Service learning and self-efficacy in exercise science: outcomes of a community fitness training program involving undergraduate Exercise Science students.

Abstract

There is increasing awareness of the importance of civic engagement in higher education. Service-learning activities in undergraduate programs, in particular, have been linked to positive academic outcomes and gains in various forms of self-efficacy. Exercise Science students at our university complete two service-learning courses as part of the curriculum, each of which involves implementing a structured 12-week individualized fitness training program with a community member client. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of these service-learning experiences on Exercise Science students' self-efficacy for fitness assessment and exercise prescription. Students completed a seven-item self-efficacy questionnaire administered at both the beginning and end of each service-learning course and reflected on their experience using an end-of-course survey. Our results showed significant improvements in self-efficacy from pretest to posttest for each of the two service-learning experiences, with the second experience producing additional gains in self-efficacy over and above the first. Students also reported improved confidence in their fitness assessment and exercise prescription skills in the end-of-course survey. Community members involved in the fitness training program reported a positive experience with students' knowledge of fitness assessment and exercise prescription as well as their own progression to independence in a home exercise program. Our findings highlight the benefits of including a structured service-learning experience in the Exercise Science curriculum.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study was done to investigate the effect of a structured fitness training experience on Exercise Science students' self-efficacy for fitness assessment and exercise prescription. Our results indicate a significant improvement in self-efficacy from pretest to posttest. Students also reported improved confidence in their fitness assessment and exercise prescription skills. Community members reported a positive experience with students' knowledge of fitness assessment and exercise prescription and their progression to independence in a home exercise program.