P984 Physical Education – Hardening

Faculty of Sports Studies
spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 1 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Ing. Václav Široký (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Andrea Novotná (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Pavla Kalinová
University Sport Centre – Department of Physical Education and Social Sciences – Faculty of Sports Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Andrea Novotná
Supplier department: University Sport Centre – Department of Physical Education and Social Sciences – Faculty of Sports Studies
Prerequisites
POV_TV && BOZP_OK(bozp_cus_tv_otuzovani)
The course is geared for obligatory PE only.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 14 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/14, only registered: 13/14, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/14
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the effects of cold therapy on the human body, to teach them the basic principles and techniques of cold therapy, to build physical and mental fitness, and to strengthen the immune system.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will have mastered various cold therapy techniques and will be able to independently and safely practice cold therapy and breathing techniques according to their individual needs.
Syllabus
  • Safety Principles – Risks, First Aid, Adaptation, OHS
  • Sauna Rituals
  • Breathing Techniques – Working with controlled breath
  • Working with the Body in Cold – Mindset, Physical Preparation, Body Awareness
  • History of Cold Therapy
  • Run to the winter swimming spot in Jundrov
  • Wim Hof Method
  • Cold Physiology – Thermoregulation, Immunity, Stress Response
  • Run to the winter swimming spot in Jundrov
  • Kneipp Method
  • Impact of Cold Exposure on Performance and Recovery – Biohacking, Sports Context
  • Winter Swimming – Practicing cold exposure as a sport
Literature
  • Kox et al. (2014). Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 111(20), 7379–7384.
  • Castellani, J. W., & Young, A. J. (2016). Human physiological responses to cold exposure: Acute responses and acclimatization to prolonged exposure. Autonomic Neuroscience, 196, 63–74. (EN)
  • Hof, W., & de Jong, K. (2021). Ledový muž: Metoda Wima Hofa (P. Miklica, Trans.). Jan Melvil Publishing. (CS)
Teaching methods
Theoretical explanation and practical exercises.

Part of the lessons involves running to the hardening site, where hardening takes place, and then running back to the boathouse. The total length of the run is 4 km.

Group method

Assessment methods
  • practice, credit
  • credit is awarded to students for physically completed attendance
  • 2 excused absences in IS and 2 unexcused absences are allowed
    • Language of instruction
    Czech
    Teacher's information
    In the event that classes are cancelled by the instructor (e.g. due to illness or organizational reasons), the classes will be made up in the 13th week of the semester.
    The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2002, Spring 2003, Autumn 2003, Spring 2004, Spring 2005, Autumn 2005, Spring 2006, Autumn 2006, Spring 2007, Autumn 2007, Spring 2008, Autumn 2008, Spring 2009, Autumn 2009, Spring 2010, Autumn 2010, Spring 2011, Autumn 2011, Spring 2012, Autumn 2012, Spring 2013, autumn 2013, Spring 2014, Autumn 2014, autumn 2021, spring 2022, autumn 2022, spring 2023, autumn 2025.
    • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
    • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fsps/spring2026/P984