Caveat Academy course · Grades 9 to 12

Exercise Science: how the body trains

Find out what actually happens when you train: which energy system powers a sprint and which a long run, how the heart pumps four times more blood in a hard effort, how to set a heart rate zone from your own resting pulse, why the biceps pulls with eight times the weight in your hand, and how a soft landing cuts the force on your knees. Six modules at your own pace, ending with a training plan you design and measure.

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$19one-time · every device you sign in on
Buy · $19

Included with the Caveat Academy pass and Whole-school licenses. Or get it in the High school electives library, $119 for 66 items.

6 modules · 18 lessonsabout 12 hours$19

Six modules, eighteen lessons

Each module ends with a practice set that tracks mastery, an explain-it-back prompt, a short written response and a module exam. The final opens when every module is proficient; passing it earns a certificate with a verification code.

  1. Module 1: Foundations of fitness

    Classify fitness components and muscle actions, and compare a weekly activity log with the U.S. physical activity guidelines.

    • What exercise science studies
    • Muscles and movement
    • How much activity people need
    about 2.1 h

  2. Module 2: Energy for movement

    Explain which energy system dominates an activity, and compute energy use from METs and fluid loss from body weight.

    • ATP and the three energy systems
    • Oxygen, VO2 max and METs
    • Fuel and fluids
    about 2.1 h

  3. Module 3: The heart and training zones

    Compute cardiac output and heart rate reserve training zones, and explain how endurance training changes the heart and muscles.

    • The heart and circulation in exercise
    • Heart rate and training zones
    • How the body adapts to endurance training
    about 2.1 h

  4. Module 4: Principles of training

    Apply FITT and the training principles, estimate a one-repetition maximum and plan a warm-up and cool-down.

    • FITT and the training principles
    • Strength training
    • Warm-up, cool-down and flexibility
    about 2.1 h

  5. Module 5: Biomechanics

    Describe movements by plane and joint action, compute muscle forces in body levers, and analyze landings with impulse.

    • Planes, axes and joint actions
    • Levers in the body
    • Forces, momentum and stability
    about 2.1 h

  6. Module 6: Safety, injury prevention and program design

    Evaluate injury, heat and concussion situations for the right response, and design a measurable training plan.

    • Common injuries and prevention
    • Heat illness and concussion
    • Designing a program and careers in the field
    about 2.1 h

Try it before you start

This is how every lesson works: step through a worked example at your own pace, then answer a check and get the reason right away. Nothing here is saved; the course keeps your progress.

Module 5 · Levers in the body

Worked example: biceps force for a held weight

  1. A student holds a 5-kilogram dumbbell with the forearm level. Its weight is about 5 × 9.8 = 49 newtons.

A lesson check from each module

The checks need JavaScript turned on. The course itself works the same way.

What you get

Academics · High School$19 · included with the Academy pass and Whole-school licenses

What you finish with
A finished semester of exercise science: you can name the components of fitness and the muscle actions in a movement, check a week against the activity guidelines, explain which energy system powers an effort, estimate energy use from METs and fluid loss from body weight, compute cardiac output and a heart rate training zone, apply FITT and the training principles, estimate a one-repetition maximum, describe movements by plane, compute muscle forces in body levers, explain soft landings with impulse, respond correctly to injuries, heat illness and possible concussions, and design a training plan you can measure. Passing the final earns a Caveat certificate of completion.
Who it is for
Students in grades 9 to 12 who play a sport, train on their own or are curious how the body works, students thinking about athletic training, physical therapy, kinesiology or coaching, and homeschool families who want a science course with daily-life uses. It is general education, not medical or coaching advice.
Format
An online self-paced course: 6 modules and 18 lessons with worked examples you reveal step by step, 144 practice and exam items (multiple choice, numeric, fill-in and ordering), an explain-it-back prompt and a rubric-checked short response in every module, module exams with one retake, a 24-question final and a certificate with a verification code. About 12 hours in all; works on a phone or a computer.
Access
$19 one-time, yours on every device you sign in on; the course opens once you are signed in with it. Included with the Caveat Academy pass and Whole-school licenses. Also in the High school electives library ($119) and the Academics Suite pass ($149), and 1 more bundle. Progress is saved in this browser on this device, and the certificate page lets you download your record.
Where it lives
The High School space in Caveat Academics.
Support
Access, a receipt, a refund or a correction to the course: team@caveatacademic.com.

How it works

  1. Open the course and start Module 1. Each lesson takes about 25 to 35 minutes; two or three a week finishes the course in about a semester.
  2. Answer the checks as you read. Every answer shows the reason, and a miss links you back to the lesson that covers it.
  3. Finish each module with its practice set and exam. Proficient on every module opens the final; 70 percent passes it.
  4. Print or download your certificate and record from the certificate page.

Start the course

Sources and accuracy

The lessons are original writing by Caveat Academic Services. Facts were checked against these free, open references, which are also good places to read further.

  1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition: health.gov
  2. OpenStax, Anatomy and Physiology 2e, the chapters on muscle tissue, the heart and metabolism, a free college textbook: openstax.org
  3. Compendium of Physical Activities, MET values for common activities: pacompendium.com
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HEADS UP concussion resources and heat-related illness guidance: cdc.gov
  5. American College of Sports Medicine, position stands and public guidance on exercise, fluid replacement and exertional heat illness: acsm.org

Exercise Science is a self-paced course from Caveat Academic Services. It follows the sequence of a typical high school exercise science course but is general education, not medical, nutrition or training advice; it does not replace a school course, a team's athletic trainer or a doctor and awards no credit. Formulas such as 220 minus age and the MET estimate are rough averages, and example numbers are labeled as examples. Check with a doctor before starting a new exercise program if you have a health condition or injury, and call 911 for signs of heat stroke or a serious head injury. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.