Exercise Medicine Is a Clinical Discipline — Not Just Fitness Advice
Exercise Medicine, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics (EMD&T) provides advanced training in translating human performance biology for multidisciplinary and therapeutic clinical application across a wide range of human disease and health conditions.
Unlike sports medicine — which focuses on injuries related to athletic participation — EMD&T clinicians use precise diagnostic testing, evidence-based exercise prescriptions, and quality-assured laboratory practices to improve outcomes for patients with COPD, heart failure, cancer, congenital heart disease, metabolic disorders, and more.
Despite overwhelming evidence, only 16% of healthcare providers actually prescribe exercise. The average medical school requires approximately 2 hours per year of exercise-related content. EMD&T exists to close this gap.
Diagnostics
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing, data interpretation, laboratory quality assurance across diverse patients and conditions.
Therapeutics
Evidence-based exercise prescriptions, supervised training for high-risk patients, physical activity counseling grounded in behavioral science.
Research & Innovation
Translational science, novel data approaches, embedding exercise performance variables in clinical trials and electronic health records.
Quality & Equity
Standardized protocols, consensus-driven outcome metrics, and addressing health disparities in access to exercise medicine.
Two Paths to Advance Exercise Medicine
For Institutions
Establish an EMD&T fellowship training program at your academic medical center. Join 16 institutions already developing programs with a competency-based curriculum backed by national organizational support.
- Structured 6-EPA curriculum framework
- Cost-effectiveness evidence for program justification
- Synergy with existing subspecialty programs
- National organizational endorsement and support
For Clinicians & Researchers
Join a national community of physicians, clinicians, and scientists united by the clinical discipline of exercise medicine. Shape the future of EMD&T as a founding member.
- Professional network across specialties and institutions
- Curriculum standards and educational resources
- Research collaboration opportunities
- Credentialing pathway as the discipline formalizes
National Organizations Backing EMD&T
ATS
National Medical Society
“We firmly believe that the EMD&T fellowship will profoundly benefit patient health.”
— M. Patricia Rivera, MD, ATSF — President
NASPEM
Professional Society
“The EMD&T fellowship will profoundly benefit child health by setting competencies in exercise medicine.”
— Shannon Siegel, PhD — NASPEM President
CTSA Hubs
12 NIH-funded Research Centers
“EMD&T synergizes with CTSA Hub efforts to increase clinicians with robust skills for clinical and translational research.”
— 12 CTSA Hub Principal Investigators
Clinical Impact Across 11+ Disease Areas
From heart failure to sickle cell disease, from oncology to behavioral health — the evidence for exercise as a clinical intervention is overwhelming and growing.