Exercise Physiology

Program Description:

Exercise physiology, as compared to the general physiology, focuses on the extremes of biological responses to physical activity and what pursues as adaptations then-after, for it pushes the body to its biological limits. Since the behavior of biological systems, the most complex of which is that of human body, is non-linear, a great number of mechanisms involved in homeostasis, change when it comes to extreme conditions. Therefore, attempts to advance the interdisciplinary field of the Exercise Physiology are to be amongst societal commitments of all life scientists.

Collecting data, turning it into knowledge, followed by the application of the knowledge for a better quality of life and human race health and longevity are at the center point of the PhD curriculum of Exercise Physiology. The interdisciplinary nature of the field fosters a breadth and its cellular and molecular approach a depth in the knowledge of candidates. The emphasis of the courses is to reenforce the candidates to adopt an integrative approach for problem solving based on community in the field of exercise physiology, for we believe exercise intervention is the top priority of all health management systems and administrations willing/aiming to slow down (or even to eradicate) the terrifying trend of non-communicating diseases. Course combination is oriented in such a way to guarantee capabilities of graduates in both teaching and performing independent scientific investigations at translational and interventional levels.

Exercise Physiology is an interdisciplinary branch of health sciences exploring the function of different biological systems in human body at extreme conditions, one of which is exercise, at all levels, from molecules to the whole system. It deals with the short- and long-term adaptations to physical activity of various modalities and intensities. Typical courses covered include bioenergetics and exercise metabolism, muscular and cardiovascular adaptations to exercise, respiratory control during exercise, neuroendocrine control during exercise and many other relevant topics.

The program is intended to promote education and quality research in the field of exercise physiology, focusing on an integrative approach and emphasizing on the application of knowledge at institutional, academic and societal levels that will enable the student to grow and develop as an independent scientist.

Objectives:

Expected Competencies at the End of the Program

General Competencies*

Specific Competencies and Skills

Given the emphasis on the impact of acute and chronic exercise on basic physiological systems, the exercise physiology curriculum tends to focus on integrative concepts. These physiological systems rarely work in isolation, if at all, and in many ways the human body is masterfully designed to have redundancies. PhD candidates are therefore envisioned to apply a systemic and an integrative approach to their academic activities. They are to be competent in breaking problems into meaningful detailed research questions when it comes to quest. Acquaintance with the contemporary subjects in the interdisciplinary fields of physical and biological sciences (at a broad sense) is anticipated and accordingly the elective courses are programmed to confer to this need and train candidates to think and act within bridged domains