Exercise physiology degree overview

Here is a snapshot of courses typically required for the major in exercise physiology:

• Human Anatomy – a study of the structure and functions of the body, with emphasis on histology (the microscopic structure of tissues) and the skin, skeletal, and nervous systems
• Biokinetics and Conditioning – testing, designing, and implementing a personal physical fitness program that includes cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition
• Introduction to Exercise Science and Sport Studies – introduction to the exercise science profession, including the objectives, structure, history, philosophy, and biological aspects of physical education and their applications in the field
• Adult Fitness – an overview of the fitness industry that stresses fitness testing and prescriptive fitness programs; the role of fitness centers in the corporate / community structure
• Human Development and Motor Learning – a study of human development and motor learning throughout the life cycle, with emphasis on physical growth, the effects of exercise, fundamental motor patterns, and developmental skill acquisition
• Applied Kinesiology – survey of bone-muscle relationships and problems of analysis in human motion related to the muscular skills in body mechanics and athletics
• Prevention and Care of Sports Injuries – athletic training and the basic techniques, principles, and theories underlying the prevention and care of a variety of athletic injuries and conditions
• Exercise Testing and Prescription – an overview of trends in exercise habits, exercise evaluations, and the process of developing a total wellness approach to living; first aid and CPR certification
• Physiology of Exercise – the function and limitations of the organism during exercise
• Exercise Science Research – how to read, present, and interpret data involved in exercise science research
• Personal and Family Health – the dimensions of health and practices for developing healthy lifestyles; health determinants, lifestyle behaviors, and risk and resilience factors associated with chronic and communicable diseases
• Nutrition – a study of nutritional status and the effect of eating habits and food consumption on society, families, and individuals
• Physical Education and Fitness for Special Populations – the special physical education and physical fitness needs of individuals with chronic or functional handicaps

Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology – One to Two Year Duration
The master’s degree curriculum in exercise physiology expands upon the learning outcomes of the bachelor’s program, with the objective of producing both healthcare practitioners and researchers. Schools may offer a thesis track, an internship track, or both. Graduates will be prepared to work in ongoing development of health and wellness programs, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, hospital-based clinical research, and fitness programs that evaluate athletes and human performance activities.

Among the focus areas covered in coursework and laboratory sessions at the master’s level are:

• Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Exercise – principles of biochemistry and metabolic processes in relation to nutrition and exercise; carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism and their role in providing energy; building and repairing tissues and regulating metabolic processes during physical activity; impact of nutrition on health, fitness, and athletic performance; regulation of cellular metabolism at the level of DNA / RNA
• Cardiovascular Physiology – normal functioning of the cardiovascular system; cardiovascular control and regulation in humans; cardiovascular responses to exercise, hypertension, and cardiac failure
• Clinical Exercise Physiology – pathophysiology of common chronic diseases for which exercise has been shown to be a therapeutic benefit, including diseases associated with the cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal , metabolic, neurological, and immune systems; working with clinical and special populations in medical and nonmedical settings

Doctoral Degree in Exercise Physiology – Three Year Duration
Exercise physiology doctoral programs are focused on training students for academic research and teaching careers related to health and well-being, exercise and physical activity to prevent and treat chronic health-related conditions, and the underlying physiological and behavioral mechanisms. Defense of a doctoral dissertation is the culminating requirement of this degree.

Here are some examples of research areas:

• Obesity and Body Weight Regulation
• Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease
• Epidemiology of Physical Activity and Chronic Disease
• Physical Activity Programming for Health and Fitness
• Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents
• Technology-Based Interventions for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease
• Perceptual Responses to Physical Activity and Exercise

The doctoral core curriculum is composed of coursework that supports the research process. Specific courses may include:

• Introduction to Quantitative Methods: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
• Introduction to Qualitative Methods
• Structural Equation Modeling

Physical Therapy
Physical therapy majors learn how to treat patients for whom movement has become strained or limited due to injury, illness, or aging.

Pre-Medicine
There is no distinct pre-medicine degree. ‘Pre-medicine’ or ‘pre-med’ is merely a term that students planning to go to medical school use to describe their undergraduate studies. In fact, aspiring doctors enter med school having earned many different bachelor’s degrees.

A science program such as biology or chemistry is certainly a common choice, but it is not mandatory. In other words, a pre-med student can be a psychology major, a statistics major, or a Spanish major. The key for students is to incorporate into their studies the classes needed to apply to medical school.

Recreation and Leisure Studies
The recreation and leisure studies curriculum combines classroom instruction with real-life experiences through community engagement. Students learn how to assess recreation and leisure needs within communities, develop and administer programs and events that respond to those needs, and evaluate the success of their responses.

Courses explore topics like the history and philosophy of recreation and leisure, the sociology of well-being, and recreation for special populations such as children, the elderly, and the physically or mentally challenged.

A degree in exercise physiology can also lay the foundation for further studies leading to these professional degrees:

• Chiropractic
• Dietetics
• Kinesiology
• Massage Therapy
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Nutrition Science
• Occupational Therapy
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy
• Physician Assistant