COURSE SYLLABUS
LAST REVIEW Spring 2021
COURSE TITLE Group Fitness Instructor Exam Course
COURSE NUMBER EXSC-0158
DIVISION Math, Science, Business & Technology
DEPARTMENT Exercise Science
CIP CODE 24.0101
CREDIT HOURS 2
CONTACT HOURS/WEEK Class: 2
PREREQUISITES None
COURSE PLACEMENT None
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course is designed to provide theoretical knowledge and practical skills in
preparation for American Council on Exercise national certification exam in group
fitness instruction. Topics include guidelines for instructing safe, effective, and
purposeful exercise, essentials of the instructor-participant relationship, the principles
of motivation to encourage adherence in the group fitness setting, effective instructor-
to-participant communication techniques, methods for enhancing group leadership, and
the group fitness instructor’s professional role. Upon completion of this course,
students are eligible to sit for the ACE-GFI exam.
TEXTBOOKS
http://kckccbookstore.com/
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
A variety of instructional methods may be used depending on content area. These
include but are not limited to: lecture, multimedia, cooperative/collaborative learning,
labs and demonstrations, projects and presentations, speeches, debates, panels,
conferencing, performances, and learning experiences outside the classroom.
Methodology will be selected to best meet student needs.
COURSE OUTLINE
I. Study of Exercise Physiology
A. Physical Fitness
B. Biogenergetics of Exercise
II. Fundamentals of Anatomy
Page 1 of 5
A. Anatomical Terminology
B. Cardiovascular System
C. Respiratory System
D. Nervous System
E. Skeletal System
F. Muscular System
III. Fundamentals of Applied Kinesiology
A. Biomechanical Principles Applied to Human Movement
B. Kinesiology of Lower Extremity
C. Kinesiology of Spine and Pelvis
D. Kinesiology of Upper Extremity
IV. Introduction to Nutrition
A. Human Metabolism
B. Macronutrients
C. Healthy Diet
V. Health Screening
A. Pre-Exercise Health Appraisal
B. Disease Risk Stratification
C. Medical/Physical Exam
VI. Group Exercise Program Design
A. Group Exercise Professionalism and Attitude
B. Physical Fitness Assessments
C. Pre-Class Preparation
D. Warm-Up
E. Cardiorespiratory Segment
F. Muscular Strength and Endurance Segment
G. Flexibility Segment
VII. Teaching a Group Exercise Class
A. Systematic Class Design
B. Understanding the Exercise Participant
C. Stages of Learning
D. Participant Needs
E. Program Implementation
F. Selecting Appropriate Teaching Techniques
G. Preparing and Teaching Class Activities
H. Providing Feedback
VIII. Adherence and Motivation
A. Major Factors Influencing Physical-Activity Adherence
B. Characteristics of an Ideal Group Fitness Instructor
Page 2 of 5
C. Strategies That Encourage Adherence
IX. Disabilities and Health Limitations
A. Metabolic Disorders
B. Respiratory and Pulmonary Disorders
C. Jones and Bone Disorders
D. Autoimmune Diseases
E. Human Development and Aging
X. Exercise and Pregnancy
A. Benefits and Risks of Exercise During Pregnancy
B. Physiological Adaptations to Pregnancy
C. Musculoskeletal System Imbalances and Dysfuctions
D. Postnatal Exercise
XI. Injury Prevention and Emergency Procedures
A. Factors Associated with Injury
B. General Musculoskeletal Injuries
C. Emergency Policy
XII. Legal and Professional Responsibilities
A. Liability and Negligence
B. Areas of Responsibility
C. Accident Reporting
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND COMPETENCIES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:
A. The student will demonstrate the application of principles of exercise science,
human anatomy, and biomechanics to movement design and exercise
instruction.
1. The student will be able to list the benefits of physical fitness.
2. The student will be able to discuss the aerobic production of ATP.
3. The student will be able to identify the basic organization of the nervous
system, muscular strength and endurance, and cardiovascular-respiratory
system.
B. The student will identify the principles and methods of training for
cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility.
4. The student will be able to discuss the laws of inertia, law of acceleration, and
law of reaction.
5. The student will be able to identify the muscles of lower extremity and upper
extremity.
6. The student will be able to discuss muscular balance and imbalance.
Page 3 of 5
C. The student will apply various techniques and strategies to enhance exercise
instruction in the group fitness setting.
7. The student will be able to list the important factors that should be listed on a
health screening.
8. The student will be able to identify factors that create a healthy emotional
teaching environment.
9. The student will be able to list the 6 components that make up the pre-class
preparation phase.
10. The student will be able to demonstrate the 4 components of an effective
warm-up program.
11. The student will be able to identify the components of the cardiorespiratory
segment of the instruction.
12. The student will be able to discuss the two components of the flexibility
segment of instruction.
D. The student will demonstrate effective leadership skill.
13. The student will be able to submit a group exercise instruction lesson plan
that will include, class goals, class objectives, class activities, class
allocations, pattern of class organization, equipment needs and appropriate
exercises.
14. The student will be able to compare and discuss the two basic choreographic
methods.
15. The student will be able to list personal factors, program factors and
environmental factors that can influence the leadership style of instructor.
16. The student will be able to list the characteristics of an ideal group fitness
instructor.
E. The student will recognize the role of the fitness instructor as it related to legal
issues and professional responsibilities.
17. The student will be able to identify the instructor’s area of responsibility in
regard to legal and professional issues.
18. The student will be able to indicate the sections that should be on an
accident/incident report.
19. The student will be able to list the factors one should consider when
developing a risk-management system.
20. The student will be able to list the basic defenses against negligence claims
ASSESSMENT OF COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND COMPETENCIES
Student progress is evaluated through both formative and summative assessment
methods. Specific details may be found in the instructor’s course information
document.
COLLEGE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Student Handbook
Page 4 of 5
https://www.kckcc.edu/files/docs/student-resources/student-handbook-and-code-of-
conduct.pdf
College Catalog
https://www.kckcc.edu/academics/catalog/index.html
College Policies and Statements
https://www.kckcc.edu/about/policies-statements/index.html
Accessibility and Accommodations
https://www.kckcc.edu/academics/resources/student-accessibility-support-
services/index.html.
Page 5 of 5
