The mission of the Division of Exercise Physiology is to prepare qualified professionals at the BS level to promote health and quality of life through the use of appropriate physical activity and lifestyle behaviors. In addition, it is our mission to provide exercise physiology programs and expertise at the community, state, and national levels, and to make meaningful scientific contributions to the discipline of exercise science through faculty research and by training graduate students in research skills.
The WVU Exercise Physiology Program was established in the Health Sciences Center's School of Medicine in July 1993. The program offers a four-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Exercise Physiology, a one- or two-year program leading to a Master of Science (clinical or thesis track), and a doctoral program leading to a PhD in Exercise Physiology. The BS program was recently accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and meets the knowledge, skill, and aptitude (KSA) requirements for students to be eligible to take the certification examinations offered by the American College of Sports Medicine.
What is an Exercise Physiologist?
Exercise physiology is the study of the biological and biochemical processes associated with exercise and overload that affects the underlying function of cells and organ systems in the human body. Exercise physiology is a rapidly evolving field that is becoming increasingly important in the delivery of healthcare. Exercise physiologists work to prevent or delay the onset of chronic disease in healthy participants or to provide therapeutic or functional benefits to patients with known disease. Services may be offered in a variety of medical settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics; in community, corporate, commercial, and university fitness and wellness centers; in nursing homes and senior citizens centers; and in research and academic settings.
Research by scientists trained in exercise physiology have greatly expanded our understanding of the ways in which exercise affects cell function. Advances in research in exercise physiology have provided a foundation for many types of medical treatment in areas that include but are not limited to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, aging, obesity, and disuse atrophy. Employment opportunities are expanding and increase with experience and level of education.
Exercise physiologists are trained to evaluate people in the areas of cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, neuromuscular integration, and body composition. Based on the results of these evaluations, exercise physiologists are also trained to provide exercise programs that are designed to increase the functional capacity of the participants.
Exercise physiologists find employment working with athletes, patients, and healthy participants in the areas of disease prevention in wellness programs or rehabilitation in hospital settings. The BS is also a preparatory degree for graduate school. Graduates of this program continue their studies in exercise physiology, physical therapy, medicine, or other health-related careers. Graduates of the MS or PhD programs find employment in corporate wellness, hospital rehabilitation, higher education, or other research settings, while graduates of our PhD program have obtained postdoctoral positions in prestigious universities and medical schools. Additionally, they may be employed in a wide variety of private, community, state, and national agencies. Exercise physiology is an evolving field that is becoming increasingly important with the integration of preventive medicine into the healthcare system.