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A Unique Area of Specialization

Translating the Science of Exercise Into the Standard of Care

The Academy of Exercise Medicine was formed in response to expansion of scientific data, technology, and clinical interest in the evidence-based applications of exercise science to clinical practice. These developments result from work of clinicians and scientists from diverse medical disciplines, and with focuses across the spectrums of health and disease. The primary goals of the AEM are to foster collaboration among such experts, and in particular to collaboratively identify a core curriculum appropriate for academic training of clinicians in Exercise Medicine, Diagnostics and Therapeutics.

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Diagnostics
Therapeutics
Research & Innovation
Quality &
Equity
The Discipline

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. These range from assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise prescription in primary care to use of exercise assessments 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.

Explore the clinical evidence

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.

Get Involved

Two Paths to Engage with AEM

For Institutions

Faculty or Institutions interested in providing advanced training to clinicians in EMD&T can be involved in the AEM endeavor to develop a competency-based curriculum in EMD&T. Join 16 institutions already developing programs with a curriculum based on national multidisciplinary input.

  • Structured 6-EPA curriculum framework
  • Cost-effectiveness evidence for program justification
  • Synergy with existing subspecialty programs
  • National organizational endorsement and support
Explore the Fellowship

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
Become a Member
Supported By

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

View all endorsements