The powerful, biological actions of exercise are not fully understood; thus, treatment optimization for specific disorders or risk factors is simply not possible without advancing the field.  This presents exciting research opportunities as well as unparalleled challenges.  The primary research of the UAB CEM is to cultivate novel, interdisciplinary research approaches that will form the biological basis for exercise treatment strategies that can improve chronic conditions, prevent diseases, accelerate rehabilitation, and establish guidelines for health and fitness across generations.