Course Description
Students will examine principles of physical fitness and the components of health-related fitness, skill-related fitness, and functional fitness. Physical literacy and health promotion techniques will be explored, along with theories and models of lifestyle behaviour change. Students will design, lead, and evaluate individual and group fitness programs for people of different ages and abilities within Therapeutic Recreation settings.
Course Content
The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course:
Course content will be guided by research, empirical knowledge, and best practice. The following values and principles, consistent with professional standards, will inform course content.
- Increasing knowledge of the principles of physical fitness equips therapeutic recreation practitioners to facilitate health-related, skill-related, and functional fitness programming for clients across the lifespan.
- Learning physical literacy concepts and health promotion techniques including exercise screening, awareness of nutrition, and lifestyle choices is essential for therapeutic recreation practitioners to successfully promote the benefits of physical activity across the lifespan.
- An essential skill in providing therapeutic recreation services is to develop session plans and client centred goals for fitness and adaptive fitness programming.
- Gaining insight into the principles of physical activity and physical activity guidelines equips therapeutic recreation practitioners to successfully collaborate with other health professionals.
- Applying leadership theories, styles, and techniques prepares therapeutic recreation practitioners to promote wellness through physical activity and fitness programs.
- To safely facilitate physical activity and fitness programs, therapeutic recreation practitioners must thoroughly understand and apply concepts related to safety awareness, injury prevention, and exercise precautions.
Means of Assessment
This course will conform to the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:
- Written assignments
- Presentations
- Tests
- Participation
This is a letter graded course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Explain principles of fitness.
2. Discuss health-related physical fitness, skill-related fitness, and functional fitness including basic exercise physiology and nutrition.
3. Apply physical literacy knowledge and techniques.
4. Apply theory in the design of individual and group physical fitness programs for individuals with varying needs and abilities.
5. Create session plans for physical fitness programs within Therapeutic Recreation settings.
6. Lead and evaluate individual and group physical fitness programs for individuals with varying needs and abilities.
7. Explain the role of the TR Practitioner in safety awareness, injury prevention, and screening for readiness for exercise.
Textbook Materials
A list of textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.