Kinesiology BIPs provide students with active learning opportunities

As students progress in their studies and find more elective opportunities in their schedules, the Michigan State University Kinesiology Department offers several active classes.

Basic Instruction Programs (BIPs) are offered within the kinesiology department and range from skating to swimming to weightlifting. BIP courses are scheduled activities in which enrolled students can participate.

According to the Kinesiology Department website, there are 48 courses offered. Of these, 32 are beginner courses, graded on a pass/fail scale that introduce basic skills and knowledge of an activity. The remaining 16 are advanced courses, graded on a point scale and build on existing knowledge.

Besides gaining knowledge about a sport or activity, improving physical health is the most notable benefit of actively participating in these classes.

Katharine Currie, an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and an exercise physiologist, said these classes have multiple benefits. Movement and physical activity help with weight management, building muscle mass and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

According to Currie, physical activity guidelines for adults in the U.S. should aim for “150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise” per day, with muscle-strengthening activities twice per week in addition.

Enrolling in these classes helps students meet that guideline, Currie said. With an activity integrated into students’ schedules, students also find it easier to be active.

Catherine Polulak, a senior in political theory and constitutional democracy, is taking her third BIP class since she started at MSU. She was enrolled in a general fitness class in the fall of 2023, a soccer class last spring, and is currently taking a yoga class.

“I really like that structure because I’m someone who likes to go to the gym, but I have a busy schedule,” Polulak said. “So that’s really nice, it’s really convenient, and it motivates me the rest of the day to go to the gym.”

In addition, physical activity ensures a healthier lifestyle.

Currie’s research on cardiovascular health shows that exercise can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels and lower blood pressure. Arteries can become stiffer as people age, and regular exercise can help keep blood vessels more elastic.

The wide range of BIP classes for students can range from heavy boxing to a more relaxed sailing lesson, giving students with different levels of physical activity plenty of choice.

Scott Petritz, the Sailing Center Facility Manager and sailing instructor, teaches KIN 101U, a sailing course on Lake Lansing. Sailing meets twice a week for a month and teaches students how to sail a dinghy.

Petritz said the main goal of his classes is to get students excited about sailing and that includes physical activity.

“I wouldn’t say sailing is (rigorous), like exercise per se, but I would say it’s a type of skill that’s very unique and strange. So it’s definitely mentally challenging, but also very rewarding,” Petritz said.

Physical activity also has many benefits for mental health.

“There’s research that shows the psychological benefits of exercise, that it can reduce depressive symptoms and improve mood,” Currie said. “There’s research that it can help you sleep better, and we now know that sleep is a really important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, that people who have healthier sleep habits have a lower risk of those diseases later in life.”

In addition to psychological benefits, the social aspect of BIP classes can also help with mental health. Socializing and building networks on campus is helpful for mental health, Currie explained. Exposing students to activities they may not have tried before is also beneficial, she said.

Petritz noted that finding a sense of liberation on the water has a psychological benefit. Because the sailing center is located on Lake Lansing, students are separated from their daily campus life and stressors in a peaceful environment. Students are also paired up on the dinghies, which allows them to meet new people and build relationships.

“It puts you in the mindset that you’re part of a team and you’re pushing yourself and it just feels amazing to accomplish that,” Polulak said. “I feel like there’s clarity after my yoga classes because I just feel so calm.”

Courses have different equipment requirements and may incur additional fees, according to the Kinesiology Department website. Students can earn up to eight BIP enrollment credits. The program plans to add a course on reading electrocardiograms, as well as an advanced archery course.