High School Fitness and Nutrition

Length: Trimester                                     Grade: 10-12                                 Requirement: Yes

Course Syllabus

View course syllabus

Course Description

High school fitness and nutrition class equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead a healthy, active lifestyle and make informed choices about their health and wellness. The class covers the basics of nutrition, including macronutrients and micronutrients, and teaches students how to read food labels and plan balanced meals. Students should also learn about physical activity, including cardiovascular training, strength training, and flexibility. Students learn how to incorporate the activities into their daily routine. Additionally, the class addresses body image and self-esteem issues, as well as stress management and healthy coping strategies. Lastly, students learn about the dangers of eating disorders and how to maintain lifelong healthy habits. 

Enduring Understandings

• Understanding the scientific principles behind physical activity can help individuals make informed decisions about how to safely and effectively improve their health and fitness.

• The body responds to physical activity in specific ways, including adaptations to muscles, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and energy systems.

• Physical activity is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and individual differences in age, sex, fitness level, and health status must be taken into account when designing exercise programs to optimize health and fitness outcomes.

• Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining overall health and wellness, and making informed food choices can help prevent chronic diseases and support optimal physical and cognitive performance.

• Nutrient requirements vary depending on factors such as age, sex, activity level, and health status, and a balanced diet should provide adequate amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients to meet individual needs.

• The food environment and social factors, such as culture and socioeconomic status, play a significant role in shaping food choices and overall nutrition, and it is important to consider these factors when balancing a healthy diet and happiness.

• Exercise is a critical component of physical and mental health, and the principles of exercise science can be applied to design safe and effective exercise programs for different populations and goals.

• Fitness testing and exercise prescription guidelines can be used to evaluate and improve individual fitness levels, and to prevent or manage chronic diseases.

• Injury prevention is an important aspect of exercise programming.

Essential Questions

• How does physical activity affect the body and what are the mechanisms behind these effects?

• How can principles of training, such as specificity, overload, and progression, be applied to different types of physical activity to optimize health and fitness outcomes?

• What are some common injuries associated with physical activity and how can they be prevented or treated?

• What are the key macronutrients and micronutrients necessary for maintaining optimal health, and how can we ensure that our diet includes adequate amounts of each?

• How does the body process and utilize nutrients?

• What are the potential health risks associated with poor nutrition and inadequate nutrient intake, and what can we do to prevent and manage these conditions through diet and lifestyle changes?

• How can we design safe and effective exercise programs that meet the needs and goals of different populations?

• What are the most effective fitness testing protocols and exercise prescription guidelines for improving overall fitness levels and preventing or managing chronic diseases?

• How can we mitigate exercise-related injuries, and what are the best practices for managing injuries when they do occur?