Stanford University

Exercise Physiology

Learn essential scientific insights into how the human body responds and adjusts to the demands of physical activity.

Start date

24 June 2026

Price

$1,655 USD

Installment Plan

96%

Student Satisfaction

Cohort-based learning

Group learning, expert guidance

6 weeks

Excluding orientation

English

Access resources from start date

7–10 hours per week

Self-paced learning online

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Course overview

The number of cancers that show a proven reduction in risk when recommended physical activity guidelines are met.

Journal of Clinical Oncology (Dec, 2019).

31%

The reduced risk of early mortality when exercising at a moderate intensity of 150 to 750 minutes per week.

The BMJ (Jun, 2019).

Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)

Regular exercise can alleviate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression and manage various diseases. However, according to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, only one in four Americans meets the recommended levels of physical activity.¹

The Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), part of Stanford Medicine, offers the Exercise Physiology online short course. It is designed to teach you the fundamentals of physiology and enhance their scientific knowledge of exercise and wellness. Over six weeks, you’ll explore the impact of physical activity on aging and overall health and learn how to evaluate training programs and suggest improvements for physical environments.

¹ National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Sep, 2019).

Is this course for you?

This course is suitable for professionals in the healthcare and wellness sectors who are interested in enhancing their understanding of exercise physiology. Learners will explore effective methods for improving individual health and athletic performance, regardless of age, by examining how different bodies respond to and adapt to exercise. Healthcare professionals will gain an understanding of how physical activity can aid in disease management. The course will also equip wellness industry professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to assist customers and patients in achieving their fitness objectives, such as weight loss, increased physical strength, improved performance, or healthy aging.

Course overview

Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)

¹ National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Sep, 2019).

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Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.

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What will set you apart

On completion of this course, you’ll walk away with:

An understanding of how the body reacts and adapts to exercise, and ideas on how to enhance movement opportunities in the modern world.

Insights into how exercise can affect health and slow the trajectory of aging.

The knowledge of how physical performance is affected by environmental stressors.

The ability to provide input and feedback on tailored training regimes.

Unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.

Course curriculum

Explore how the body responds and adjusts to physical exercise while progressing through the weekly modules of this online short course.

Orientation module

Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1

Exercise physiology essentials

Module 2

Physical activity across the lifespan

Module 3

Health, disease, and physical activity

Module 4

Environmental stressors and performance

Module 5

Exercise for the individual

Module 6

Designing systems for wellness

Academic Director

The design of this online short course is guided by SCHE faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.

Anne Friedlander

Associate Director of Stanford Lifestyle Medicine as well as an Adjunct Professor in Human Biology

About the certificate

Acquire an in-depth understanding of exercise physiology and earn an official certificate of completion from Stanford Center for Health Education.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with your digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your digital certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you upon successful completion of the course, as per the stipulated requirements.

Stanford Exercise Physiology online short course certificate

YOUR INFORMATION

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Answer a few questions and get more information about the course.

FAQ

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The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.

On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.

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