Human Performance
Description of Program
From a societal perspective, the study of physical activity and its practical application has the potential to significantly impact the health and quality of life for every individual, regardless of age, race, gender, and health status. In keeping with this basic premise, it is the mission of the Human Performance program, within the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire , to enable prospective exercise professionals to develop the skills, knowledge, and abilities required to effectively promote physical activity as an essential component of a healthy lifestyle.
These critical competencies are developed through active student engagement in a variety of theoretical and applied educational experiences related to the following areas of study: (a) Anatomy & Biomechanics, (b) Exercise Physiology, (c) Human Development & Aging, (d) Pathophysiology & Risk Factors, (e) Human Behavior & Psychology, (f) Health Appraisal & Fitness Testing, (g) Safety, Injury Prevention & Emergency Care, (h) Exercise Programming, (i) Nutrition & Weight Management, and (j) Program Management. In each of these curricular areas, the students are taught the importance of a developmental perspective concerning physical activity program design, implementation, and evaluation for a number of diverse populations.
It is our ultimate goal that upon graduation, students will possess the required combination of formal academic preparation and practical experience required to meaningfully contribute to the health fitness profession. Furthermore, the involved faculty and academic staff share the University's commitment to excellence in the areas of teaching, scholarship, service, and advising.
The following sections describe our key programmatic values:
Benefit to Society. Each member of the Human Performance program (students, academic staff, faculty, and alumni) remains fully aware and appreciative of our profession's potential contributions to the improved health and quality of life for all individuals (regardless of age, race, gender, and health status) through the promotion of physically active lifestyles.
Developmental Perspective. Each member of the Human Performance program maintains a developmental perspective regarding physical activity program design, implementation, and evaluation. This perspective enables us to readily account for the wide range of individual needs and differences that may be encountered across various segments of the population.
Innovation. Each member of the Human Performance program is committed to enhancing the quality of professional practice though innovative thinking and the practical application of sound theory and research in a variety of human movement contexts.
Lifelong Learning. Each member of the Human Performance program is committed to remaining actively engaged in the profession as both a lifelong learner and scholar-practitioner.
Professional Competence. Each member of the Human Performance program is expected to develop and maintain a level of professional competence that is consistent with the industry standard. This degree of competence is typically expressed through the successful completion of various professional certification programs and/or exams.
Technology Integration. Each member of the Human Performance program appreciates the value of technology as an increasingly important resource for our profession. Accordingly, the use of technology in teaching, research, service, and advising remains an area of primary interest.
Visit the following websites to learn more about Human Performance as an area of study:
