Ball State’s Recreation Services has unveiled a new learning facility. The exercise science program will use the space for hands-on skill development to teach students proper resistance training skill techniques, the use of assessment technology for resistance training, and resistance training exercise prescription for both athletes and fitness careers.

Mary Winfrey-Kovel, Exercise Science Undergraduate Program Coordinator for Ball State University’s School of Kinesiology, elaborates on how this new learning facility came about.

“The project was initiated by Recreation Services to assist ROTC, the Exercise Science program, and recreational sports teams to have a dedicated training space,” Winfrey-Kovel said. “EXSC and ROTC in the past have had to work within the Rec schedule to find space and time to teach classes and train. Prior to this space, EXSC strength and conditioning courses were mainly restricted to classroom only teaching, which limits the knowledge a student can learn without having access to develop actual training skills with equipment. Recreation Services and the College of Health provided most of the funding to create the new space in the Field Sports Building-RC 122.”

The new learning facility meets several goals in hopes to improve students learning and productivity. There are also several technological advances that the learning facility has available for students.

“Our main goal is to provide the skills necessary to work within the sport performance or fitness industry by developing skills utilizing current equipment and technology so students can assess, prescribe, and track individual exercise performance to decrease injury risk and increase training efficiency,” Winfrey-Kovel said.

The new learning facility has the power to impact students in multiple ways and influence their future learning opportunities. A positive learning environment space is crucial for a student’s ability to thrive in their desired career field.

“Students will have access to current industry standard resistance training equipment and technology-based assessments tools and improve job preparedness and opportunity,” Winfrey-Kovel said. “Prior to this space, strength and conditioning courses were limited to classroom learning with very little hands-on skill development. It is difficult to learn how to train moving people if you do not have access to the equipment to train. Athletics did provide some opportunities to use their space, but it was difficult to get specific times consistently. This space will allow us to improve our curriculum to include a concentration in strength and conditioning coaching and to seek accreditation by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. In 2030, the NSCA will require individuals to be a certified strength and conditioning coach for colleges, professional teams, and military, to graduate from an accredited strength and conditioning program, undergraduate or graduate level, to sit for the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification exam – CSCS certified. This space will improve the course offerings for our Coaching minor, which many education majors take so they can coach in the schools and for recreation leagues.”