Training Prescription Course

Lesson 1 • Key Physiological Concepts

Covers fundamental physiology—energy systems, muscle fiber types, and cardiovascular function. Provides the biological rationale for every prescription variable introduced later.

Lesson 2 • Ethical and Safety Foundations

Addresses scope of practice, pre-participation screening, and duty of care. Ensures prescribers operate within professional and safety boundaries from the outset.

Lesson 3 • Defining Training Prescription

Introduces the concept of training prescription as a systematic process of dosing exercise. Sets the framework for all subsequent prescription decisions in the course.

Lesson 4 • Principles of Training Adaptation

Explains overload, specificity, reversibility, and individuality as governing principles. These principles justify how and why prescription variables are manipulated.

Lesson 1 • Health History and Risk Stratification

Teaches systematic collection of medical, lifestyle, and exercise history. Risk stratification determines appropriate exercise intensity and referral thresholds.

Lesson 2 • Interpreting Assessment Data

Guides analysis of test results against normative data and individual context. Accurate interpretation prevents misclassification and inappropriate prescription intensity.

Lesson 3 • SMART Goal Setting Process

Applies the SMART framework to convert assessment findings into actionable training goals. Goals anchor all subsequent program design and evaluation decisions.

Lesson 4 • Body Composition Assessment

Introduces methods for estimating body fat, lean mass, and anthropometric measures. Provides data points relevant to health risk and performance-based goals.

Lesson 1 • Cardiorespiratory Program Progression

Applies overload principles to advance frequency, duration, and intensity over time. Structured progression prevents plateaus and reduces overuse injury risk.

Lesson 2 • Training Zone Systems

Explains two-zone, three-zone, and five-zone intensity models and their physiological thresholds. Zone selection aligns prescription with specific aerobic adaptation targets.

Lesson 3 • Continuous and Interval Methods

Contrasts steady-state continuous training with high-intensity interval and sprint interval protocols. Each method produces distinct adaptations suited to different goals and fitness levels.

Lesson 4 • Special Population Aerobic Considerations

Adapts cardiorespiratory prescription for older adults, deconditioned individuals, and those with chronic conditions. Modifications ensure safety without sacrificing training effectiveness.

Lesson 1 • Resistance Training Progression Models

Introduces linear, undulating, and block periodization models for long-term resistance progression. Model selection depends on client experience level and goal timeline.

Lesson 2 • Training Goals and Rep Schemes

Maps specific repetition and load ranges to strength, hypertrophy, muscular endurance, and power goals. Prescribers match rep schemes to client objectives with scientific justification.

Lesson 3 • Exercise Selection and Order

Covers principles for choosing exercises and sequencing them within a session. Proper order maximizes performance quality and reduces fatigue-related injury risk.

Lesson 4 • Resistance Training Variables

Defines load, repetitions, sets, tempo, and rest intervals as the primary resistance prescription variables. Understanding each variable's effect enables precise program design.

Lesson 1 • Flexibility Training Methods

Compares static, dynamic, ballistic, and PNF stretching techniques and their evidence base. Method selection depends on timing within a session and client-specific needs.

Lesson 2 • Mobility Assessment and Prescription

Distinguishes mobility from flexibility and introduces joint-specific mobility screening tools. Targeted mobility work addresses movement restrictions identified during assessment.

Lesson 3 • Neuromotor and Functional Movement

Covers agility, coordination, and gait training as neuromotor prescription components. Functional movement patterns transfer directly to occupational and recreational performance.

Lesson 1 • Mesocycle and Macrocycle Planning

Introduces mesocycle (4–8 weeks) and macrocycle (annual) planning frameworks. Long-term planning ensures systematic progression toward peak performance goals.

Lesson 2 • Weekly Training Organization

Applies split routines, full-body, and upper-lower training structures to weekly scheduling. Frequency and recovery balance are optimized for the client's goal and lifestyle.

Lesson 3 • Session Structure and Design

Defines the warm-up, main block, and cool-down structure and the rationale for each phase. A well-structured session maximizes adaptation and minimizes injury risk.

Lesson 4 • Concurrent Training Prescription

Addresses the interference effect and strategies for combining aerobic and resistance training. Proper sequencing and separation minimize performance compromise across modalities.

Lesson 1 • Peri-Workout Nutrition Timing

Details pre-, intra-, and post-exercise nutrition strategies to maximize performance and recovery. Timing recommendations are grounded in current evidence on nutrient partitioning.

Lesson 2 • Energy Balance and Body Composition

Covers caloric balance, energy availability, and their effects on body composition and performance. Prescribers use this knowledge to support fat loss or muscle gain goals.

Lesson 3 • Hydration and Electrolyte Management

Prescribes fluid intake strategies before, during, and after exercise to prevent dehydration. Electrolyte balance is addressed for prolonged and high-sweat-rate training contexts.

Lesson 4 • Macronutrient Roles in Training

Explains how carbohydrates, proteins, and fats fuel exercise and support recovery. Macronutrient understanding enables prescribers to align dietary guidance with training goals.

Lesson 1 • Active Recovery Modalities

Covers low-intensity movement, foam rolling, cold-water immersion, and compression as recovery tools. Evidence-based selection of modalities accelerates return to training readiness.

Lesson 2 • Overreaching and Overtraining Syndrome

Distinguishes functional overreaching, non-functional overreaching, and overtraining syndrome by signs and timeline. Early identification prevents long-term performance and health consequences.

Lesson 3 • Deload and Planned Rest Strategies

Prescribes volume and intensity reductions within planned deload weeks to consolidate adaptation. Strategic rest prevents accumulated fatigue from masking fitness gains.

Lesson 4 • Physiology of Recovery

Explains muscle repair, glycogen resynthesis, and hormonal restoration during recovery periods. Understanding recovery physiology justifies rest as a deliberate prescription variable.