EXSC 4200 - Epidemiology and Physical Activity

(3) Credit Hours
Prerequisite: BIOL 2452K, EXSC 3000 and EXSC 3450
This course examines the methods of epidemiology and the relationship between physical activity (PA) and disease, especially chronic disease. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1) Describe contemporary trends in the prevalence rates of leading risk factors of morbidity and mortality in the U.S., 2) Identify behavioral correlates of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developed nations (e.g., USA) as opposed to underdeveloped nations (e.g., Afghanistan), and explain how behaviors such as physical activity interact with other known health risk factors to promote health and prevent disease, 3) Describe the methods of epidemiology and the criteria for establishing causality for health risk factors, 4) Describe and discuss major epidemiological evidence that shows an association between habitual behaviors, especially physical activity, with morbidity and mortality, 5) Identify and discuss the disease-specific benefits and risks of physical activity with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer and immunity, anxiety and depression, 6) Designate and discuss biologically plausible mechanisms whereby physiological adaptations to physical activity might reduce risks for disease or improve quality of life.