Strategic Initiative Fund (SIF)

The Exercise Oncology Initiative (EOI)

The Exercise Oncology Initiative (EOI) is an interdisciplinary partnership between the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology, Rogel Cancer Center, and the College of Health Sciences at UM-Flint, pioneering an integrated research and education framework to meet the urgent demand for specialized exercise oncology professionals. Its goal is to position U-M as a national leader in exercise oncology by creating the first training pathway for professionals who can deliver evidence-based exercise support to cancer patients and survivors, responding to growing evidence that exercise can reduce cancer risk, improve treatment outcomes, and support survivorship.

The project combines hands-on education with integrated clinical research experience. A central aim is to establish a Rackham-approved Graduate Certificate in Exercise Oncology; students will gain practical experience through clinical rotations at Rogel and UM-Flint, helping deliver exercise support to patients while preparing for careers in oncology care, rehabilitation, and research. EOI will also support ongoing efforts to build centralized infrastructure to support exercise oncology research across U-M and Michigan.

Through hands-on clinical and research training, the initiative will develop a skilled workforce to transform cancer care across Michigan and beyond. Expected outcomes include a new graduate credential, a trained workforce of exercise oncology professionals, improved clinical trial infrastructure, trainee support for delivering exercise to 500 patients across studies, and expanded access to evidence-based exercise support for cancer patients and survivors statewide.