Physical Activity & Wellness (WPA/L 101)

Physical Activity and Wellness includes a fully online lecture (WPA 101) and a physical activity lab (WPAL 101) that must be taken simultaneously.

The combination of the lecture and lab fulfill the University Studies Lifespan Wellness requirement. Lecture topics include behavior change and awareness for the following 12 dimensions of wellness:

• Self-Responsibility & Love
• Breathing
• Sensing
• Eating
• Moving
• Feeling
• Thinking
• Playing & Working
• Communicating
• Intimacy
• Finding Meaning
• Transcending

A wide variety of physical activity lab activities are offered. WPAL 101 lab topics include:

• Physical Activity and Your Whole Person Wellness
• Lifestyle and Outdoor Physical Activity
• Aerobic Fitness and Wellness
• Muscular Fitness and Wellness
• Flexibility, Mobility and Wellness
• Breath, Balance and Neuromotor Activities
• Physical Activity and Psychological Wellbeing
• A Healthy Relationship with Physical Activity
• Physical Activity and Energy Management
• Fitness for Every Body
• Social Media, Technology and Physical Activity
• Sustainable Commitment to an Active Lifestyle

View lab descriptions

As part of the Lifetime Wellness requirement, students are required to participate in physical activity. It is strongly suggested that students visit a medical professional and obtain a physical prior to the beginning the class.

If a student has not had a physical within 14 months of the start of class, they may be required to obtain a physical or get physician approval prior participating in the class. This decision will be based upon information students provide to their instructor through a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire.

If a physical or physician approval is required, students are expected to complete that as soon as possible so they can engage in the course. Failure to obtain necessary approval after being instructed to do so could result in being dropped from WPAL 101.

Any restrictions placed on participation in physical activity by a physician will not adversely affect student grade.

For students who would like to substitute courses completed at other academic institutions or request a course waiver for other reasons (military service, age, etc.), visit our Waiver and Substitution Guidelines.

A fully online version of WPA/L 101 is available only for UNCW extension and distance education students.

Students with limitations, due to a documented disability or chronic health condition, may request reasonable modifications or adaptations to participate to their greatest extent possible, while maintaining the course objectives.

Students who are unable to engage in physical activity, due to a documented disability or chronic health condition, may request a substitution of WPA/L 101 that does not require physical activity. Requests for modifications, adaptations and substitutions for these reasons must go through the Disability Resource Center.

For more information, contact the Disability Resource Center or the Physical Activity and Wellness Coordinator.