics in Health and Human Performance

Credits 3
This course is a study of a selected topic of special interest. The topic may be proposed by either the instructor or students, and may be taken for credit any number of times, provided a different topic is studied each time. Prerequiste: HHP 115 and Sophomore standing.

HHP-415: Exercise Testing and Prescription

Credits 3
This course covers concepts involved in exercise testing and prescription for the healthy adult as outlined by The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as well as for patients/clients with specific needs or disease. The pathophysiology, risk factors, exercise responses, and issues of concern will be discussed as they relate to special populations of children, pregnancy, older adults and those with diagnosis of disease involving the cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and immunologic systems. Students will also administer a battery of fitness tests to assess components of health-related physical fitness and prescribe a program of exercise based on goals. Prerequisites: HHP 315 and MTH 200 or SSC 285.

HHP-430: Exercise for Special Populations

Credits 3
This course presents an overview of the benefits of regular fitness and physical activity programs for special populations including but not limited to: older adults, children, pregnant, those with chronic diseases, or those recovering from injuries where modifications to standard exercises is necessary. This course will introduce a variety of special populations and discuss the ways in which regular physical activity will benefit these individuals. Emphasis will be placed upon the positive benefits of regular physical activity to promote longevity but also on specific diseases, decreasing morbidity, and increasing quality and quantity of life. Prerequisites: HHP 115 and Junior standing.

HHP-440: Organization and Administration

Credits 3 3
This course focuses on the principles and methods of planning, designing, budgeting, managing, and optimizing sports facilities and equipment. This course provides a hands-on experience equipping students with the skills needed to effectively develop and oversee fitness, athletic and exercise facilities in a variety of settings. Ideal for those pursuing careers in coaching, personal training, sports performance, and health promotion. Prerequisites: HHP 115 and Junior standing.

HHP-452: Capstone in Health and Human Performance

Credits 3
This capstone course will accommodate the needs and career interests of each student to include mentored research, engagement in career and professional development, and/or practicum/internship experiences. Prerequisite: Seventy-two (72) credit hours.