Kinesiology

Exercise Physiology

Integrative Physiology of Exercise Specialization

The graduate Integrative Physiology of Exercise specialization programs are housed in the Department of Kinesiology of the College of Health Professions.  Both the M.S. and the Ph.D. degrees are offered by the Department of Kinesiology. 

The M.S. curriculum can be tailored for students who desire advanced knowledge and competencies in clinical or applied integrative physiology of exercise to practice in hospitals, clinics, and wellness centers as a part of the health care team; and, for students who are preparing for doctoral programs at research intensive institutions.  The clinical or applied integrative physiology of exercise program is designed to be a 2-year non-thesis program.  Students preparing for doctoral programs usually complete a master’s research project or thesis. The coursework in cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletalal systems is designed to provide students the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge and competencies in integrated exercise physiology.  The link to Masters Program provides the general coursework requirements and offerings.  

The PhD. Degree is a research-based degree that is designed to prepare students for research positions or teaching/research positions at Carnegie Research I institutions.  Research expertise of the faculty include acute effects and long-term changes resulting from training on the cardiovascular system, renal function, and control of hypertension in specific populations; musculoskeletal system and bone modeling; energy transformation; disabilities; and, obesity.  The link to Doctoral Program of Study in Integrative Physiology of Exercise provides the general coursework requirements and offerings.

DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY GRADUATE FACULTY IN INTEGRATIVE EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY

Michael Brown - Effects of exercise and genetics on peripheral vascular and renal control of blood pressure in minority populations with essential hypertension.

Zebulon Kendrick - Influence of exercise on metabolism and metabolic diseases. Improving research opportunities for under-represented populations in academic fields.

Melissa Napolitano - Improving physical activity adherence on health outcomes and management of weight loss. Expertise in health behavior change, behavior change theories, technology and public health interventions, and women’s health.

Mayra Santiago - Role of physical activity on improving health outcomes of disabled Individuals.

Vanessa Yingling - Role of endocrine status, nutrition, and exercise in development of peak bone strength.

Thomas Rooney - Exercise and circadian rhythms. Distance education.

Affilitated Faculty in Integrative Exercise Physiology

Mary Barbe - Dr. Barbe is a faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions. Her research area of expertise is motor behavioral and pathophysiological changes associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Gary Foster - Dr. Foster is the Director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education. His research expertise is in the role of physical activity in weight loss and the prevention of weight regain in obese individuals.

Steven Houser - Dr. Houser is a faculty member in the Department of Physiology, School of Medicine and the Director of the Cardiovascular Research Center. His research expertise is in electrical and contractile properties of the normal heart and the defects in these properties that lead to electrical instability and poor cardiac pump performance. He also studies the balance between new myocyte formation (cardiac regeneration) and programmed myocyte death (apoptosis).