Class Health and Physical Fitness

The CU is essential for training future Physical Education teachers, focusing on empowering students to act as health promotion agents beyond motor skills, emphasising education for well-being and health. It connects theory with practical application, bridging biological foundations and didactics by explaining the' what" and the' why" of health promotion. By studying growth, development, and exercise prescription, students learn to adapt practices for different ages and address public health issues like childhood obesity. The course combines theory with real-world challenges, enabling students to intervene across domains. Ultimately, it prepares future teachers as both educators and health experts, using physical exercise to improve children and adolescents' health and quality of life.

Not applicable

Growth, development and maturation. Sexual dimorphism. Risks of PA. Epidemiology of PS. The Physical Education Teacher as an agent of health and physical condition promotion. Assessment of fitness and physical activity (FitEscola). General principles of prescription for the exercise. Recommendations for the prescription of exercise and physical activity in children and adolescents. Exercise and weight management of children and adolescents. Exercise and type 1 diabetes. Exercise and cardiovascular and respiratory disease in children and adolescents.

In the UC, expository and experiential learning methods will be utilised. These will be implemented through moments of reflection and analysis of data and projects related to issues close to future professional intervention. Under the continuous assessment regime, there will be a written test (50% each, conducted at the end of the semester), a literature review assignment (40%), and a multiple-choice mini-test conducted at the end of each class (10%). Grades below 9.5 are deemed insufficient, and a supplementary recovery test must be taken if the average of the partial grades is equal to or exceeds 9.5 points. This recovery test will be oral and held at the end of the semester. The exam will comprise a written, practical, and oral component. Attendance should amount to at least 70% of the total number of classes.

ACSM (2025). Guidelines for exercise testing and prescription (12th Edition). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.