Exercise Medicine Is a Clinical Discipline — Not Just Fitness Advice
Exercise Medicine, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics (EMD&T) refers to a focus on the use of knowledge and skills in human performance biology in clinical practice. It is applicable to a wide range of primary disciplines ranging from the assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise prescription in primary care to the use of exercise evaluation in pre-operative risk stratification or as an aid to complex medical decision making in chronic disease populations.
Clinicians with expertise in EMD&T are equipped to make assessment of exercise function using a range of validated instruments, design exercise prescriptions, conduct quality-assured laboratory practices, and have specific expertise in the application of exercise assessments in the context of their training discipline.
Diagnostics
- Cardiopulmonary exercise testing including data interpretation and laboratory quality assurance across diverse patients and conditions
Therapeutics
- Evidence-based exercise prescription and supervised training for high-risk patients
- Physical activity training grounded in behavioral science
Research & Innovation
- Exploring novel applications of exercise science in health and disease
- Advancing use of exercise variables in clinical trials
- Incorporation of exercise data in electronic health records
Quality & Equity
- Understanding and addressing disparities in exercise opportunities and access to clinical exercise medicine providers, and the impact of these disparities on health across a lifespan
Two Paths to Engage with AEM
For Institutions
Faculty at institutions interested in providing advanced training for clinicians in EMD&T can join our multidisciplinary providers at 16 academic centers as we continue to refine our AEM 1 year competency-based curriculum for training.
- 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