运动生理学广泛地基于基础科学：人体解剖学，生理学，化学和生物学，其主要目标是了解各种细胞，组织，器官和器官系统如何应对运动和体育锻炼带来的挑战。运动生理学的研究可能集中在理解最佳表现（例如精英​​和训练有素的运动员所达到的最佳表现）以及患有一种或多种慢性疾病的个体的表现和生理适应性。运动生理学一直保持综合性，研究一种生理系统的衰竭或增强如何影响另一种生理系统。它还考虑了运动期间环境如何通过诸如高温，低温，潮湿和高海拔暴露等方式限制身体。密西西比州立大学的运动生理学课程旨在为学生做好职业准备，使他们成为在健
Exercise physiology is broadly based on basic sciences: human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology, with the primary goal being to understand how various cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems respond to challenges posed by exercise and physical training. Study in exercise physiology may center on understanding optimal performance such as that attained by elite and highly trained athletes and on performances and physiological adaptations of individuals with one or more chronic diseases. Exercise physiology has remained integrative, examining how the failure or enhancement of one physiological system can influence another. It also considers how the environment limits the body during exercise through such means as heat, cold, humidity, and altitude exposure. The exercise physiology program at Mississippi State University is designed to prepare students for careers as exercise physiologists serving in fitness centers, hospital-based wellness and clinical rehabilitation centers, schools, and universities. In addition, the program prepares students for advanced graduate study leading to the doctoral degree.