HESS Clinical Exercise Program Registration

The HESS Clinical Exercise program is designed to provide safe and functional exercise for individuals with health conditions. The program has been expanded to prepare HESS students enrolled in both Fall 2023 ESS 325: Exercise Testing and Assessment and Spring 2024 ESS 486: Exercise Prescription for clinical practice and applied research. 

HESS students will learn how to test and train individuals who have health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, orthopedic conditions, metabolic disorders, mental health needs, or neurological disorders. Program participants will receive pre-post exercise testing and a 10-week, twice-per-week personal training. This is free of charge as it is a co-curricular learning experience for our students.

Pre-Test Dates: Start the week of November 27 (ESS 325 students will conduct pre-tests)

Exercise Session Dates: January 29- April 12 (ESS 486 students will conduct exercise sessions)

Times: Fridays at 12-12:50 p.m. (during one ESS 486 class period) and a second time scheduled between the participant and student trainer. 

Post-Test Dates: April 15 – April 19

Location: Testing sessions will occur in the HHP Lab in CHESS and exercise sessions will occur in the Lowery Fitness Center.

See the FAQ section below for additional information.  

Faculty and staff who are interested should complete the application forms that were shared via emp_all on October 16 and submit them to Heather Sanderson, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences, by Monday, November 13. Contact Heather Sanderson with questions. 

FAQs About the Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences Clinical Exercise Program

The HESS Clinical Exercise program is designed to provide safe and functional exercise for individuals with health conditions. It prepares HESS students enrolled in both ESS 325: Exercise Testing and Assessment and ESS 486: Exercise Prescription for both clinical practice and applied research.

What are the pretesting dates?

Start the week of November 27 and conducted by Fall 2023 ESS 325 students. Testing sessions will be individual appointment based.

What are the Exercise Session Dates?

The exercise session dates are January 29 – April 12, 2024. An ESS 486 student will be matched with a participant for the entire program.

What are the post testing dates?

Post testing dates will be scheduled the week of April 15, 2024. ESS 486 students will schedule individual appointments for testing sessions.

How Do I Join?

Before participation, you must have medical clearance from your medical provider, complete a self-report health history form, and sign a waiver. All information will be kept confidential and only shared with the program faculty and student trainer. There is no charge for this program.

What is the program location?

Exercise sessions occur at the Lowery Fitness Center in Weatherspoon. The testing sessions occur at the Health and Human Performance lab in the CHESS building.

What days and time does the exercise sessions meet?

The HESS clinical exercise program meets two times per week on Fridays at 9 a.m.-9:50 a.m. and one additional weekly 50 minute session. The additional session will be scheduled between the student trainer and the participant. Sessions will be closed on Meredith College breaks and holidays. There are times when the program will close due to inclement weather. In such cases, please refer to the Meredith College inclement weather policy.

What does the HESS clinical exercise program offer?

Participants are welcome to come and exercise anytime with their student trainer during the program hours and are able to use all equipment in the Lowery Fitness Center. 

Pre and Post Resting and Exercise Assessments

HESS students enrolled in ESS 325: Exercise Testing and Assessment will conduct pre-test functional assessments. These tests allow us to assess your physical capacity at rest and during exertion (cardiorespiratory, body composition, muscular strength, balance, agility, flexibility, mobility, etc.). All testing information will be confidential and only shared with the supervising faculty member and student trainer.

Exercise Prescription

HESS students enrolled in ESS 486: Exercise Prescription student trainers will develop and train you through an individualized exercise program based on your specific goals and health needs. They will conduct post-clinical exercise tests and send you a final report with assessment results and your individualized exercise program.

For more information, contact Heather Sanderson, Ed.D., CSCS, Assistant Professor of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences at hlsanderson@meredith.edu or call (919) 760-8152.