Pedagogical Practices I - Fitness Activities

Code:

146

Acronym:

146

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Sports Sciences

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle.up.pt/course/view.php?id=53
Course/CS Responsible:	Sports Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCD	195	First Degree in Sports Sciences (2025/2026)	1	-	2	-	2
		Plano Oficial do ano letivo 2025	1	-	2	-	2

Module of

Code	Name
143	Práticas Pedagógicas I

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

1.Know and characterise several gym activities (group classes, body and mind, strenght training);

2. Acquire practical skills in gym activities; 

3. To know and understand teaching methodologies and how to plan and conduct different gym sessions 

Learning outcomes and competences

The student:

Identifies the basic techniques of different gym/Fitness activities describing their critical components;

Executes the basic techniques of the gym/fitness activities covered, complying with their critical components;

Understands and applies pedagogical teaching progressions in the different gym/fitness activities.

Competences

Students mobilise their knowledge to intervene in leading gym sessions teaching small groups.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Body and Mind - Pilates Method

1.1 Introduction to Pilates Method
- History, benefits, and objectives;
- The fundamental principles of the method.

1.2 The Pilates class
- Structure of a class;
- Instruction and feedback in Pilates;
- Technical analysis of fundamental exercises: hundred, shoulder bridge, one leg stretch, double leg stretch, one leg circle, scissors, roll up, push up, side bend, side kick, swimming, leg pull prone, spine twist: breathing, criteria for success, and common errors
- Variations of movements, progressions, and transitions


2. Weight Training
2.1. Introduction and Fundamentals
- History and evolution of weight training
- Weight training in the context of health

2.2. Technical Execution of Exercises
- Basic multi-joint exercises (squats, bench presses, lifts, pulls, development)
- Single-joint and accessory exercises
- Use of machines versus free weights
- Correction of technical errors

2.3. Bodybuilding Training Methods and Techniques
- Traditional methods (pyramid, multiple sets, circuit)
- Advanced methods (drop set, super set, rest-pause, cluster set)

3. Choreographed Classes

3.1 Choreographed classes with music:
- Music;
- Characterization/Musical structure;
- Composition of musical structure:
Musical tempos
Musical phrase
Musical rhythm
Beats per minute (BPM);
- Principles of movement leadership;
- Transitions;
- Methods of choreographic construction;
- Basic instruction tools;
- Visual and verbal instruction;
- Anticipation.

3.2 Step
- Step and participant safety;
- Approach to step;
- Simple leadership, alternating leadership, and leadership exchange;
- Movement Groups/Technical Gestures;
- Step class structure.

3.3 JumpFit
- The mini-trampoline and participant safety;
- Contraindications for practicing JUMP;
- Comfort recommendations for practicing Jump;
- Safety rules for using Jump;
- Jump class structure;
- Movement Groups.

Mandatory literature

Malina Robert M.; Growth, maturation, and physical activity. ISBN: 0-88011-882-2
Bouchard Claude 340; Physical activity, fitness and health. ISBN: 0-87322-470-1
Shephard Roy; Aging, physical activity and health. ISBN: 0-87322-889-8
Welk Gregory J. 340; Physical activity assessements for health-related research. ISBN: 0-7360-3748-9
Williams Mark A.; Exercise testing and training in the elderly cardiac patient. ISBN: 0-87322-621-6
Shephard Roy J.; Physical activity and growth. ISBN: 0-8151-7643-0
Armstrong Neil; Young people and physical activity. ISBN: 0-19-262659-0
Spirduso Wannen W. 340; Physical activity and aging. ISBN: 0-87322-220-2
Blair Steven N. 070; Active living every day. ISBN: 0-7360-3701-2
Beroujon Yves 070; Fichero juegos de escalada. ISBN: 84-95114-47-X
Pereira Dimitri Wuo; Escalada. ISBN: 978-85-88023-94-9
Silva Francisco 070; Segurança em actividades de aventura. ISBN: 972-8460-12-0
Brown Dawn; Manual completo de aerobic con step. ISBN: 84-8019-091-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical-practical classes on the rationale and implementation of Gym/fitness activities, as well as practical classes to prepare the intervention in teaching contexts (small groups).

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	81,00
Frequência das aulas	30,00
Total:	111,00

Eligibility for exams

The student's attendance is met if they do not exceed the limit of 25% of the lessons taught. In addition, the student must show effective practice in at least 50 per cent of the lessons taught (effective practice being understood as the fulfilment of the tasks proposed by the teacher in the classroom). Attendance without effective practice in class must be duly justified by a medical report.

Calculation formula of final grade

Weighted average of the different gym/fitness activities taught: Choreographed group classes (50%)+ Strength trainning(25%)+Pilates (25%)


Minimum mark for each activity - 7.5 points
A minimum mark of 10 points is required at the end of the continuous assessment.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The prior definition of alternatives for monitoring and assessing students, duly covered by special statuses (e.g. student workers), must be carried out during the first two weeks of the semester, so the student must contact the teacher of the subject area. Students without pre-established plans are not eligible for assessment.

Classification improvement

As the course has a continuous assessment without a final exam, there is no possibility of improving your classification.