Exercise Physiology is the study of issues related to acute and chronic effects of physical activity on human physiological systems and health. Additionally, this emphasis area focuses on how fundamental concepts of human energetics and mechanics apply to exercise, sport, physical exertion, and health promotion.

Students will examine the role of physical activity and exercise in promoting optimal health/wellness and preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, injury, obesity, osteoporosis, and other common medical conditions. Students will learn to apply principles of physiology to solve problems related to functional responses and adaptations involved in human skeletal muscular activity.

This emphasis area has strong interdisciplinary ties with many academic programs across campus:

• medicine
• nursing
• physical therapy
• public health
• epidemiology
• physiology
• nutrition
• psychology

Associated labs

Laboratory of Integrative Human Physiology, directed by Donald Dengel, PhD

Human Performance Teaching Laboratory, directed by Donald Dengel, PhD and Jürgen Konczak, PhD

Human Sport Performance Laboratory, directed by Christopher Lundstrom, PhD

Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene and Exercise Science, directed by Li Li Ji, PhD

Skeletal Muscle Plasticity and Regeneration Laboratory, directed by Sarah Greising, PhD

Associated faculty