Exercise Science: The Degree to Help Individuals and Communities

Exercise science is the study of the human body and its response to movement and exercise, and examines the connection between exercise, nutrition and health. Students earning an undergraduate (B.S.) degree in exercise science often take courses related to nutrition, exercise psychology, anatomy, and physiology. Because exercise science is a broad industry, professionals in this field can work in various work settings. A college degree with so many career possibilities is a real advantage!

An exercise science degree is quite different from an exercise fitness or physical training degree, as the combined knowledge can benefit groups of individuals and elevate the health of communities.

Exercise science graduates support community health initiatives, develop ways to improve performance and seek answers that can reduce or reverse the progression of specific diseases.

Exercise Science. Right for the Times

There’s never been a better time to use exercise science to reach a higher level of healthy living. Only 23% of adults meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

With a B.S. in exercise science, you’ll help lead the way to counter this trend.

Best of all, what you’ll learn in an exercise science program contributes to the efforts of others in the healthcare and fitness fields:

• • Amateur and professional athletes
  • Strength and conditioning staff
  • Physical and occupational therapists
  • Rehabilitative departments in hospitals
  • Corporate wellness initiatives.

How Exercise Science Differs From Kinesiology

Sometimes, kinesiology is seen as the same as exercise science. Exercise science is a more focused sub-field of kinesiology.

So, while kinesiology is a broad field that involves assessing injuries, implementing rehabilitation programs, and performing fitness assessments, an exercise science degree seeks to understand the underlying mechanisms that affect exercise.

Improving Lives and Communities

Here are a few examples of what an exercise science grad might do:

• Discover how the cells and organ systems of the human body respond to physiologic stress.
• Find ways to preserve the physical capacity of aging or injured people.
• Create more efficient nutritional plans for specific populations.
• Research problems and scenarios at the biochemical and biomechanical levels.

A Bachelor’s Degree in 3 Years

Each university’s bachelor’s degree in exercise science will be different. Some exercise science degrees are four-year programs. Others are structured for degree completion in three years.

A typical bachelor’s degree breaks out something like this:

• About 25% of the credit hours are general education and prerequisite courses
• About 25% are in physical sciences and mathematics
• About 25% are in core courses and lab sessions, covering exercise science and nutrition, exercise and cardiovascular/metabolic disease, and the physiology of exercise
• About 25% are in electives within a student’s area of interest and, where offered, an internship.

Careers With an Exercise Science Degree

Many who study exercise science leverage their skills and knowledge in healthcare and fitness occupations. Here are three examples to show how useful such knowledge is in the real world:

• Wellness coordinators lead health initiatives for organizations and businesses. They identify wellness strategies to help employees improve their health and fitness. These professionals plan and schedule health activities, speakers, and classes for employees, often working with insurance companies on ways to lower medical insurance premiums.
• Health Coaches work with people to assess their overall health and identify ways to improve their well-being. They help clients adopt healthy behaviors by teaching them about exercise and nutrition and encouraging them to implement healthy habits to help them reach their goals.
• Strength and conditioning coaches are responsible for establishing and running strength and conditioning programs for sports teams. They support the goals of improving athletic performance, reducing injuries, and teaching long-term fitness and exercise skills.

Career Outlook, Salary Expectations

Others earning an exercise science degree will use it as solid preparation for earning a master’s degree (M.S.) in exercise physiology.

Interestingly, exercise physiologists might work in a clinical setting, providing supervised exercise programs for patients with diseases or conditions. They might also work in non-clinical settings with populations desiring to improve overall physical fitness.

From 2021to 2031, the demand for exercise physiologists is expected to increase by 9%.

Those earning an exercise science degree and deciding to enter the workforce quickly might add specialty certifications, such as those through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

For example, the salary for a cardiac rehabilitation specialist in a hospital ranges from $55,000 to $60,329.

Wise Choice: Study Exercise Science at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC)

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit, chiropractic and health sciences university in Overland Park, Kansas, a part of Kansas City. The CUKC College of Health Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Exercise Science degree that students can complete in about three years.

Our program is aligned with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The depth of our exercise science program provides excellent preparation for students interested in dual credentials in many areas, including:

• Chiropractic
• Physical therapy
• Physician Assistant
• Occupational therapy
• Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Our students receive hands-on instruction and gain practical experience through campus lab experiences, classes, research activities, and internships.

Connect with a CUKC admissions adviser by clicking here. You’ll also love this free eBook: Your Guide to an Exercise Science Degree.