Opportunities for Undergraduate Research in Exercise Science

Key Takeaways

Undergraduate research in exercise science includes lab experiments, field studies, and cross-disciplinary projects.
Colleges offer research programs, internships, and courses to support student research in exercise science.
Research opportunities cover topics like exercise physiology, biomechanics, and health promotion.
Benefits include deeper learning, skill acquisition, professional development, and personal satisfaction.
To participate, search for opportunities, contact faculty, write a research statement, apply, and share your work.

Basic and applied research in the exercise sciences is the foundation of our field. It stimulates innovation and advances our knowledge of human biology and medicine. As an undergraduate exercise science major, participation in research provides you with an excellent opportunity to be part of impactful endeavors and to enrich your academic and future professional experiences. In this post, we will cover everything you need to know to identify, pursue, and advantageously participate in undergraduate research in the exercise sciences, including funding, internships, and the impact of participating in research.

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Undergraduate Research in Exercise Science

Undergraduate research in the exercise sciences includes any scholarly pursuit focused on the study of human locomotion, physical activity, and/or health. In these endeavors, students will directly engage in ongoing or new research projects under faculty guidance to gain experience in the full spectrum of scientific inquiry, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Participation in research allows you to think critically, strengthen problem-solving skills, and apply and deepen your understanding of theoretical concepts.

Common types of research projects undergraduates can participate in include:

Laboratory experiments: Controlled trials designed to quantify physiological outcomes in response to some exercise stimulus, test fitness variables, or validate the effectiveness of some intervention.
Field studies: Observational data collection and/or intervention in naturalistic settings like community recreation centers, fitness facilities, or clinical/medical settings aimed to understand the relationship between physical activity and health-related outcomes.
Cross-disciplinary collaborations: Working with faculty members conducting research in complementary fields like psychology, nutrition, biomechanics, and more to tackle multidisciplinary research questions at the interface of the exercise sciences and related disciplines.

Exercise Science Research Programs

Many colleges and universities have dedicated programs or offerings aimed at supporting undergraduate exercise science research. These offerings allow students to take advantage of facilities, use cutting-edge equipment, and receive expert guidance from faculty mentors. As you consider research programs, there are many factors to include in your decision-making process, including faculty expertise, available facilities and equipment, funding, and how the experience aligns with your interests and professional goals.

Structured research experiences may include summer research internships, honors thesis projects, or courses like independent study that allow you to devote time and energy to research pursuits while receiving academic credit. Some programs may also collaborate with external partners like hospitals, fitness facilities, sports teams, or government and public health agencies to develop research opportunities that allow you to translate your findings to practical, real-world applications.

Research Opportunities in Exercise Science

Research in the exercise sciences is multidimensional and broadly encompasses any topic relevant to human locomotion, physical activity, and health. Accordingly, there are myriad opportunities for students to engage in research projects that cut across domains including those in:

Exercise physiology: Basic and applied investigations of physiological outcomes in response to acute and chronic exercise stimuli, understanding the mechanisms of training adaptation, and/or the impacts of exercise on human metabolism.
Biomechanics: The study of human movement patterns, assessment of musculoskeletal function, and/or the design of equipment and technology to improve performance and reduce injury risk.
Health promotion: The design and testing of interventions to increase physical activity, prevent excessive sedentarity, or reduce health disparities in diverse and vulnerable populations.

Some examples of relevant topics or actual undergraduate research projects include:

The acute and chronic effects of high intensity interval exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in inactive adults.
The outcomes of a exercise-based intervention on cognitive outcomes and academic performance in children.
The validity of wearable activity trackers to assess physical activity and enhance behavioral change in older adults.

Benefits of Research in Exercise Science

Participation in research provides undergraduate exercise science students with academic and professional advantages. Some of the most notable benefits include:

Deeper academic learning: Participation in research allows students to more fully understand and apply theoretical concepts to practical, real-world problems. In other words, you learn by doing.
Skill acquisition: Through research, you will develop valuable critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills as you work through complex research questions, formulate study designs, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions.
Professional development: Participation in research provides valuable experience and makes students more competitive for graduate school admissions, scholarships, internships, and jobs in academia, research institutes, hospitals/clinical settings, and industry.
Personal satisfaction: Being part of impactful endeavors gives you a sense of purpose and accomplishment that will inspire you to pursue a career doing something you love with people you admire.

Participating in Exercise Science Research

If you are interested in participating in exercise science research, follow the steps below.

Search available research opportunities: Browse departmental websites, faculty pages, and research databases to understand the types of projects being conducted and by whom (your potential mentors).
Contact faculty members: Reach out to faculty members whose research matches your interests and tell them you are interested in getting involved.
Write a research statement: Prepare a brief statement including your research interests, relevant coursework and/or experience, and why you want to pursue research.
Apply for positions: Apply via application or proposal for positions like research assistant, volunteer, or independent study within your department or research program.
Pursue research: Upon acceptance to the research position, engage research activities, attend research meetings, collect and analyze data, and contribute to project discussions and presentations.
Request feedback and guidance: To improve your research skills, troubleshoot problems, and increase the quality of your projects, request feedback from faculty mentors, peers, and research advisors.
Share your work: Communicate your findings by presenting at conferences, poster sessions, or publishing peer-reviewed journal articles to expand the scientific knowledge base and gain recognition for your contributions.

Exercise Science Student Research

Case studies of current or former students who have successfully completed research projects can help you understand how participating in research may impact your academic and professional experiences. These examples illustrate the breadth of undergraduate researcher experiences in the exercise sciences and demonstrate how participating in research has shaped their career paths and personal development.

Exercise Science Research Grants

Grants and funding opportunities specifically targeted towards undergraduate students can provide financial support for research projects, conference travel, and other related expenses. You can search funding opportunities via your institutional research office, departmental websites, professional organizations, and external grant agencies.

When applying for grant funding for research, students should consider application instructions, deadlines, and eligibility. To increase their likelihood of success, students should consult with faculty members or research advisors to develop and review grant proposals.

Exercise Science Research Internships

Research internships provide undergraduate students with practical opportunities to engage in research activities and gain experience in exercise science laboratories, and clinical settings. Through these experiences, students gain invaluable exposure to research techniques and instrumentation, data collection and analysis, and professional practices in the exercise sciences. Research internships allow students to supplement their academic training, develop practical research skills, and form relationships with researchers and exercise science professionals that will prepare them for future career endeavors.

Conclusion

Undergraduate research in the exercise sciences provides students with a transformative learning experience that allows them to participate in scientific inquiry, develop valuable skills, and become more competitive for impactful careers in academia, research, medicine/healthcare, and industry. By participating in research projects, undergraduate students can further their understanding of human biology and medicine, develop critical thinking skills, and gain experience that empowers them to tackle complex problems and make contributions that benefit society.

What to do next:

For undergraduate students, there are steps that can be taken to explore and take advantage of research opportunities in exercise science. These include:

Seek out university research coordinators, faculty mentors, or departmental Advisors to talk about research and related support services.
Look into departmental resources, research programs, and undergraduate researcher funding opportunities.
Participate in related academic conferences, seminars, and workshops.
Seek out and apply for research positions, internships, grants, and other related opportunities that match interests and career aspirations. Students use their research experiences to inform their academic and professional choices.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Exercise Science