Student News
Everyone Benefits from Hands-On Application of Exercise Testing Know-how
Students in Faculty Associate Ann Ward’s Clinical Exercise Testing and Training class recently gained valuable real-world experience in clinical exercise physiology.
They assessed the physical fitness of two vastly different groups – senior citizens and triathletes. The students administered approximately 10 tests designed to assess the functional fitness of women volunteers from a senior-citizen exercise class. Students conducted tests and counseled the women; answering questions, teaching, and explaining the tests. They gathered the test results, compared them with age-specific norms, and provided clients with feedback.
After refining their skills with the senior citizen women’s exercise class, the students designed and administered fitness tests on members of a UW Triathlete Training class.
Based on the test results, as well as the athletes’ goals, the students compiled the data and wrote training prescriptions for the athletes. Students had the opportunity to practice what they’d learned, while the athletes benefited from the knowledge gained through exercise testing.
The vastly different demographics of the groups that the students tested provided them with a wonderful learning experience in which everyone was able to benefit. The subjects received pertinent information regarding their fitness goals, while the students gained invaluable experience for their future careers.
– contributed by undergraduate major Joshua Shapiro