What is Exercise Physiology?

Exercise physiology is the study of the body's response and adaptation to exercise over time. These responses include changes in your metabolism, heart, lungs, muscles, and structural changes in cells.

How do you measure these responses and changes?

Exercise physiologists use exercise tests and other evaluation tools (resting metabolic rate, body composition, pulmonary function test, muscle oxygen monitoring, electrocardiograms, etc.) to measure these responses and changes in your metabolism, heart, lungs, muscles, and cells.

Who are Exercise Physiologists?

Exercise Physiologists are certified health fitness professionals that administer exercise tests and other health evaluations to determine a person's overall health and fitness level, and then provide an exercise prescription (ExRx) that is specifically tailored to your heart function, lung capabilities, metabolism, and fitness goals.

Exercise Physiology vs. Physical Therapy

Exercise Physiology

Similarities

Physical Therapy

• Administer exercise tests to evaluate individual's fitness.

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• Measure individual's cardiovascular function and metabolism

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• Create custom exercise plans designed to improve limiting systems in the body.

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• Help individuals meet specific sports performance or weight loss goals.

• Use exercise as a tool to meet individual's fitness and wellness  goals.

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• Review individual's medical history and condition.

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• Develop movement and fitness programs that help injured or sick individuals recover.

• Diagnose movement dysfunctions.​

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• Provide hands-on manual therapy, massage, and traction.

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• Provide post-surgery rehabilitation.

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• Utilize electrical muscle stimulation, hot and cold therapy, laser therapy, and traction.

• Diagnose movement dysfunctions.​

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• Provide hands-on manual therapy, massage, and traction.

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• Provide post-surgery rehabilitation.

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• Utilize electrical muscle stimulation, hot and cold therapy, laser therapy, and traction.