Department of Exercise Science

Exercise Science, also known as "Kinesiology," is the scientific study of how the body responds and adapts to physical activity. Through Exercise Science, we learn how to improve athletic performance and physical function, to enhance health and well-being, and to prevent, manage, and treat chronic conditions. Primary sub-disciplines within this field include:

• Athletic Training & Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology
• Exercise and Sport Nutrition
• Exercise and Sport Psychology
• Health Promotion
• Motor Behavior
• Physical Education Pedagogy
• Sport Philosophy & Sociology

 

Exercise Science at Bellarmine

Our Exercise Science students are equipped with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to examining and understanding physical activity behaviors, outcomes, and issues across the lifespan. Through the provision of applied and practical experiences, research opportunities, community engagement, professional development, and personalized mentorship, the Department of Exercise Science delivers a student experience that is both distinctive and transformative.

The department's committed and dedicated team of faculty and staff work collaboratively to foster a holistic understanding of health, function, and wellness through the study and promotion of physical activity from individual to community settings, which reflects the university’s emphasis on developing of the whole person (i.e., mind, body, and spirit) and improving the human condition. Additionally, this customizable degree allows students to meet their personal interests, needs, and ultimate career goals via the selection of focused program tracks:

• Health & Wellness Track

  • Emphasizes the role of physical activity on health promotion; specialized courses include:
    • Health Behavior Theory
    • Community Wellness & Engagement
    • Exercise and Chronic Disease
      
      

• Sport Performance Track

  • Highlights the role of exercise physiology on the training and performance of athletes; specialized courses include:
    • Motor Learning
    • Principles of Athletic Conditioning
    • Exercise Metabolism

All Exercise Science students, regardless of their specified track, are expected to complete three unique lab courses within the curriculum, i.e.: Exercise Physiology; Basic Injury Prevention & Care; and Exercise Testing & Prescription. Upon program completion, graduates will be proficient in conducting a wide range of fitness assessments and health evaluations, managing common sport-related injuries and emergencies, and developing highly individualized exercise prescriptions tailored to each individual's age, health status, and specific needs. As such, students completing the Exercise Science curriculum will be well prepared to sit for a number of external certification examinations in the fitness and wellness fields, including ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP) and NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). The major is also an attractive and practical option for students interested in pre-professional preparation for graduate programs and careers in allied health (e.g., physical therapy, athletic training, occupational therapy, etc.) and medicine. 

 

Internships

Exercise Science students are expected to complete a 90-hour internship to fulfill degree requirements. Supported by an ever-growing and mutually beneficial network of local and regional partners, the internship experience allows students to apply the knowledge and skills gained through their program of study in real-world settings while gaining valuable insight into, as well as practical support for their intended career paths.

 

Career Opportunities

The career opportunities associated with an Exercise Science degree are numerous and varied with graduates commonly working as a specialists in clinical, community, corporate, or sport-specific settings. Generally speaking, however, most careers fall under one of the following broad categories:

• Coaching and Fitness Leadership
• Health Promotion and Policy
• Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Teaching and Research

 

Department Mission and Program Outcomes

Mission:  Rooted in Catholic traditions of excellence in education and principles of social justice, the Department of Exercise Science emphasizes outreach and service to all individuals. Using a holistic approach, engaged faculty guide students through personal transformation, enabling them to maximize their potential as advocates for health and fitness through physical activity.

Program Outcomes:  Upon completion of the Exercise Science curriculum at Bellarmine University, graduates will be able to: 

• Explain the acute responses and chronic adaptations to exercise;
• Identify human anatomy, physiology, and related pathologies;
• Demonstrate competency in appropriate exercise assessment, interpretation, and prescription in the general population and special populations; and 
• Explain factors that influence physical activity behaviors from the individual through societal levels. 

 

Location and Facilities

The Department of Exercise Science – including faculty offices, primary classrooms, and its advanced research and teaching laboratory – is housed in Nolen C. Allen Hall, which also includes a dedicate student lounge, vending cafe, computer workstations, and communal locker rooms. The Dr. Kent Brown Exercise Science Laboratory features a wide array of exercise equipment, metabolic carts, a densitometry chamber, high-tech activity monitors, and an assortment of other fitness-, performance-, and health-related tools.

 

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The Department of Exercise Science at Bellarmine University is a proud member and supporter of: