Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Sports for Health
Course Code
LSPA_597
Branch of Science
Health sciences; Sport Pedagogy
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Medicine
LQF
All Levels
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Indra Vīnberga
Structure Unit Manager
Renārs Līcis
Structural Unit
Department of Individual and Team Sports
Contacts
Riga, J. Asaru Street 5, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587
About Study Course
Objective
To provide students with knowledge of the role of physical activity in health promotion and disease prevention, to develop an understanding of the impact of different types of training on the human body, as well as to develop skills to theoretically develop physical activity recommendation programmes for different target groups. Students apply the acquired knowledge by evaluating and applying physical activity in the implementation of a healthy lifestyle.
Preliminary Knowledge
Preliminary knowledge of physical activity is recommended, but it may also be acquired during the learning process in the study course.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Describes the role of physical activity in health maintenance and disease prevention based on the latest guidelines and studies.
Individual work and tests
Study course topics and development of a physical activity recommendation program
2.Is familiar with the main types of training and their effects on the body.
Individual work and tests
Electronic multiple choice test
3.Describes the basic principles of exercise dosing for different target groups.
Individual work and tests
Study course topics and development of a physical activity recommendation program • Physical activity recommendations program
4.Name and compare the types of training to be used in health sports and their use according to customer goals and health status.
Individual work and tests
Student engagement and performance of tasks in classes • Electronic multiple choice test
Skills
1.Select and adjust exercises based on a person’s age, health status and physical fitness.
Individual work and tests
Student engagement and performance of tasks in classes
2.Develop a practical physical activity programme to promote health.
Individual work and tests
Physical activity recommendations program
3.Explain the importance and suitability of training types for a particular customer.
Individual work and tests
Electronic multiple choice test
4.Analyse and interpret the effectiveness of physical activity based on evidence-based information.
Individual work and tests
Study course topics and development of a physical activity recommendation program
Competences
1.Develop a tailor-made physical activity recommendation programme for people of different ages and physical fitness.
Individual work and tests
Study course topics and development of a physical activity recommendation program • Physical activity recommendations program
2.Assess the suitability of different physical activity programmes for health improvement and prevention.
Individual work and tests
Electronic multiple choice test
3.Able to justify the need for physical activity in today’s society and convince of its benefits at both individual and societal levels.
Individual work and tests
Student engagement and performance of tasks in classes
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Study course topics and development of a physical activity recommendation program |
-
|
-
|
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Independently acquire various course topics from the literature sources specified by the teaching staff in order to prepare for the electronic theory test, develop a physical activity recommendation programme and perform other practical class tasks. |
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|
2.
Class attendance and learning materials |
-
|
-
|
|
’’ In accordance with Paragraph 3.9 of RSU academic Regulations I, attendance of classes is mandatory and recorded. ’ |
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3.
Feedback on the study course |
-
|
-
|
|
Student completes study course assessment questionnaire at end of study course |
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Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Electronic multiple choice test |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
The electronic multi-choice test is intended to test theoretical knowledge on topics acquired in lectures and self-acquired literature. The test is taken electronically during the examination period and consists of questions that cover the importance of physical activity, types of exercise, characteristics of target groups and exercise application. |
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|
2.
Physical activity recommendations program |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Develop a one-month programme of physical activity recommendations for a specific person, including aerobic, strength and flexibility exercises. The programme shall indicate the age, sex, height, weight, BMI, level of physical activity, physical fitness and health status of the person. Also, list the main goals in the order of importance that a person wants to achieve through physical exercise. |
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3.
Student engagement and performance of tasks in classes |
20.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Students actively participate in classes, perform assigned tasks, prepare exercises according to the topic and demonstrate them to group members. The ability to collaborate, creativity, fitness of exercise for purpose, the ability to clearly, convincingly present your work, practical application of exercise, quality of movement and methodical approach are all valued. |
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4.
Examination |
-
|
-
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Electronic multiple choice test - 40%; physical activity recommendation programme - 40%, student setup and task completion - 20% |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
Off site
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Online
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2
|
Topics
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The role of healthy lifestyles and exercise in maintaining and improving health. Sport, physical activity and health. Latest guidelines, scientific information and trends in health sport.
Description
The lecture will examine the role of healthy lifestyles and physical activity in health preservation and disease prevention, the impact of sport and physical activity on the health of different age groups, as well as the latest scientifically based guidelines and trends in health sports. |
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Lecture
|
Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Exercises used in health sports, their general characteristics and applications. Aerobic exercises, their general characteristics. Specificity of different aerobic exercises. Optimal aerobic exercise volume and intensity in health sports.
Description
The lecture will look at exercises used in health sports, their overall characteristics and their application to different target groups. Particular attention will be paid to aerobic exercises – their characterisation, variety and specificity, as well as the optimum amount and intensity of load in health sports classes, based on current guidelines. |
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Lecture
|
Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
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The role and application of high-intensity interval training (HIT) in health sport. Classification of high intensity interval training. Systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses on the effects of different AIIT on aerobic performance and body composition.
Description
The lecture will look at the importance and application of high intensity interval training (AIIT) in health sport, including their allocation and suitability for different target groups. Systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses assessing THE impact OF AIIT on aerobic workability and body composition will also be analysed based on a evidence-based approach. |
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Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Strength exercises, their application and effects on the human body. Fundamentals of strength training methodology. Flexibility exercises, their importance and application in health sports. Basic principles of health sports training.
Description
The lecture will look at the importance of strength exercises and their impact on the human body, as well as the fundamentals of strength training methodology in health sports. The role of flexible exercises, their application to different target groups and their role in injury prevention and improving functional movement quality will also be analysed. In addition, the basic principles of health sports training will be outlined, with emphasis on safety, individualisation and a balanced approach to physical load. |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Gym
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2
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Topics
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Introduction and mobilising exercises – breathing, stretching and activating exercises for general preparation. A low-intensity class,
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Gym
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2
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Topics
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Body weight exercises in different methodologies
|
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Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Gym
|
2
|
Topics
|
Balance lesson
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Gym
|
2
|
Topics
|
Exercise using inventory
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Gym
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cardio and strength training using cardio and HUR trainers.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Gym
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cardio and strength training using cardio and free weights
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Gym
|
2
|
Topics
|
Interval training in health sports.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Gym
|
2
|
Topics
|
Circuit training in health sports.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Gym
|
2
|
Topics
|
Balance exercises with exercise balls
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Gym
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sports games – badminton, basketball. Improvement of technique elements in different exercises and the game conditions.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Gym
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sports games – badminton, basketball. Improvement of technique elements in different exercises and the game conditions.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Gym
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sports games – badminton, basketball. Improvement of technique elements in different exercises and the game conditions.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Marcus, B. H., & Bess, H. 2025. Motivating people to be physically active. Human Kinetics.
2.
Cosgrove R. 2025. Age Strong. A.Womans’s Guide to Feeling Athletic and Fit After 40. Human Kinetics.
3.
Bander L. 2024. Vital Core Training: improve strength and reduce pain with funkcional movement. Human Kinetics.
4.
Grasis N. u.c. 2022. Trenera rokasgrāmata. Rīga, Jumava.
Additional Reading
1.
Comfort, P. (Ed.). 2024. Developing power. Human Kinetics.
2.
Stoppani, J. 2023. Jim stoppani's encyclopedia of muscle and strength. Human Kinetics.
3.
Myers T.W. 2021. Anatomy Trains: myofascial meridians for manual therapists and movement professionals. Elsevier.
4.
Ivuškāns. A. 2016. Vingrinājumi muguras veselībai. Zvaigzne ABC (latviešu plūsma)
5.
Dzenis, A. 2022. Trenera rokasgrāmata. Rīga, Jumava
Other Information Sources
1.
Sporta politikas pamatnostādnes 2021. - 2027. gadam.
2.
Rekomendācijas fizisko aktivitāšu veicināšanai Latvijas iedzīvotājiem (VM, PVO 2019).
3.
SPKC, 2023. Fizisko aktivitāšu ieteikumi Latvijas iedzīvotājiem.