Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology for Fitness Professions

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) via Coursera

Overview

In this course, you will gain the necessary scientific education that provides the groundwork for the application of safe and effective programming for fitness clients. Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology are the sciences that provide the basis for fully understanding the parts of the body, how it works, and how it moves. It is vital for personal fitness trainers to have a strong understanding of anatomical structures, systems, and their functions to help guide clients in achieving their goals. By applying the understanding of Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology in a fitness setting, you will be able to design and implement safe and effective exercise programs that meet the diverse needs of each client. This course will help you understand these concepts as a basis for applying them in real-world settings. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Explain the importance of understanding Anatomy as a fitness professional. • Explain the importance of understanding Physiology as a fitness professional. • Explain the importance of understanding Kinesiology as a fitness professional. • Apply the understanding of Anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology in a fitness setting.

Syllabus

Week 1 - Introduction to Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology for the Professional Fitness Trainer

The study of the human movement system encompasses the essential principles of anatomy and physiology, focusing on the kinetic chain, which includes the skeletal and muscular systems. This comprehensive overview explores how these systems interact to facilitate movement, detailing the structure and function of bones, joints, and muscles. Emphasis is placed on understanding how posture, activity, and nutrition impact body mechanics and overall functionality. This foundational knowledge is crucial for fitness professionals dedicated to optimizing human performance and preventing injuries. Upon completion of this week’s lessons, the aspiring fitness professional will be able to:

Week 2 - Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (Part II)

The nervous system, a complex network of billions of cells, functions as the communication hub within the human body, integrating sensory, integrative, and motor functions to maintain internal and external balance. Sensory functions allow the nervous system to detect changes in the environment, integrative functions process and interpret these sensory inputs, and motor functions generate appropriate neuromuscular responses. The system is divided into the central nervous system, comprising the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, consisting of cranial and spinal nerves along with sensory receptors. Understanding of how the nervous system responds to exercise is essential for developing proper movement patterns and reducing injury risk. Upon completion of this week’s lessons, the aspiring fitness professional will be able to:

Week 3 - Introduction to Exercise Physiology

Understanding the basic physiological mechanisms of energy conversion is crucial before designing exercise programs for clients. Bioenergetics, the study of energy in the human body, examines how chemical energy from food is transformed into mechanical energy for muscle contractions. The cardiorespiratory system, consisting of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, ensures the delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and waste removal for optimal cellular function. The cardiovascular system includes the heart, blood, and blood vessels, while the respiratory system manages the intake and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Additionally, the body utilizes three primary bioenergetic pathways—ATP-PCr, glycolysis, and oxidative—to produce ATP, the essential energy source for physical activity. Upon completion of this week’s lessons, the aspiring fitness professional will be able to:

Week 4 - Introduction to Kinesiology

Biomechanics and kinesiology apply principles of physics to analyze how forces interact within the human body, focusing on the movements produced by the kinetic chain and the forces acting upon it. This includes understanding anatomical terminology, planes of motion, joint movements, muscle actions, levers, and muscle synergies. Health and fitness professionals must grasp these concepts to effectively communicate and design training programs that optimize movement and prevent injuries. Upon completion of this week’s lessons, the aspiring fitness professional will be able to:

Course 2 Final Quiz and Assignment

The final quiz is designed to assess your understanding and mastery of the key concepts covered throughout the course. It will include questions from all the major topics discussed in Weeks 1 to 4, ensuring that you have a solid grasp of the principles and practices of advanced personal fitness training. The final peer-reviewed assignment aims to assess your practical skills in evaluating and analyzing the kinetic chain components involved in specific exercises, explaining the function of the muscular system, using basic anatomical terminology, and understanding different types of muscle actions. By completing it, you will demonstrate your ability to analyze and assess kinetic chain components during exercise, use anatomical terminology, and understand muscle actions in various movements.