Foundations of Human Movement

This unit introduces foundational concepts in kinesiology and exercise science, including the history and philosophy of sport, basic motor control mechanisms, energy metabolism during exercise, and cardiovascular system structure and function. It builds core knowledge needed for applied assessment, programming, and advanced physiological topics in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze foundational principles of kinesiology by classifying types of movement, anatomical planes, and agonist/antagonist muscle roles in common functional activities.
• Evaluate major historical, cultural, and philosophical developments in sport and exercise and their influence on contemporary practice, ethics, and access to physical activity.
• Demonstrate understanding of motor control by describing neural structures and pathways involved in voluntary movement, explaining motor unit recruitment and motor learning principles, and applying these concepts to design a brief skill-practice plan.
• Analyze acute exercise responses by interpreting basic metabolic and cardiovascular data (heart rate, oxygen uptake estimates, and predominant energy system contributions) and predicting physiological responses to varying exercise intensities.