Exercise Physiology
Department of Kinesiology and Health Education
Designed For
This doctoral program is designed for individuals committed to advancing scientific knowledge in exercise physiology through rigorous, research-intensive study. Students benefit from close mentorship with faculty researchers and access to extensive laboratory and translational research resources.
Career Objective
The program empowers students to develop advanced expertise in designing, conducting and disseminating research that addresses complex health challenges — see our Laboratories and Research areas for specific areas of study. Graduates are prepared to become independent researchers and faculty members, or to pursue government or industry careers. Graduates also are equipped to influence policy, contribute to scientific advancement and improve public health outcomes at local, national and global levels.
At a Glance
Program Starts: Fall, Spring
Deadline to Apply:
Fall Priority (to secure fellowships and assistantships): December 1
Fall Final: May 1
Length of Program: 48-60 months
Program Location: On campus
GRE Required? No
Lead Discovery in Human Performance, Health and Disease
The doctoral program in Exercise Physiology is a research-intensive pathway focused on uncovering how the body responds and adapts to acute and chronic exercise. Students engage in integrative and translational research examining metabolic, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, psychological and autonomic function across the lifespan.
Students are mentored by a faculty member and immersed in cutting-edge research addressing critical issues such as diabetes-related vascular dysfunction, aging and arterial stiffness, skeletal and immune function, physical activity motivation, neural control of blood pressure and disparities in cardiovascular health among underserved populations. These experiences enable students to develop specialized expertise while contributing to impactful, real-world solutions.
The program emphasizes inclusivity and innovation, with research aimed at improving health outcomes across communities. Doctoral students are encouraged to collaborate across disciplines and directly engage with faculty whose research aligns with their interests, ensuring a highly tailored and meaningful academic experience.
Program Director
Hirofumi Tanaka
Graduate Program Administrator
Phillip Salazar
Program Details
Application Requirements
- A master’s degree in kinesiology or a related field from an accredited institution.
- Demonstrated research experience (e.g., thesis, conference presentation or publication).
- Commitment from a faculty member to supervise the student’s doctoral work.
Identify a Potential Advisor
A strong advisor–student relationship is central to success in the Exercise Physiology Ph.D. program. Doctoral students are deeply engaged in research throughout the program, so identifying a faculty advisor whose expertise aligns with your research interests is an important first step.
Applicants without a confirmed faculty supervisor will not be admitted.
Complete the Online Application
Complete the Graduate School’s online application, which requires:
- Three letters of reference
- Official transcripts
- Resume/CV
- A full research statement
Admission Considerations
All prospective students must demonstrate competency in kinesiology or a related discipline on their application by showing they have completed at least two of the three requisites listed below. All three prerequisites must be completed by the end of their first semester.
- Human Anatomy (e.g., KIN 424K)
- Exercise Physiology (e.g., KIN 425K)
- Vertebrate or Human Physiology (e.g., INB 365S)
Completion of a two-semester sequence in Anatomy and Physiology (I and II) will satisfy the prerequisites for both anatomy and human physiology.
Prerequisites are taken in addition to required graduate coursework and must be completed for a letter grade.
Program Requirements
The Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology includes coursework in the major area, supporting coursework, research training and dissertation hours. All organized Exercise Physiology courses (excluding Directed Research) must be taken for a letter grade.
Courses outside the area may be taken credit/no credit with advisor approval, in accordance with Graduate School policy (maximum 6 hours or 20% of the program of work).
Exercise Physiology Core (Minimum 18 Credit Hours)
Students take the following required courses:
- KIN 395 Cardiovascular Responses and Adaptations to Exercise
- KIN 395 Human Cardiovascular and Autonomic Physiology
- KIN 395 Musculoskeletal Physiology
- KIN 395 Endocrine Physiology
Students select from the following courses in consultation with their advisor:
- KIN 395 Conditioning for Competitive Athletes
- KIN 395 Exercise as Medicine
- KIN 382 Advanced Lab Techniques in Exercise Physiology
- KIN 382 Clinical Exercise Physiology
- KIN 395 Aging and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
- KIN 395 Environmental Physiology
- KIN 395 Ergogenic Aids for Exercise
- KIN 395 Exercise as Medicine
- KIN 395 Sports Nutrition
- KIN 395 Human Anatomy Dissection
Research and Seminar (Minimum 6 Credit Hours)
- KIN 196 Doctoral Seminar (two consecutive fall semesters)
- KIN 296 or KIN 396 Directed/Independent Research (two semesters)
Statistics and Research Methods (Minimum 9 Credit Hours)
- KIN 386 Research Methods: Grant Writing (offered every other year)
- Two additional graduate-level statistics or research methods courses approved by the advisor.
Sample Statistics Courses
- SSC 385 Topics in Applied Statistics (Experimental Design, Applied Regression, Applied Multivariate Methods)
- EDP 380C Fundamental Statistics
- EDP 480C Statistical Analysis for Experimental Data
- EDP 482K Experimental Design and Statistical Inference
- EDP 480C Correlation and Regression
- EDP 380K Survey of Multivariate Methods
- SSC 382 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Supporting Coursework (Minimum 6 Credit Hours)
Two advisor-approved courses outside Exercise Physiology.
Sample areas include anthropology (ANT 391L, 392L), biology (BIO 382K, 384K), neuroscience (NEU 383C, 385L), nutrition (NTR 390), epidemiology and physiology (PGS 384S, 386C/D), psychology (PSY 184R), and sociology (SOC 389K, 395J/L).
Dissertation (Minimum 18 Credit Hours)
KIN 999R/999W (or KIN 699 and KIN 399) Dissertation
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
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.
Additional Information
The application opens in early August. Apply and check MyStatus for updates.
