FIRST year students on the Foundation Degree in Exercise, Health and Fitness at University Centre St Helens have been getting to grips with Metabolic Fitness Testing in a special assignment based practical session.
Metabolic Fitness Testing is a type of fitness test which determines an individual’s VO2 max which refers to the body’s maximum ability to consume oxygen. The body’s ability to use oxygen is a very good indication of physical fitness and individuals who have low VO2 max values because of poor fitness have been shown to be more at risk of certain diseases than those with higher fitness levels.
The special session run by Roy Evans from Nexus Fitness and Conditioning allowed students to undertake part of their module assignment whilst practically testing the fitness of two students as the data derived from testing allowed the group to then draw up a personalised exercise training plan specific to current fitness levels.
Exercise, Health and Fitness lecturer Chris O’Keeffe said: “It was a pleasure to work alongside NEXUS. The exercise gave our students a brilliant insight into how theoretical concepts such as VO2 max and metabolic fitness testing can have real life practical application in terms of effective and individualised exercise prescription.”
Roy Evans from Nexus Fitness and Conditioning said: “We were delighted to come into University Centre St Helens. I hope the students got a lot out of the session for their assignment as it’s not every day they would be able to use Metabolic Fitness Testing equipment.”
The Foundation Degree in Exercise, Health and Fitness course offered at University Centre St Helens, provides a strong platform for entry into careers as diverse as Public Health, Personal Training, Coaching, Teaching and more.
On completion of the Foundation Degree there is also the opportunity to progress onto the top-up year at the University of Chester to study a BSc in Physical Activity and Health.
University Centre St Helens is holding an open day on Saturday 27th February, 10am – 2pm. For more information about the open day or the Foundation Degree in Exercise, Health and Fitness please visit www.uc.sthelens.ac.uk.