Physical activity plays a critical role in promoting and maintaining good health, and as a result, there is a growing need for professionals who can promote physical activity and health within their communities. To meet this need, this blended intensive program will focus on physical activity and health promotion within various contexts of practice.

Participants will explore the physiological and psychological benefits of physical activity, the importance of physical activity for health promotion, and the strategies for promoting physical activity in various settings, including schools, workplaces, and communities. Through a combination of online coursework and hands-on training, participants will gain the knowledge and skills needed to design and implement effective physical activity programs and interventions that meet the needs of diverse populations.

This program is designed for professionals who are interested in promoting physical activity and health, including healthcare providers, fitness professionals, educators, and community leaders. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in interactive discussions, case studies, and experiential learning activities, allowing them to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings.

By the end of the program, participants will have a deep understanding of the role of physical activity in health promotion and will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to design, implement, and evaluate effective physical activity programs within various contexts of practice.

Objectives

i)Develop knowledge and skills related to exercise and health;
ii) Understand the importance of physical activity and exercise programs in promoting a healthy lifestyle;
iii) Develop capabilities in the area of exercise prescription and organization in special populations, according the international guidelines;
iv) Provide students to understand the association between physical activity and physical fitness, in the different contexts of health and performance;
v) Provide students with skills to use different methods and monitors to measure physical activity and physical fitness.;
vi) The students must be able to outline the reasons for monitoring/evaluating physical activity, to consider physical activity versus physical fitness monitoring; to explore some of the main methods, provide considerations, and make recommendations for monitoring/evaluating physical activity.

Syllabus of the training unit

1. Evolution and interpretation of health promotion models
2. Lifestyles and health risk and promotion behaviours
3. Determinants and correlates of health and physical activity
4. Physical activity and the environment: built and natural environment
5. International recommendations for the practice of physical activity and exercise in health promotion
6. Physical activity as a form of primary intervention and secondary intervention in Public Health
7. Outdoors activities: practices and sustainability

Fields of Specialization

813 Sports

Information

Teaching methodologies will be of expository nature, with resource to theoretical lessons and practical sessions. The 45-hours class will be taught in online (synchronous) and presential classes. Active dialogue will be promoted between all students, either in synchronous situations (previously scheduled forums and chats), and also during presential classes. The classes will be exhibited with practical use of equipment and methods of evaluation of physical activity and physical fitness, available in a practical and/or laboratory context. Students must attend at least 75% of the classes scheduled (mandatory assumption).

The evaluation will consist of distributed assessment, at the end of each module, with final examination of theoretical/practical evaluation in the form of Written Proof. The classification obtained by the students in the distributed assessment with account for 50% of the evaluation, and the final exam corresponds to the remaining 50%, provided that they meet the assumptions for obtaining frequency.
Teaching didactic strategies allow the transmission of knowledge with the active participation of students, either by the prior preparation of the contents, or by their interactive and reflective discussion with teachers, allowing a better understanding and retention of the contents and thus contributing to the development of knowledge of the different evaluation methodologies.

The development of knowledge of the different physical activity and physical fitness measurements methodologies is achieved by the strategy followed in the theoretical/practical classes, whose structure is based on the construction by teachers and students of different evaluation scenarios, with consequent analysis of the information collected in the different evaluation methods, and its consequent applicability in contexts of planning and prescription of physical activity.

Therefore, the teaching methodologies of the curricular unit, and its organization, are consistent with the objectives of the curricular unit.

Teaching team:

• Maria Paula Maia dos Santos - Faculdade de Desporto - Universidade do Porto
• José Carlos Dias Ribeiro - Faculdade de Desporto - - Universidade do Porto
• Gregor Jurak - Faculty of Sport - University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)
• Vedrana Sember - Faculty of Sport - University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)
• Gregor Starc - Faculty of Sport - University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)
• Susana Aznar Laín - Faculty of Sport Sciences - University of Castilla-La
  Mancha (Spain)

Program date

• Start date: May 5, 2025;
• End date: June 27, 2025;
• Duration: 8 weeks, these 8 weeks will be with Blended Learning and, from the 16th to the 27th of June 2025, will be the face-to-face component at FADEUP, where all students from other European countries will be present;
• Opening of applications December 13th, 2024 to March 28th 2025;
• Publication of accepted candidates April 11th 2025.

General information

Study Plan

Involved Organic Units

Certificates

Predominant Scientific Areas