1. 1889.   First published textbook on exercise physiology by  Fernand LaGrange,
    Physiology of bodily exercise.

2. Late 1800's. Theories existed in the late 1800's which provided insight into the source of energy for muscle contraction.  It was known that heat production was related to muscular contraction.

3. Early 1900's.  Fletcher and Hopkins (1907) found a close relationship between amphibian muscle action and lactate formation (J. Physiology, V35, pp247-254).  Therefore, it was realized that energy for muscle contraction came from the breakdown of muscle glycogen
(glycogen--->lactic acid)

4.In 1921, A.V. Hill received the Nobel Prize for work in energy metabolism.. Hill conducted some of the first physiological studies on runners.  Technical assistence was given by John Haldane. Haldane developed methods and techniques for measuring oxygen consumption.
At about the same time the following individuals was busy providing a framework for understanding whole body energy production: A.S. Gorgyi; O. Meyerhof;  August Krogh (August Krogh Institute for Physiology in Denmark), and Hans Krebs (Krebs Cycle).

5. 1927-1947.   The Harvard Fatique Laboratory (HFL)was founded in 1927 (1927-1947) by  L.J. Henderson, a famous biochemist.   The lab was directed by D.B. Dill (biochemist from Stanford). The lab examined the physiology of endurance exercise, effects of environment (i.e., altitude, heat) on human performance, studies on exercise and aging were first conducted in 1939 by Sid Robinson a the HFL (aging vs maximum HR and maximal aerobic power).  During a 20 year period, the HFL produced 300 plus scientific publications, and attracted scholars from 15 nations.  Most of the visiting scholars went on to establish their own labs.

6. The Scandinavian Influence.  D.B. Dill, the director of the HFL, had a working contact with August Krogh, a Danish Nobel Prize Winner.  Krogh help send Erik Hohwu-Christensen, Erling Asmussen, and Marius Nielsen to the HFL.  These individuals conducted environmental studies (heat and high altitude) while at the HFL.

After their HFL experience, Asmussen and Nielsen became professors at the University of Copenhagen.  Asmussen studied mechanical properties of muscle while Nielsen studied body temperature control.

Hohwu-Christensen moved to Stockholm (from Denmark) and became the first physiology professor at The College of Physical Education (Gymnastik-och Idfrottshogskolan, also called the GIH Institude).  Hohwu-Christensen conducted studies on carbohydrate and fat metabolism during exercise.  These studies were considered the first and most important sport nutrition investigations.

Hohwu-Christensen introduced Per-Olof Astrand to exercise physiology.  Astrand conducted research in physical fitness and endurance capacity during the 1950'2 and 1960's.  Astrand also became director of the GIH institue after Hohwu-Christensen retired in 1960.
Astrand and Hohwu Christensen were also mentors of Bengt-Saltin.  Saltin has conducted numerous studies in muscle metabolism during exercise.  Hohwu-Christensen and Astrand also interacted with physiologists at the Karolinska Instistute  (a Medical Institute)  in Stockholm, Sweden.

7.  Mid 1960's.  In the mid 1960's , Dr. David Costill was hired by Ball State University, located in Muncie, Indiana,  to begin an exercise physiology laboratory.  Since the mid 1960's. Dr. Costill and his graduate students have published 100's of articles in many facets of exercise physiology.

8.  1960's, 70's, 80's, 90's.  A few individuals who have made a contribution to the field of exercise physiology over the last 30 years.

Lars Hermansen.  Work Physiology Institute, Oslo, Norway.
Examined the effects of exercise on muscular adaptations.  Worked on quantifying anaerobic energy release during exercise and the effects of exercise training on anaerobic capacity.
Phil Gollnick. Veterinary Medical School. Washington State University.
Studied muscular adaptations to exercise training. Special emphasis on
muscle fiber typing (slow and fast twitch fibers), and exercise biochemistry.
Jack Wilmore.  University of Texas, Austin.
Body composition and fitness.
George Brooks.  University of California, Berkeley.
Known for his work on lactic acid production and clearance during exercise.
Eddie Coyle.  University of Texas, Austin.
Cardiovascular responses to exercise training.
Efficiency of human movement during cycling.
Bill Evans.  Pennsylvania State University.
The effects of exercise on the older adult.
David Lamb.  The Ohio State University.
Known for his editorial work in exercise physiology.
Barbara Drinkwater.  Pacific Medical Center (?). Seattle, Washington.
Osteoporosis and eating disorders in female athletes.
Priscilla Clarkson.  University of Massachusetts.
Exercise and Muscle damage.
Steven Blair.  Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, Dallas, Texas.
Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease.