Students learn concepts in class
by Lindsey Armstrong, Reporter

   Concepts of Physical Activity, a required course for most degree plans, is aimed at bringing even the most out-of-shape coach potato students into the world of healthy physical living.

   Many students dread signing up for this one-credit-hour class, but they do not realize the benefits of the class.

   Everybody leaves the class with some sort of health benefit. Even if no physical benefit is noticeable to the naked eye, improvements may be to the heart and lungs.

   The class begins the semester in a classroom with lecture-style teaching.

   Here students learn basic issues such as smoking, stress and nutrition. One class period is dedicated to measuring body fat, guaranteed to make even the laziest students want to work out.

   The last part of the semester is spent participating in physical activity.

   Students don workout wear and partake in activities designed to improve areas of the body the student thinks needs the most attention.

   Faculty members give mini assessments in the beginning to show the individual's starting physical level. These assessments provide guidelines when working out.

   After a few weeks learning techniques as a class, students begin individual workout programs they design for themselves.

   Clock-in sheets provide a way of taking attendance and keeping a record of activities done that day. Programs must include, but are not limited to, warm-up stretching, 15 to 20 minutes of cardiovascular work, a total of 10 muscular strength or endurance training exercises and cool-down stretching.

   Although the program may sound overwhelming to beginners, once students get into a routine, many describe the experience as fun and easy.

   The end of the semester is spent reevaluating the assessments given at the beginning to measure improvement.

   Most students express shock at how much they have improved. Some may lose body fat; others may gain muscle, but everybody walks away with knowledge of how to get into shape.

   Class participants had different reactions to the course: refreshing to some, eye opening to others but entertaining to all.

   Students said the class does not single anyone out, make anyone feel inferior or embarrass anyone. Everybody works at his pace, and no one is made to feel bad for being less in-shape, students said.

   "This class was a good experience. It taught me to listen to my body and work with it," Scott Topper, NE student, said.