Medical Exercise Physiology at Loma Linda University School of Medicine

We examined the current state and propose a future direction for medical exercise physiology education at Loma Linda University School of Medicine (LLUSM). We reviewed the existing preclinical and clinical medical curriculum, identified gaps, and formulated enhancements to align with recent consensus statements on exercise education in medical schools. Our unique approach builds upon our strong foundation in lifestyle medicine, integrating exercise physiology into a broader context of preventive and holistic healthcare. The analysis reveals that LLUSM dedicates 21 hours to exercise within its 113-hour lifestyle medicine core, supplemented by additional elective opportunities. The curriculum covers exercise effects on biochemical processes, physiological systems, and its role in disease prevention and treatment. However, gaps exist in exercise assessment and prescription skills, particularly in clinical years. To address these gaps, we propose developing a coordinated exercise thread across pre-clinical and clinical years. This includes introducing an early exercise physiology lecture, expanding exercise content in system-based pre-clinical blocks, and enhancing clinical year focus on exercise assessment and prescription. The proposed curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to confidently counsel patients on physical activity and prescribe exercise for both preventive and therapeutic purposes. We highlight the potential of this enhanced curriculum to improve students' understanding of exercise physiology, its clinical applications, and its impact on patient wellness. By integrating exercise education throughout the medical curriculum, LLUSM aims to produce physicians who can effectively leverage physical activity as a powerful tool in healthcare delivery. EY, BB, and SP were Lifestyle Medicine Track Summer Research Fellows. This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2025 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.