Division of Exercise Physiology

General Information

Exercise physiology is a rapidly evolving field that is becoming increasingly important in the delivery of health care. Exercise physiologists are trained to evaluate people in the areas of cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, neuromuscular integration, and body composition. They are also trained to provide exercise programs based on the results of these evaluations that are designed to increase the functional capacity of the participants.

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 out-patient clinics, in community, corporate, commercial and university fitness and wellness centers, in nursing homes and senior citizens centers, as well as in research and academic settings. Employment opportunities are expanding and increase with experience and level of education.

The Human Performance Laboratory of the Division of Exercise Physiology provides clinical exercise programs for disease prevention, management, and rehabilitation. The Lab provides area residents and WVU employees the opportunity to improve physical and mental well-being through participation in comprehensive health promotion programs.

The programs are unique in that exercise is prescribed for each participant on the basis of individual needs, limitations, and results of laboratory testing. Participants will also be provided with an assessment of behavioral and psychosocial risk factors associated with physical health and well-being.