The exercise physiology graduate program at Purdue University focuses on understanding how exercise affects health throughout the life span. Faculty in the program also investigate the effect of various therapeutic strategies to improve overall health and well-being. The exercise physiology graduate program coordinates with the Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs to offer a dual-title PhD as well as a minor and graduate certificate in gerontology through the Center on Aging and the Life Course.

Program Highlights

  • Work directly with one of the exercise physiology graduate faculty mentors through our mentor-based program.
  • Complete coursework in kinesiology, exercise physiology, biochemistry, biomechanics, research methods and related areas.

Potential Careers

  • Biomedical research scientist
  • Product research and development
  • Clinical research coordinator
  • Exercise physiologist
  • University faculty
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Research

Within the department’s state-of-the-art research facilities, you can engage in a variety of research topics, from understanding the role exercise plays in health and disease to designing interventions for rehabilitation.

Professor Roseguini in lab

Research Opportunities

  • Investigate the role of advanced glycation end-products in the pathophysiology of tendon degeneration and the role of estrogen in maintaining the tendon extracellular matrix
  • Improve tendon health in older adults through combined nutrition/exercise approaches
  • Identify therapeutic targets and improve microvascular and muscle function with rehabilitation and pharmacological/ non-pharmacological interventions in healthy patients and patients with heart failure
  • Investigate the acute and long-term impact of heat therapy on the vasculature and skeletal muscle of patients with peripheral artery disease as well as healthy young volunteers

Research Areas

  • Causes of tendon degeneration and loss of function in older adults and those with diabetes
  • Effects of exercise and chronic disease (obesity, diabetes) on skeletal muscle health
  • Exercise tolerance in health
  • Exercise tolerance in heart failure
  • Exercise intolerance in peripheral artery disease

Research Facilities

Admissions/Requirements

Chad Carroll

Program Director

Dr. Carroll’s academic work has molded an overall portfolio of research, teaching, and service around a central theme of tendon biology.