3 credits
Spring 2026 Lecture Upper Division
This course is designed to provide students with competencies related to electrocardiogram and exercise testing. Students will develop skills to interpret a 12-lead ECG, prep and execute a resting 12-lead ECG, complete appropriate pre-screening for graded exercise testing and develop an understanding and initial skills for administering a diagnostic exercise test. Additionally, students will explore various cardiac, pulmonary and/or metabolic testing common to the clinical exercise testing setting. The course is designed to help students prepare for future clinical practice and certifications, such as the ACSM clinical exercise physiologist certification.
Learning Outcomes1Explain the application of ECG and rationale of its utilization in preventative, diagnostic and prognostic settings.
2Establish fundamental knowledge of ECG interpretation, identification of abnormalities, and the clinical significance of findings.
3Utilize critical thinking skills to identify anatomical and physiological reasons for ECG changes and potential diagnoses.
4Demonstrate abilities to execute a resting 12-lead ECG and ECG with stress testing and communicate results (recognizing both normal and abnormal responses to exercise).
5Explore and differentiate various assessments/tests common to the clinical exercise testing setting.
6Appraise different test characteristics - reliability, validity, sensitivity, specificity, etc., and its relevance with test selection.
7Synthesize knowledge obtained from pre-screening information and test characteristics to select appropriate assessments/tests and protocol.
8Display proficient application of various exercise test protocols, their utilization and associated best practices.
Prerequisites
Restrictions
made by Purdue students.