Stanford Center for Health Education
Exercise Physiology
Gain key scientific knowledge of how the body reacts and adapts to the stress of physical activity.
Start date
05 May 2021
Enroll by 27 April 2021
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The number of cancers that show a proven reduction in risk when recommended physical activity guidelines are met.
Journal of Clinical Oncology (Dec, 2019).
The reduced risk of early mortality when exercising at a moderate intensity of 150 to 750 minutes per week.
The BMJ (Jun, 2019).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
Exercise has been shown to relieve symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and help manage various diseases,1 yet only one in four Americans is meeting the recommended levels of physical activity.2
The Exercise Physiology online short course from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), part of Stanford Medicine, explores the fundamentals of physiology and builds on this foundation to foster a holistic, scientific knowledge of exercise and wellness. Over the course of six weeks, learners will gain an understanding of exercise science and the impact that physical activity has on slowing the trajectory of aging and improving general health. Throughout the course, learners will gain the skills needed to critique training programs, and suggest improvements to various physical environments, such as work spaces, schools, and cities, to improve health and wellness.
1 Thrive Global (Jun, 2019).
2 National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Sep, 2019).
Is this course for you?
The nature of this course ensures that it’s applicable to professionals working within both the wellness and healthcare sectors. Learners will discover methods for improving the health and athletic performance of individuals, no matter their age, through an understanding of how different bodies react and adapt to the stresses of exercise. Professionals within the healthcare industry will learn about the impact that physical activity has on disease management. Those within the health and wellness industries will gain the tools needed to help their customers and patients achieve their fitness goals, whether that be weight loss, physical strength, enhanced performance, or healthy aging.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
Exercise has been shown to relieve symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and help manage various diseases,1 yet only one in four Americans is meeting the recommended levels of physical activity.2
The Exercise Physiology online short course from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), part of Stanford Medicine, explores the fundamentals of physiology and builds on this foundation to foster a holistic, scientific knowledge of exercise and wellness. Over the course of six weeks, learners will gain an understanding of exercise science and the impact that physical activity has on slowing the trajectory of aging and improving general health. Throughout the course, learners will gain the skills needed to critique training programs, and suggest improvements to various physical environments, such as work spaces, schools, and cities, to improve health and wellness.
1 Thrive Global (Jun, 2019).
2 National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Sep, 2019).
Is this course for you?
The nature of this course ensures that it’s applicable to professionals working within both the wellness and healthcare sectors. Learners will discover methods for improving the health and athletic performance of individuals, no matter their age, through an understanding of how different bodies react and adapt to the stresses of exercise. Professionals within the healthcare industry will learn about the impact that physical activity has on disease management. Those within the health and wellness industries will gain the tools needed to help their customers and patients achieve their fitness goals, whether that be weight loss, physical strength, enhanced performance, or healthy aging.
What will set you apart
An understanding of how the body reacts and adapts to exercise.
Insights into how exercise can affect health and slow the trajectory of aging.
The knowledge of how physical performance is affected by environmental stressors.
The ability to provide input and feedback on tailored training regimes.
Ideas on how to enhance movement opportunities in the modern world.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Exercise physiology essentials.
Module 2
Physical activity across the lifespan.
Module 3
Health, disease, and physical activity.
Module 4
Environmental stressors and performance.
Module 5
Exercise for the individual.
Module 6
Designing systems for wellness
Get course brochure
Academic Director
Anne Friedlander
Adjunct Professor, Program in Human Biology, Stanford University
About the certificate
Gain an in-depth understanding of exercise physiology and earn an official certificate of completion from Stanford Center for Health Education.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter, a 2U, Inc. brand, is an online learning expert with over 10 years' experience in developing high-quality online short courses from the world’s leading universities. We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required for the workplace of the future. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need.
Students are supported at every stage of the learning journey, enabling them to thrive professionally through increased relevance, competence, and confidence. Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing FAQ, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please see the list of university partner login pages here.
