Develop training plans with this free online health and fitness course that explains how the body reacts to exercise.

Exercise physiology is a multidisciplinary field that integrates ideas from different academic disciplines. This health and fitness course explores exercise physiology and explains its role in designing training programmes for enhancing physical fitness and athletic performance. We discuss the advantages of regular activity and various practical applications of exercise physiology, including prevention and management of chronic conditions and the development of recovery and nutrition strategies.

The course then explores the anatomy, physiology and function of skeletal muscle, including the three types of muscle tissue: smooth, cardiac and lean. We describe the body's energy systems and the role of macronutrients in metabolism and energy generation. We examine the structures and functions of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and their corresponding organs, the heart and lungs.

We study isometric, concentric and other muscle contractions, their attributes and the factors influencing them. The course discusses endurance, strength and power training and highlights their subtypes and the benefits they offer athletes. Finally, we discuss the training principles and steps involved in developing personalised programmes to help people boost their physical performance. This health and fitness course delves into the physiology of exercise to show you how to get the most out of your workouts.