Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Foundations of Sport Condition (Online)

KIN 6000-70I

Course: KIN 6000-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Kinesiology & Outdoor Rec
CRN: 32445

Course Description

This online course will cover the basic principles of physical conditioning and will prepare students for future courses in exercise program design. Physiological mechanisms and adaptations to training will also be addressed. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): KIN 6080 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Can be taken concurrent with KIN 6080 Registration Restriction(s): Sports Conditioning and Performance majors only

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

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Describe the structure and function of the cardiorespiratory, neuromuscular, skeletal, metabolic, and endocrine systems.
  2. Discuss the biomechanical aspects of sports conditioning.
  3. Discuss the adaptations to anaerobic and aerobic training.
  4. Discuss program design and periodization basics for safe and effective training programs.

Course Requirements

Quizzes: Students will independently take open-note (1st attempt) and closed-note (final attempt) quizzes pertinent to information from lecture materials and required readings.

Application Discussions: Small group explorations of module concepts and topics.

Final Comprehensive Exam: Students will independently complete a final comprehensive exam consisting of questions about case studies related to the material covered throughout the semester.


Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI (Instructor AI Policy)
The use of generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Dall-e, etc.) is permitted in this course for the following activities:

  • Brainstorming and refining your ideas;
  • Fine tuning your research questions;
  • Finding information on your topic;
  • Drafting an outline to organize your thoughts; and
  • Checking grammar and

The use of generative AI tools is
not permitted in this course for the following activities:

  • Impersonating you in classroom contexts, such as by using the tool to compose discussion board prompts assigned to you or content that you put into a Zoom chat.
  • Completing group work that your group has assigned to you, unless it is mutually agreed upon that you may utilize the tool.
  • Writing a draft of a writing
  • Writing entire sentences, paragraphs or papers to complete class

You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content). Your use of AI tools must be properly documented and cited in order to stay within university policies on academic honesty.  For example, please use APA guidelines for citing AI-generated text (See these resources for APA guidance). Any assignment that is found to have used generative AI tools in unauthorized ways will receive a zero on the assignment. When in doubt about permitted usage, please ask for clarification.

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:

Discussions                                           35%

Module Quizzes                                    25%

Final Comprehensive Exam                  40%

Total                                                   100%

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to KIN 6000 Foundations of Sports Conditioning. Overview of course expectations, instructor introduction, and essential course resources.

Module 2: Structure and Function of Body Systems – A Review. Review the structure and function of the cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular systems in relation to human movement and training/performance.

Module 3: Biomechanics of Force Production and Training. Exploration of biomechanical aspects of sports conditioning and performance.

Module 4: Bioenergetics of Exercise and Training. Discuss and apply the structure and function of metabolic and bioenergetic systems in relation to human movement and training/performance.

Module 5: Neural Adaptations to Training. Analyze. Analysis of neural adaptations to various types of sport training.

Module 6: Muscular Adaptations to Training. Exploration of muscular adaptations to various types of sport training.

Module 7: Connective Tissues Adaptations to Training. Study of connective tissues adaptations to various types of sport training.

Module 8: Metabolic Adaptations to Training. Analysis of metabolic adaptations to various types of sport training.

Module 10: Cardiorespiratory Responses and Adaptations to Training. Exploration of cardiorespiratory responses and adaptations to various types of sport training.

Module 11: Periodization. Review of goals of periodization, periodization types, sport season/periodization periods, tapers and peaking, periodization mechanisms, and program design basics for sports training.

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 1 day/24 hours late, and passed 1 day/24 hours without consultation with me/Dr. Lawrence will result in a zero.

Attendance Policy

This is an asynchronous online course, thus attendance is not required. However, it is expected that you spend the same amount of time that you would spend in a face-to-face course working on the material for this course. 

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.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

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.