Principles of Physical Activity, Exercise and Health

Sport & Recreation

Examination of the relationships between physical activity, exercise, fitness, and health, including acute and chronic effects of exercise on the body and disease.

NZ$887

inc GST

Enquire about international pricing


This course starts anytime

(15 Credits)


In-person study

Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting

Not specified, Not specified


Core skills this course teaches


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Historical perspectives on physical activity, exercise and health

Outline historical perspectives on physical activity, exercise and health.

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Physiological changes from exercise

Explain the changes in the body that occur with acute and chronic exercise.

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Physical activity and health outcomes

Outline and discuss the role of physical activity on health outcomes incorporating epidemiological evidence.

What You're Signing Up For

You’ll examine the relationships between physical activity, exercise, fitness and health. You’ll investigate the acute and chronic effects of exercise in your own body and how these changes can affect disease. The course covers epidemiological evidence on physical activity and health outcomes, exercise participation rates in New Zealand, sedentary behaviour impacts, pre-activity screening, intervention strategies, and cultural values associated with health and exercise.

Course Content

  • Historical perspectives on physical activity, exercise, and health
  • Physiological changes with acute and chronic exercise
  • Role of physical activity on health outcomes with epidemiological evidence
  • Physical activity participation rates in Aotearoa-New Zealand
  • Effects of sedentary behaviour on health
  • Benefits of regular physical activity on common diseases
  • Pre-activity screening and risk stratification processes
  • Intervention strategies to increase physical activity participation
  • Evaluation of research on physical activity, exercise, fitness, and health
  • Measurement of basic physical activity and fitness levels
  • Identification of individuals needing medical examination prior to exercise
  • Cultural values related to health and exercise

What you need to know first

Minimum of 75 credit points from any 100, 200 or 300 level courses

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What sort of industry will this job lead to

  • health

  • sport and recreation

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Future employment opportunities might be

  • Careers in health promotion, fitness training, exercise science, community health