BY ANDREW FAUGHT

A LIFELONG ATHLETE, Assistant Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy Emily Lundstrom has always been passionate about the role of teaching and research in expanding the understanding of exercise physiology and sport science. Lundstrom was drawn to USC for her ability to do both, in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment. “It’s the perfect fit,” she says.

Lundstrom teaches cellular and systems physiology for the DPT program, and she co-teaches a sport science course in the master’s of biokinesiology program. Lundstrom’s research focuses on energy availability and nutrition, metabolic and endocrine function, and their impact on training adaptations and athletic performance. “I hope my students walk away with a deeper appreciation for how understanding physiology can empower them to help others — and themselves — to live and perform better,” she says.

1. Lundstrom is a champion for exercise physiology.

Lundstrom was a high school all-American in swimming and a state champion in weightlifting in her native Minnesota. She went on to swim at the University of South Dakota — in freestyle and butterfly — where she became obsessed with training and performance. That obsession had consequences. “I became overtrained and experienced symptoms of the female athlete triad [typically characterized by low energy, menstrual dysfunction and low bone density], which derailed my athletic goals. That experience motivated me to study physiology in depth — particularly recovery and training adaptation — and to help others avoid the same outcome.”

2. She researches the impacts of cutting-edge technologies on training and wellness.

They include wearable devices and training tools, which together aid in assessing physiological responses, adaptations and recovery. “These technologies help us better understand how stress, energy and recovery impact performance, in addition to providing understanding of how we can apply them in both science, and in sport-training situations. They allow us to make training more individualized and effective than ever before.”

3. She aims to be an athlete’s best friend.

“There’s often a gap between academic research and its practical use in sport. I’m working to close that gap by integrating science directly into team environments.” As a volunteer assistant coach for Penn State’s swimming a diving team — and now collaborating with teams at USC — Lundstrom is familiarizing coaches and athletes with wearables and testing protocols that help teams adjust training sessions in real time. “One challenge is making complex data accessible and actionable. My most impactful work has been implementing these tools to support performance and recovery strategies in real-world sport environments.”

4. She is lifelong exerciser.

A veteran of numerous triathlons, Lundstrom is an endurance-hybrid athlete who thrills to physical challenges. She runs regularly and lifts weights daily, including power work one to two times a week. Understanding exercise physiology is key. “Endurance athletes have unique physical therapy needs, especially regarding energy availability, recovery, and injury prevention.”

5. She still feels like a kid who can’t sit still.

Away from work, Lundstrom nurtures interests that embrace the physical and the cerebral. “I love to play and stay curious, whether through travel, outdoor activities like surfing or hiking, or artistic hobbies like photography, drawing and painting. I think creativity and movement are both important for joy and balance, and they influence how I approach both science and life. I’m still just a kid who can’t sit still.”