Introduction

Welcome and thank you for your interest in our Exercise Science program.

The Exercise Science major is designed to help students gain a comprehensive understanding of how and why the human body responds to physical activity and exercise, through foundations in biomechanics, physiology, and psychology.

Along with two other undergraduate degree programs - Health and Physical Education, and Sport Management - we are housed within the Movement Science Department.

Please browse all the related pages and links to find out more about the degree program and emphasis areas, and our excellent students and dedicated faculty.

History

Within the Movement Science Department, a 'Corporate Wellness' emphasis of the B.S. Physical Education degree had been in existence since 1982. In 2001, the first exercise science tenure track faculty was hired to teach exercise physiology content. Starting in 2002, the B.S. Exercise Science degree program was developed from the 'Corporate Wellness' emphasis. In 2004, a second exercise science tenure track faculty was hired.

At it's inception in 2006, the exercise science program had two tenure track faculty and 75 students, and the same two emphasis areas it has today - 'Clinical' and 'Health Fitness Instruction'. To date, the program has 15 full-time faculty, including nine tenure track faculty, and over 1,000 students across both emphasis areas.

Each year we graduate over 300 students, and those students enter jobs ranging from being a personal trainer to an exercise physiologist, and graduate programs including exercise physiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy and public health.

Why Study Exercise Science?

The exercise science major is designed to help students gain a comprehensive understanding of how and why the human body responds to a single bout or regular bouts of physical activity or exercise. The main foundations of exercise science are biomechanics, physiology, and psychology.

Studying exercise science prepares students for careers in a wide range of employment areas ranging from clinical-focused jobs such as an exercise physiologist working with cardiac rehabilitation patients in a hospital, to a strength and conditioning coach working with professional or Olympic athletes. Exercise science is also a foundational gateway degree to graduate and professional degree programs.

Exercise Is Medicine

We support the American College of Sports Medicine's Exercise is Medicine initiative and specifically GVSU's activities within the EIM On-Campus (EIM-OC) initiative. Click here for more details of this exciting and important endeavor.