In the United States, exercise rehabilitation originated under the term ‘physical medicine and rehabilitation’ as a medical specialty with a focus on enhancing and restoring the functional capabilities and QoL for individuals with physical disabilities. This field of medicine aims to improve the physical, psychological, and social well-being of patients through comprehensive rehabilitation programs. The goal is to help individuals achieve their maximum potential and regain independence in daily activities through various therapeutic interventions, including exercise, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other modalities. The emphasis is on optimizing functional abilities, promoting mobility, managing pain, and enhancing overall QoL for individuals with physical impairments. In the early to mid-20th century, two unofficial specialties, physical medicine and rehabilitation medicine, began to emerge as separate disciplines within the field of medicine. While they were distinct in name, in practice, both specialties shared a common focus on providing care to individuals with disabling injuries or conditions. Physical medicine primarily focused on the diagnosis and management of physical disabilities and impairments, utilizing various therapeutic modalities, such as exercise, physical agents (heat, cold, electricity), and assistive devices. Rehabilitation medicine, on the other hand, had a broader scope that encompassed not only the physical aspects but also the comprehensive management of disabilities. Rehabilitation medicine incorporated physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other interventions to address the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of disability. Although these two specialties had some differences in terms of their focus and approaches, in practice, their patient populations often overlapped. Both physical medicine and rehabilitation medicine aimed to provide comprehensive care and improve the well-being of individuals with disabling injuries or conditions, regardless of the specific disciplinary label. Over time, these specialties have evolved and become more integrated, and in many healthcare systems, they are now considered as a single specialty known as physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R).

Dr. Krusen played a significant role in the field of physical medicine, particularly in the utilization of physical agents. He initially practiced at Temple University and later at Mayo Clinic. In 1938, Dr. Krusen coined the term ‘physiatry’ to describe this specialty. Dr. Rusk, an internal medicine physician, became a pioneer of rehabilitation medicine during World War II when he was appointed to rehabilitate airmen. His contributions in this area were significant. In 1944, the Baruch Committee, commissioned by Bernard Baruch, defined the specialty as a combination of PM&R medicine. This committee’s work provided the foundation for the acceptance of physiatry as an official medical specialty. The specialty that is now recognized as PM&R in the United States was formally established in 1947. During this time, an independent Board of Physical Medicine was created under the jurisdiction of the American Board of Medical Specialties. However, it was in 1949, influenced by the advocacy of Dr. Rusk and other professionals, that the specialty expanded to include rehabilitation medicine and adopted the name ‘PM&R’ (Dillingham, 2022). This change reflected the growing recognition and integration of rehabilitation principles within the field.

As technological advancements continue to progress across different domains, the quality of human life is experiencing positive transformations. In recent times, society has entered a phase of technological revolution, where metaverse technology holds a central position in driving these changes. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly impact exercise rehabilitation in several ways:

Apart from the previously mentioned points, exercise rehabilitation is expected to witness the emergence of additional elements that will be integrated with future technologies. These advancements will be harnessed to further enhance the field of exercise rehabilitation. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that, for the time being, while AI possesses significant potential, its role should be one of complementing the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals, rather than replacing them. Human oversight and interpretation are crucial to ensure the ethical use of AI, patient safety, and the delivery of personalized and patient-centered care.