Kinesiology 433: Health and Physical Activity
Instructor: Tish Doyle-Baker

By Meghan Sired

On the first day of class, Tish Doyle-Baker asks her students to write down what they think they will die from and how long they think they will live.

It seems no question is too morbid for Doyle-Baker when it comes to discussing her pupils’ health. But then, that is what a large portion of KNES 433 is all about.

“The cornerstone of the course is knowing that your cholesterol levels and blood pressure numbers empower you to take better care yourself,” said Doyle-Baker. “Students grasp very quickly that their choices and actions are what they need to fear and not necessarily how they will die.”

KNES 433 explores the relationship between health, disease and the benefits associated with physical activity and the various factors that can promote and maintain lifestyle change.

A major component of the course is a personal health report that each student is required to complete. The report is based on their blood lipid profile, nutritional record, health risk analysis and the inclusion of their family and genetic background.

“How cool is that? You can get marks for researching yourself,” said Doyle-Baker. “Their personal health report speaks volumes about knowing their risks; identifying their bad habits, such as driving and talking on their cell phone; taking action and changing behaviour; and even educating their families about exercise and diet.

Unsurprisingly, even outside of the classroom Doyle-Baker’s interests lie in health and fitness research. Currently she is working on a study that monitors components in the blood with the use of novel heart rate equipment that measures exercise intensity in overweight children.

Pre-requisite: Zoology 361 and 363
Text: Exercise testing and prescription, by D.C. Nieman