Study, Learn and be Healthier
Health and Fitness are simply some of many the different words used to describe people being in good condition. There are many different services and products on offer which promise to improve or maintain a state of wellbeing, and any (or all) of these goods and services might be considered to be part of the health and fitness industry. These can include things as variable as medical services through to fitness, sport, recreation and food. There are three aspects to health:
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Emotional or Mental health (Healthy thoughts & attitudes)
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Structural Health (The health of the body is structurally sound ‑the bones, muscles, organs etc. are physically in good condition ‑not damaged ‑performing the functions they should perform)
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Chemical Health (The chemicals in our body are correct ‑there are no toxic chemicals ‑the tissues are made up of the appropriate balance of nutrients etc.).
This course builds on that simple concept.
Content and Structure
There are 8 lessons in this course:
Industry Overview
- Scope of the health and fitness industries
- Defining fitness
- Resources and networking
- Aerobic fitness
- Modern Lifestyle Problems
- Health risks and physical activity
- Hazardous substances
- Cancer
- Food allergies
- Health care strategy for an aging population
- Wellbeing of special demographic groups: pregnant women, children, obese people, people with disabilities etc
- Human Nutrition
- Overview
- Nutrition basics
- Carbohydrates, proteins, fats
- Dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals
- Balanced diet
- The food pyramid
- Principles of weight loss
- Dietary protein intake and physical activity
- Food combining
- Healthy Eating
- Nutrition and diet problems
- Anorexia
- Obesity
- Nutritive value with cooking and processing
- Meat
- Fish
- Milk
- Plant foods
- Processing food
- Canning and pasteurisation
- Freezing, drying, etc
- Stress Management
- Body changes caused by stress
- Muscle response
- Gastrointestinal response
- Cardiovascular response
- Stress management program
- Easy living
- Stress cures
Drugs and alcohol- Relaxation
- Preventative Health
- Responsibility for your own health
- Self esteem
- Managing your own career
- Decision making
- Emotional security
- Problem solving
- Personal style inventory
- Motivations and barriers for exercise
- Alternative Medicine
- Overview
- Herbal medicines
- Aromatherapy
- Complimentary therapies
- Accupressure
- Pain points; trigger points
- Acapuncture
- Homeopathy
- Osteopathy
- Chiropractic
- Physiotherapy
- Counselling and psychological therapies
- Relaxation therapies
- Other therapies
- Basic First Aid
- Overview
- Soft tissue injuriesWounds
- Shock and fainting
- Fractures
- Strains, sprains and dislocations
- Heat and cold
- Recuscitation
- Drowning
- Eye injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Health promotion at work
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Course Duration: 100 hours
What You Will Do
- Create a resource file of health and fitness related businesses, contacts, services etc.
- Interview people to learn how they rate their health and fitness and what they do to improve/maintain them.
- Identify ways to overcome a health/fitness problem in your own life.
- Identify different food allergies and ways to deal with them.
- Identify eating and nutritional disorders and describe possible treatments.
- Explain how age, level of activity, gender and other factors affect their dietary needs.
- Explain the principle of food combining.
- List the effects of alcohol abuse.
- Explain how high self esteem is achieved, and consider positive and negative effects.
- Identify services in your area that offer natural therapies and what they entail.
- Find out what first aid courses are available in your region, and what is entailed.
- List items that should be kept in a basic first aid kit.
GET ACTIVE
People who are usually inactive can improve their health and well-being by becoming even moderately active on a regular basis. Also, physical activity need not be strenuous to achieve health benefits. It is important to also remember that greater health benefits can be achieved by increasing the amount (duration, frequency, or intensity) of physical activity.
Regular physical activity that is performed on most days of the week reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death. Regular physical activity improves health in the following ways:
- Reduces the risk of dying prematurely.
- Reduces the risk of dying from heart disease.
- Reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
- Reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure.
- Helps reduce blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure.
- Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer.
- Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety.
- Helps control weight.
- Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
- Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling.
- Promotes psychological well-being.
Given the numerous health benefits of physical activity, the hazards of being inactive are clear. Physical inactivity is a serious, nationwide problem. Its scope poses a public health challenge for reducing the national burden of unnecessary illness and premature death.
Individuals contemplating an increase in physical activity should start out slowly and gradually build up to the desired amount to give the body time to adjust, to avoid soreness and injury afterwards. People with chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, or obesity, or who are at high risk for these problems should first consult a physician before beginning a new programme of physical activity. Also, men over age 40 and women over age 50 who plan to begin a new vigorous physical activity programme should consult a physician first to be sure they do not have heart disease or other health problems.
Hazardous substances
The warnings about risks from hazardous substances are everywhere. Every day, the news media report information on hazardous substances. Many products now tout warning labels or claims about being "all natural" and "chemical free." How do we know when a risk is serious? How do researchers estimate risk, and how does the government use this information to develop regulations that limit our exposure to hazardous substances?
By becoming better informed you can reduce the risks that you determine to be unacceptable. This may mean changing your lifestyle or providing input to government, industry, and consumer / environmental interest groups. If you would like more information the sources listed below are a good place to start. You may also want to contact your local health department or regional or state environmental agencies for other information sources.
Flexible Study with ACS Distance Education
ACS Distance Education is unique. We allow you to choose how you study, where you study, what you study, how much you study, and when you study.
- Work fast or slow –you choose the intensity of study
- Start, pause or restart according to changing demands of work, family or lifestyle.
- Study this course by itself; or combine with others for a qualification
- Mix and match modules so you only study what you want or need to learn -We allow you to construct your own “tailor made” certificates or diplomas
- Options in assignments allow you to focus on things with greater interest to you.
- Study electronically (online or using a CD); or using printed notes.
- Use (or don’t use) supplementary services for extra learning want –unlimited access to tutors, an online student room, social media, bookstore, etc
- Orientation video and student Manual at the start of your course will provide a clear guide to how you can study and get all sorts of support no matter where you live
