Exercise Physiology

The overall mission of the Exercise Physiology group is to use integrative and translational approaches to discover and disseminate basic, applied, and clinical knowledge on the metabolic, cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, and autonomic responses to exercise. This research encompasses transitions within the lifespan including from health to disease, from young to old, and from sedentary to active. We view inclusiveness and excellence as interconnected in our research programs and strive to target diverse and underserved populations in our investigations. We are committed to improving the health of all our communities.

Some central aims addressed in our research laboratories include:

• Discovering the most effective methods to counteract physical inactivity is central to Kinesiology. That includes determining the amount, type, and timing of exercise that promotes health, particularly in people who lack the resources of free time, access, and knowledge. This especially applies to older adults, adolescents, and home-bound individuals. (Coyle)
• Type 2 diabetes severely impairs the cardiovascular health of millions of Americans. Our objective is to determine whether exposure to intermittent hypoxia improves oxygen-carrying capacity, glycemic control, and vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes. (Lalande)
• Although increases in blood pressure are essential to providing adequate blood flow to exercising muscles, individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes respond to exercise with dangerously high spikes in blood pressure, which may cause a heart attack or stroke. Our research focuses on the mechanisms responsible for the altered neural control of blood pressure during exercise during the development and progression of these diseases. (Stone)
• Vascular function and functional capacity deteriorate with advancing age more markedly in underserved ethnic and racial minorities. The current emphasis is placed on arterial stiffness in African Americans via the ‘Jackson Heart’ study and in ‘Hispanics via the Study on Latinos.’ In particular, we evaluate the efficacy of various lifestyle modifications to prevent and reverse these age-associated changes in vascular function. (Tanaka)
• Regular physical activity is associated with improved public health and we aim to evaluate the roles of the individual, the environment, and policy levers to increase physical activity in the community. (Kohl)
• African Americans have attenuated endothelial blood vessel function and exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise, compared to Caucasian Americans. We aim to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop interventions to improve cardiovascular health in African American men and women. (Kaur)

Students applying for the master’s degree program (M.S. or M.Ed.) in Exercise Physiology are expected to hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Students should have an undergraduate degree in kinesiology or a related field (e.g. biology, physiology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, etc.).

Students applying for the M.S. or M.Ed. in Exercise Physiology are expected to hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Students should have an undergraduate degree in kinesiology or a related field (e.g. biology, physiology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, etc.).

All students applying for graduate study are expected to demonstrate competency in each of the following three areas (prerequisite courses):

1. Human Anatomy (e.g., KIN 424K)
2. Exercise Physiology (e.g., KIN 425K)
3. Vertebrate or Human Physiology (e.g., BIO 365S)

Prerequisites should be completed in the first semester of study if possible and must be completed prior to graduation. 

Meeting the Requirements

Competency is typically demonstrated by the completion of specific undergraduate courses taken in kinesiology or other disciplines.  Students may be admitted to the graduate program without these core courses, provided that they fulfill these requirements either prior to starting their degree for master’s students or prior to advancement to candidacy for doctoral students.

Students can meet these competencies by taking the necessary course(s) at the University of Texas, as noted above.  Students taking any of these courses at the University of Texas will also need to fulfill any prerequisites for these courses. Undergraduate core competencies are in addition to the required courses in the student’s graduate program.

It is recommended that any deficiencies be completed prior to entering the program.  It is typically possible to complete the core competencies during the summer prior to beginning the program. All courses must be taken for a letter grade to fulfill the competency area requirement. 

After entering the program, the student should download and submit the prerequisite form to the faculty advisor for approval before it is submitted to the graduate program coordinator for filing.  

Specific requirements for each master’s degree program are outlined below. All organized graduate courses (i.e., not including Directed Research) taken in Exercise Physiology must be taken for a letter grade. Courses taken outside of Exercise Physiology may be taken on a credit/no credit basis (with advisor’s approval), as allowed by the Graduate School (i.e., no more than 6 credit hours, or 20% of the hours on the Program of Work).

Sample Curriculum

Sample Curriculum

The facilities of individual faculty members are state of the art. In addition to individual faculty’s laboratory space, the program is enriched by the research support of the Health and Integrative Physiology Laboratory and Physical Activity Core Laboratory that can be used for exercise intervention studies.

The current interest in healthy lifestyles and the role that exercise plays provides a remarkable range of career opportunities related to Exercise Physiology. This includes

• strength and conditioning coaching for professional and intercollegiate athletic teams,
• personal training,
• cardiac rehabilitation,
• worksite health, and
• corporate wellness programs.

By participating in cutting-edge research and coursework, students will have the opportunity to invest in the future of exercise physiology.

Please note, however, that before you begin working in a laboratory, you are required to perform:

• all required lab safety training from UT Environmental Health and Safety and
• all Institutional Review Board (IRB) and conflict of interest disclosure (for human research) OR
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Training (for animal research)

Each student is advised by the professor whose research or expertise corresponds with the academic interest of the student. The role of the adviser is to

• provide sample coursework for the degree,
• approve the selection of specific courses within the student’s program, and
• provide feedback about student progress.

Please contact the appropriate faculty member for more information on advising.

• 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