Exercise Physiology

Department of Kinesiology and Health Education

Assistant professor Audrey Stone works with students in a lab

Exercise Physiology is the study of how our bodily systems respond and adapt to stimuli of acute and chronic exercises and how these changes are related to health, disease, physical function, and performance. Our Exercise Physiology program offers students the opportunity to explore practical areas of study that prepare them for a career promoting healthy lifestyles.

Additionally, graduate students can focus on a research-intensive route that benefits from the vast amount of resources and knowledge provided by the university and faculty.

Students are assigned to an advisor who will guide them through their degree to ensure that they are completing the most optimal coursework in preparation for their future career.

Exercise Physiology provides several options for graduate degrees. We offer a practical M.Ed. graduate program that aims to prepare students to work in clinical rehabilitation, sport science and nutrition fields.

Our research-driven degrees include M.S. and Ph.D. programs that pair students with a faculty mentor. These programs carry out research in various topics studying acute and chronic exercise responses and adaptations related to metabolic and cardiovascular health in people who are physically inactive, aged or diseased. 

Students pursuing research-driven degrees are strongly encouraged to contact the professor conducting research that matches their research interests.

Photo of faculty member Edward F Coyle
Professor

Investigates metabolic and cardiovascular factors that limit exercise performance.

Photo of faculty member Brittany N Crim
Lecturer

Directs the department's Nutrition & Development program.

Photo of faculty member Michelle  Harrison
Research Assistant Professor

Biochemical techniques including ELISA's, multiplexing, automated western blotting, associated data analyses, and standard wet lab skills. Research involving diabetes, inflammation, and neural control of circulation.

Photo of faculty member Jasdeep  Kaur
Assistant Professor

Interests include racial disparities in vascular function and blood pressure responses during exercise in health and disease, and investigating the potential mechanisms for elevated sympathetic activation in patient populations such as type 2 diabete...

Photo of faculty member Harold W Kohl, III
Research Professor

Specializes in public health, epidemiology and the study and promotion of physical activity for health.

Photo of faculty member Sophie  Lalande
Assistant Professor

Studies the limiting factors to exercise capacity in healthy individuals and clinical populations.

Photo of faculty member Jeff  Monaco
Assistant Professor of Instruction

Experienced certified strength and conditioning specialist who develops curriculum for fitness professionals and conducts physiological assessment and exercise program design for those with chronic diseases.

Photo of faculty member Logan K Schwartz
Clinical Assistant Professor

Teaches and develops undergraduate medical fitness and rehabilitation curricula and works with the health fitness instructor specialization.

Photo of faculty member Audrey J Stone
Associate Professor

Autonomic control of circulation during exercise in health and disease, specifically in type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Photo of faculty member Hirofumi  Tanaka
Professor

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...

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.

Clinical Exercise Physiology Laboratory

Examines the cardiovascular limitations to exercise capacity in healthy individuals and clinical populations.

Fitness Institute of Texas

Provides clinical research services for health/fitness research and conducts the popular “Get FIT” program. Outcome measures include body composition, bone density, and cardio-respiratory and musculoskeletal health assessments.

Health and Integrative Physiology Laboratory

Investigates the mechanisms underlying the link between lifestyle behaviors, metabolic health, and chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in at-risk populations.

Human Performance Laboratory

Investigating the types of physical activity and exercise that keep people healthy and allow them to achieve their physical potential.

Neuro Cardiovascular Control Laboratory

Investigates the underlying mechanisms for attenuated vascular function and heightened sympathetic activation in at-risk populations such as African Americans and in clinical populations.

Physical Activity and Core Laboratory

Supports investigators conducting research related to physical activity and exercise interventions.

Photo of Hiro Tanaka

Program Director
Hirofumi Tanaka



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