Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Methods of Sport Cond (Face-to-Face)

KIN 4010-01

Course: KIN 4010-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PEHP
CRN: 31370

Course Description

This course will introduce students to various physical conditioning methods utilized in sport training including plyometrics, Olympic weight lifting, speed/power training, and advanced exercise prescription. It will follow a lecture/lab format. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): KIN 3070 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

We will be using the following textbook regularly for assignments and you will gain foundational knowledge as you keep up with the chapter readings before class. It can be ordered through the SUU Bookstore by calling 435-586-7995 or through email at bookstore@suu.edu or find it to rent or buy on Amazon.

Haff, G.G. & Triplett, N.T. (2016). Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning (4th ed.). ISBN: 978-1492501626

Learning Outcomes

When you successfully complete this course, you should be able to:

  1. Apply scientific knowledge to train athletes and clients for the primary goals of improving athletic performance and fitness.
  2. Learn how to conduct sport-specific testing sessions.
  3. Gain knowledge about proper exercise techniques.
  4. Gain knowledge about design and implementation of safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs.

Course Requirements

Exams: Students will independently take exams in a proctored environment without any reference material and will be done 4 times throughout the semester, with the fourth exam being a comprehensive final exam. The Final Exam will be cumulative and will consist of ~50% new material not covered on previous 3 exams, and ~50% cumulative material covered on previous 3 exams.

Quizzes: Students will independently take open-note quizzes pertinent to information from lecture materials and required readings prior to taking exams. The lowest quiz will be dropped.

Flipped Lectures and Flipped Lecture Quizzes. Students will independently watch and engage with pre-recorded lectures and complete an online open-note quiz prior to class discussions and applications of topics covered in the course.

Assignments/Activities: Students will have the opportunity to perform in-class and outside-class assignments/activities that help them apply concepts learned throughout class. More details of major assignments are provided in the course outline.

Final Program Design Project: In small groups, students will demonstrate their ability to apply concepts learning during the course to develop a written training program for an athlete/client. The training program will also be presented to the class at the end of the semester. More details will be provided during class.

GRADING SYSTEM

You will be provided with a final letter grade based on the following grading criteria below. Please review your graded assignments regularly and if I make a mistake on your grade please let me know as soon as possible. 

Incomplete Grades:  A grade of Incomplete (I) may be given at the discretion of the instructor to a student who has been unable to complete the course requirements due to a serious interruption not caused by the student’s own negligence. Letter grades of “A” through “F” (course final grade) will be awarded based on the following scale:

Exams                                                    40%

Attendance/In-Class Participation          10%

Quizzes                                                10%

Labs/Assignments                                15%

Training Program/Presentation              25%

Total                                                   100%



Course Outline

Week 1 (Module 1): Course Introduction and Review. Overview of course expectations, instructor introduction, and essential course resources and review exercise physiology topics of Structure and Function of Body Systems, Biomechanics of Resistance Training, Bioenergetics of Exercise and Training, Endocrine Responses to Resistance Exercise, Adaptations to Anaerobic Training Programs, and Adaptations to Aerobic Endurance Training.

Week 2 (Module 2): Training Theory and Program Design Basics. Discuss and apply training theory, scope of training, and training principles sport training. Further, discuss and apply 7 program design variables, training status, sport seasons, how program design variables are manipulated, and trainable neuromuscular characteristics by load, sets, repetitions, and rest periods.

Week 3 (Module 3): Periodization and Overtraining/Detraining/Retraining. Discuss and apply the goals of periodization, periodization types, sport season/periodization periods, tapers and peaking, and periodization mechanisms. Further, discuss and apply the differences in fatigue, overreaching, and overtraining, as well as detraining and retraining mechanisms and timelines.

Week 4 (Module 4): Exam #1 and Freight Weight and Alternative/Nontraditional Modes Exercise Technique. Students independently take exam #1 in a proctored environment without any materials on material covered for this exam. Discuss and apply exercise technique fundamentals; appropriate use of lifting equipment; proper spotting use; and select free weight exercise technique. Further, discuss and apply the benefits and limitations of body weight training, core training, appropriate use of variable resistance modalities and traditional ground-based free weight exercises, and examples and appropriateness of alternative methods and nontraditional implement exercises in training.

Week 5 (Module 5): Coaching Cue Activity and Principles of Test Selection, Administration, and Interpretation. Students practice coaching cues for selected resistance training exercises to learn proper technique and reflect on their successes and failures.  Discuss and apply athlete testing use, validity and reliability of tests, test selection and test administration factors, common field tests for different skills and neuromuscular characteristics, and how to interpret test results to build an athlete profile and training goals.

Week 6 (Module 6): Administration, Scoring, and Interpretation of Selected Tests Activity. Students practice administering, scoring, and interpreting 16 valid and reliable field tests for 16 neuromuscular characteristics and skills important in various sport training.

Week 7 (Module 7): Warm-up and Flexibility Training & Weightlifting Assessment + Corrections Activity. Discuss and apply the benefits and detriments of various types of warm-ups pre-training or pre-competition, the structure of the warm-up, assessing flexibility for sport. Students practice administrating a flexibility assessment as well as practicing specific flexibility correction techniques.

Week 8 (Module 8): Exam #2, and Resistance Training Program Design Revisited. Students independently take exam #2 in a proctored environment without any materials on material covered for this exam. Further, discuss and apply different advanced training system variations and their appropriateness; optimal strength and hypertrophy development evidence, inter-repetition rest periods; proper explosive power development considerations.

Week 9: Program Design and Periodization Primer Activity. Students independently apply course content thus far utilizing program design and periodization concepts to write safe and effective training programs that help students start their final program design project.

Week 10: Power and Plyometrics Program Design. Discuss and apply plyometrics program design variables, mechanisms, and incorporation with other training modalities; and proper plyometrics training considerations.

Week 11: Speed & Agility Program Design and Exam #3. Discuss and apply speed and agility development program design, mechanisms, and incorporation with other training modalities; and proper speed and agility training considerations. Students independently take exam #3 in a proctored environment without any materials on material covered for this exam.

Week 12: Aerobic Endurance Training Program Design, Facility Design, and Special Populations Resistance Training. Discuss and apply aerobic endurance development program design, mechanisms, and incorporation with other training modalities; and proper aerobic endurance training considerations. Discuss and apply appropriate training facility design recommendations. Discuss and apply appropriate resistance training program design for youth athletes, senior athletes, and pregnant women.

Week 13-14: Final Program Design Project. In small groups, students develop a final putting-it-all-together written program design as well as an oral presentation of a full macrocycle training program for a chosen athlete/sport. 

Week 15: Final Comprehensive Exam: Students independently take final comprehensive exam in a proctored environment without any materials on material covered throughout this course.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

If the need for late/make-up work for exams or activities arises, this must be discussed and resolved at least 24 hours before the assignment/exam due date. It will then be my discretion to accept the work or deduct points if needed. The general policy is that late work will be accepted at 10% reduction per day for up to 2 days late, and passed two dates without consultation with the instructor will result in a zero.

Attendance Policy

Attendance in class is required unless ample documentation is provided for any missed class. This class is designed for in-person engaged student interaction, therefore attending all class sessions is highly recommended. Any student under 75% attendance for the whole class will automatically lose a full letter grade, in addition to receiving a 0% for the attendance grade for the course. Also, you will be marked late if over 5 minutes late, and three late dates will be one absence. And, if you are over 15 minutes late you will be marked absent. Punctuality/being on time is important.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.