Exercise physiology is the branch of physiology that studies how the body adapts to physical movement. It was believed to have originated in ancient Greece, by Herodicus and Galen, respectively.

Topics studied in exercise physiology include, human energy transfer, human energy expenditure, evaluation of energy-generating capacities, the pulmonary system, the cardiovascular system, the neuromuscular system, hormones, training methods, environmental effects on physiology, and ergogenic aids.