PhD in Kinesiology - Exercise Physiology in Madison United States | University of Wisconsin-Madison

Exercise Physiology examines how the body responds and adapts to both short-term and long-term physical activity. At UWMadison, research and graduate studies aim to uncover: 1) the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms behind these adaptations, and 2) how exercise impacts health and disease conditions.

Dr. Barnes investigates how aging and physical activity affect blood circulation and blood pressure control. Her current work explores age-related shifts in brain blood flow, how the sympathetic nervous system affects cerebral circulation, and connections to cardiovascular disease and dementia risks. Dr. Diffee researches muscle contraction regulation in skeletal and heart muscles, studying how exercise, injury, or illness modify these processes. Her experiments often measure contractile characteristics in individual muscle fibers and heart cells, linking mechanical changes to protein composition shifts identified through biochemical and molecular methods. The PhD program's Exercise Physiology specialization prepares graduates for academic research and teaching careers.