Exercise Physiology
What is Exercise Physiology?
Exercise Physiology is an emerging allied-health profession which provides specialist exercise services for the prevention and management of chronic disease and injuries.
Exercise Physiologists (EPs) provide clinical exercise therapy for people with cardiovascular (e.g. heart disease) and metabolic (e.g. diabetes) conditions, musculoskeletal conditions (e.g. arthritis or workplace injuries), neuromuscular disorders (e.g. stroke) and other conditions, including cancer and depression.
EPs also deliver exercise and lifestyle change programs for the primary prevention of disease in apparently healthy populations.
Studying Exercise Physiology at UNSW
The Bachelor of Exercise Physiology (3871) commences for the first time in 2010, replacing the Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science (3870, commenced 2006), which was preceded by the Bachelor of Science in Health and Sports Science (3850, commenced 2002). The changes reflect the increasingly clinical focus of the program and the growth of the allied health profession of Exercise Physiology.
Undergraduate students are trained to develop a thorough understanding of the relationship between physical activity and health, and attain competencies in exercise-based tests and clinical exercise prescription. Extensive clinical training and a very strong basis in the medical sciences are hallmarks of this course. For more information about the program please visit the
Future Students section of this website.
The Exercise Physiology Unit
First formed in 2005 as Health and Exercise Science, the Exercise Physiology unit consolidates the group of staff with primary teaching responsibilities in the Exercise Physiology program and with a core research theme that centres on how exercise can be used to maintain and improve health. Visit the relevant staff links for more detailed descriptions of the research activities.