Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Conducting Exercises and Leisure Weight Classes

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
LSPA_551
Branch of Science
Health sciences; Public and environmental health
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Dentistry; Health Management; Medical Services; Medicine; Nursing Science; Pedagogy; Public Health; Rehabilitation; Sports Trainer
LQF
All Levels
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Department of Individual and Team Sports
Contacts

Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587

About Study Course

Objective

Acquire state-of-the-art knowledge and practical skills in applying cardio and strength training as well as free weights and exercises with your own body weight to health sports, with an emphasis on improving physical fitness, preventing injury and promoting better quality of life. The course is built with an emphasis on the latest trends in fitness and tailoring safe, well-structured and effective workouts to different audiences.

Preliminary Knowledge

Physiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.As a result of the study course, students acquire basic knowledge of the application of cardio, strength training machines, free weight and exercises with their own body weight to health sports and are able to describe their importance for increasing aerobic capacity and maximum oxygen consumption, increasing strength and endurance, improving body composition and bone density, as well as strengthening the support and movement system. The course raises awareness of the role of physical activity in improving overall health and preventing disease.

Skills

1.As a result of learning the study course, students will be able to apply cardio machines, strength training machines, free weights, exercises with their own body weight, as well as the application of resistance rubbers to exercises with their own body weight to form exercise progressions and regressions in organizing the physical activities of different groups of society. Students will gain the skills to develop a safe, fit-for-purpose, effective and structured approach to training planning for improving health, developing physical fitness and preventing injury.

Competences

1.Students will develop competences and be able to: • develop targeted physical activity recommendations and class structure for clients of different ages and physical fitness, taking into account individual goals, health status, physical fitness and lifestyle; • apply cardio and strength training, free weights, exercises with your own body weight and resistance rubbers to improve physical fitness, strengthen health and prevent injury; • adapt exercise programs according to the customer’s health and work capacity, contributing to safe and progressive load development; • promote customer motivation and healthy lifestyle habits, and educate on the role of physical exercise in modern society in promoting better quality of life.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Practical application of strength and cardio training in improving physical fitness

10.00% from total grade
Test

Student learns strength exercises independently and exercises with his or her own body weight, biomechanical performance and application thereof in health sports based on the literature sources indicated by the teaching staff and the content of practical classes. In addition, the student takes care to boost and maintain their physical fitness through cardio, strength training, exercises with their own body weight and resistance rubbers, following an individually tailored training structure. During the training process, students must perform reflective independent work - in the form of a diary, notes, a training plan, how they train, how their workouts are structured - exercises, passes, repetitions, work weights, load volume, intensity, etc. Additionally, records are also made in the diary of how they feel, what works well and what doesnt, what they need to work on, and how the student is moving toward the final tests. This diary will help the student understand and follow up to their progress and better prepare for the final tests. A diary, records can be made by the student at his or her discretion. The key to seeing the work that has been put in is that training has a certain structure, improvement and attitude to training.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Creating an exercise program

50.00% from total grade
10 points

Drawing up an exercise program based on the customer description provided, and exercise program simulation of working with a customer. As well as providing recommendations for further week-to-week training and activity planning. World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.

2.

Strength and endurance tests

40.00% from total grade
10 points

In the middle of the study course and at the end of the study course, students must perform various strength and endurance tests: 100-metre sprint temporarily optional on one of the cardio trainers - the Concept2 rowing ergometer, Bikeerg velo ergometer or SkiErg ski ergometer. During this test, the maximum power will also be tested. A who 3-load aerobic performance test will also be carried out on the same ergometer. There will also have to be a barbell bench press with the maximum weight that can be lifted per repetition, squats with a weight bar on the shoulders to the maximum number of repetitions that can be performed on men with their own body weight, and women with half their own body weight. If men cannot do an exercise with their own body weight, then the assessment reduced by one grade, it can be done with 75 per cent of their weight, or by 2 grades with 50 percent of their weight. Women should be able to pushups against the box for the maximum number of repetitions, while men should do pullups for the maximum number of repetitions, if the exercise cannot be performed with their own body weight, then resistance rubber can be used to facilitate the exercise, but thereby reducing the assessment automatically by one grade. Both men and women must have their upper body lifted from the floor to the maximum number of repetitions within 90 seconds as a final test. Progress in the tests rerun at the end of the course is assessed against the results of these tests at the beginning. If a student is unable to take any of the tests due to health issues, then the relevant test can be passed by writing a 3 pp essay on one of the course topics. In final tests, students also submit their exercise diaries, or training plans, which were developed during the course.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Exercise with your own body weight and resistance rubbers
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Different exercises for the whole body with exercise machines
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Cardio machines, tests for cardio machines of all kinds, dosing of medium and high intensity training
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Basic or “base” exercises in power sports with equipment, teaching methodology and application
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Use of kettlebells in strength training, basics of kettlebell swing, snatch and push press
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Exercises for the entire body with free weights - dumbbells and barbells
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Preparation of training programmes and simulations of programmes with clients
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Exam - preparation of training programmes and simulation of a programme for working with clients
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Strength and endurance tests
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Drawing up a strength training exercise to develop maximum strength and practical execution of that training
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Structure, composition and practical execution of strength endurance training
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Preparation and practical execution of speed and power training
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Isometric exercises and their use in training
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Agility, reaction and functional training
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Dynamic warm-up, circuit training, static stretching and abdominal press exercises
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Final test - repeated strength and endurance tests
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Oral)
PART-TIME
Part 1
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Exercise with your own body weight and resistance rubbers
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Different exercises for the whole body with exercise machines
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Cardio machines, tests for cardio machines of all kinds, dosing of medium and high intensity training
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Basic or “base” exercises in power sports with equipment, teaching methodology and application
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Use of kettlebells in strength training, basics of kettlebell swing, snatch and push press
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Exercises for the entire body with free weights - dumbbells and barbells
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Preparation of training programmes and simulations of programmes with clients
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Exam - preparation of training programmes and simulation of a programme for working with clients
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Strength and endurance tests
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Drawing up a strength training exercise to develop maximum strength and practical execution of that training
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Structure, composition and practical execution of strength endurance training
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Preparation and practical execution of speed and power training
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Isometric exercises and their use in training
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Agility, reaction and functional training
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Dynamic warm-up, circuit training, static stretching and abdominal press exercises
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
-
2

Topics

Final test - repeated strength and endurance tests
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Oral)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Frederick Delavier. Strength Training Anatomy. 2022Suitable for English stream

2.

Dzenis A., Grāvītis U., Knipše G. un autoru kolektīvs. Trenera rokasgrāmata. Rīga, Jumava, 2022, 375 lpp.

3.

Lee Boyce, Melody Schoenfeld and Robert Sacre. Strength Training for All Body Types: The Science of Lifting and Levers, 2022, 288 lppSuitable for English stream

4.

Austin Current, Science of Strength Training: Understand the anatomy and physiology to transform your body, 2021, 224 lppSuitable for English stream

5.

Brad Schoenfeld, Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy, 2020, 312 lppSuitable for English stream

6.

Lāriņš V. Sporta medicīna. Teorija un prakse. Jumava, 2022, 312 lpp

Additional Reading

1.

Antonio Squillante, Applied Periodization: Strength Training for Sport, 2023, 453 lppSuitable for English stream

2.

James Atkinson, Resistance band Training: A Resistance Bands Book For Exercise At Home Or On The Go, 2021, 130 lppSuitable for English stream

3.

Ingrid S. Clay, Science of HIIT: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Transform Your Body, 2022, 224 lppSuitable for English stream

4.

Scott H Hogan, Built from Broken: A Science-Based Guide to Healing Painful Joints, Preventing Injuries, and Rebuilding Your Body, 2021, 348 lppSuitable for English stream

5.

Dr. Mike Israetel, Dr. James Hoffmann, Scientific Principles of Hypertrophy Training, 2021, 272 lpp

6.

Mark Vella, New Anatomy for Strength & Fitness Training: An Illustrated Guide to Your Muscles in Action Including Exercises Used in CrossFit (R), P90X (R), and Other Popular Fitness Programs, 2025, 168 lppSuitable for English stream

7.

Paul Horn, Radically Simple Strength: A practical plan to help average guys build awesome bodies, 2022, 166 lpp

8.

Dan Cleather, Strength Training for Endurance Performance: Force 3, 2025, 135 lppSuitable for English stream

9.

Michael Hartle, Kettlebell Strength Training Anatomy, 2023, 2016 lpp

10.

James Atkinson, Barbell & Dumbbell Training: A Weight Training Guide For Strength & Fitness That Won’t Go Out Of Fashion, 2022, 207 lpp

11.

James Atkinson, Bodyweight Training & Calisthenics: The Progressive Bodyweight Workout Book For Beginners & Beyond, 2021, 191 lppSuitable for English stream

12.

Bryan Mann, Powerlifting: The complete guide to technique, training, and competition, 2021, 272 lpp