Exercise Physiology
Department of Kinesiology and Health Education
Exercise Physiology is the study of how the body responds and adapts to acute and chronic exercise, and how these changes influence health, disease, physical function and performance. Our program blends foundational science with practical application to prepare students for careers that promote healthy lifestyles.
Graduate students may pursue either a practice-focused or research-intensive path, supported by extensive university and faculty expertise. All students are paired with a faculty advisor to guide course selection and ensure alignment with their career goals.
We offer multiple graduate degree options:
- M.Ed. (Applied Track): Prepares students for careers in clinical rehabilitation, sport science and nutrition.
- M.S. and Ph.D. (Research Tracks): Pair students with faculty mentors to conduct research on exercise adaptations related to metabolic and cardiovascular health, particularly among inactive, aging and clinical populations.
Students in research-focused programs are strongly encouraged to connect with faculty whose work aligns with their interests prior to applying.
Central Research Themes
Our mission is to advance basic, applied, and clinical knowledge of metabolic, cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary and autonomic responses to exercise using integrative and translational approaches. Our work spans the lifespan—from youth to older adulthood—and across the continuum from health to disease, with a commitment to inclusive research that serves diverse and underserved populations.
Core research areas include:
- Investigating abnormal blood pressure responses to exercise in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and the underlying neural mechanisms. (Stone)
- Examining age-related declines in vascular function—especially in underserved populations—and evaluating interventions to prevent or reverse these changes. (Tanaka)
- Studying disparities in cardiovascular responses to exercise, including vascular function and blood pressure regulation in individuals with diabetes. (Kaur)
- Investigating behavioral and environmental determinants of bone health across the lifespan. (Little-Letsinger)
- Investigating neuro/biological drivers of physical activity motivation to help people enjoy and sustain physically active lifestyles for lasting health benefits. (Letsinger)
Faculty
Investigates the potential mechanisms for elevated sympathetic activation in patient populations such as type 1 and 2 diabetes and racial disparities in vascular function and blood pressure responses during exercise in health and disease.
Accepting new students
Exploring neuro/biological mechanisms driving physical activity motivation to develop interventions that enhance long-term exercise participation and human well-being.
Accepting new students
Takes an integrative physiology approach to environmental and behavioral determinants of bone health with a focus on bone-immune interactions.
Accepting new students
Autonomic control of circulation during exercise in health and disease, specifically in type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Effects of vascular dysfunction due to aging, and the lifestyle habits that can prevent or reverse dysfunction. Role of peripheral vascular dysfunction in the pathogenesis of cognitive and cerebrovascular dysfunction Reduction in physiological functi...
Accepting new students
Note that retired faculty (professors emeriti), research professors and teaching faculty (professors of instruction) do not supervise graduate research.
Labs and Research Areas
Our research laboratories are state-of-the-art. In addition to individual faculty’s laboratory space, the program is enriched by the Health and Integrative Physiology Laboratory and The Fitness Institute of Texas as they provide additional resources for phlebotomy, biochemical assays and exercise intervention studies. Combined, these resources provide the opportunity for cutting-edge research and coursework, allowing students the opportunity to invest in the future of exercise physiology.
Autonomic Control of Circulation Laboratory
Investigates the effects of type 1 and type 2 diabetes on the neural control of circulation during exercise.
Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory
Investigates the influence of aging and lifestyle modifications on vascular function and disease risks.
Provides clinical research services for health/fitness research and conducts the popular “Get FIT” program. Outcome measures include body composition, bone density and cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal health assessments.
Health and Integrative Physiology Laboratory
Provides resources to perform phlebotomy and biochemical assays to investigate mechanistic research questions.
Neuro Cardiovascular Control Laboratory
Investigates the underlying mechanisms for attenuated vascular function and heightened sympathetic activation in clinical populations including type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The Physical Activity Motivation Lab
Investigates neuro/biological drivers of physical activity motivation to help people enjoy and sustain physically active lifestyles for lasting health benefits.
Translational Osteoimmunology Lab
Investigates environmental and behavioral determinants of lifelong bone health using an integrative physiology approach.
Related Professional Organizations
- American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- American Autonomic Society
- American College of Sports Medicine
- American Heart Association
- American Physiological Society
- Clinical Exercise Physiology Association
- International Federation of Sports Medicine
- National Strength and Conditioning Association
- Texas Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine
