The Importance of Exercise Science in Human Health

Exercise science is a scientific discipline quite apart from simple physical activity. The exercise scientist gains understanding from reaching out to other disciplines, such as psychology, chemistry, physiology, and even engineering. Basically, exercise science alludes to how science is applied to the act of exercise; exercise refers to human movement, but exercise science zeros in on the various components that relate to the links between fitness, exercise, diet and health.

The Sub-Disciplines of Exercise Science

Exercise physiology: This is the study of acute responses and the adaptations that the body makes to various exercise situations. Sports nutrition: this is the practice of taking the nutrients that are most helpful to athletic performance (the correct amount of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins and liquids). Epidemiology: this is the way in which the distribution and determinants of certain healthy states or events are studied by doctors and scientists, and how the results are applied to healthy living. Clinical exercise physiology: this basically relates to how exercise is helpful to either manage or reduce the risk of chronic diseases; the clinical exercise physiologist works with patients that have chronic illnesses and physical problems. Sport biomechanics: basically this is the physics of sports; it involves quantitative studies of athletes' behaviors during workouts and competition. Motor learning and control: the study of how the brain coordinates the muscles while complex activities are taking place. Sports psychology: this is the scientific study of psychological issues in humans' behavior that are directly related to movement (Kamen, 2001).

Observation Activity

Observation site: Workout / exercise room at a wellness clinic

Day, time, and length of observation: Wednesday, June 22, 2016. From 9:30 A.M. to 11:45 A.M. The observation was for an hour and a half

What I saw: Nine patients from middle age (45-55) to older (55-73) were brought into a classroom first, where well-being issues were being discussed. They were told that well-being involves not just nutritional issues, but mental health issues, physical health issues, psychological issues -- and how holistic approaches and practices as an approach to a healthy life can add years to their lives. The leader pointed to well-being concepts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; I suspect she figured that information from a U.S. Government source would allay any suspicion that the well-being ideas were not home-grown or from an unauthentic source.

The discussion also touched on family, healthy relationships, living conditions, careful avoidance of addiction to prescription drugs, alcohol, and there was a question and answer period during which longevity and productivity were discussed.

The group went into the large room with exercise equipment, and several staff members assisted individuals to monitor their health. An older woman that was clearly obese was put on a bicycle training machine and she slowly started to push the pedals. She was given hands-on guidance and monitors were attached to her body to observe her heart rate. When she finished her exercise she was interviewed about how she did or did not like the experience. The trainer was trying to remove her fear of exercise and to get her into a better nutritional frame of mind.