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Dear Exercise Physiologists,
Thank you for being part of our community. ASEP is the specific voice for (historically under-represented) Exercise Physiologists.
Please use this Newsletter as a link to ASEP resources from scientific
journals to professional papers, to employment and related
opportunities. And be sure to click on "More On Us" at the left for the
ASEP-newsletter's parent web site.
-Lonnie Lowery and Jonathan Mike, ASEP-Newsletter Editors |
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Editor's Corner |
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 Characteristics of Successful Exercise Physiologists
You can't stop people from thinking - but you can start them. --FRANK A. DUSCH
Occasionally, it crosses my mind that exercise physiologists aren't thinking what it takes to be successful. Of course, every exercise physiologist should be Board Certified through the American Society of Exercise Physiologists. The
mindset of all professionals should be centered on professionalism and
credibility. Hence, from the ASEP perspective, consider what a successful exercise physiologists means:
- Character-Based
Credible exercise physiologists
are character-based, meaning they do the right things for the right
reasons. They are honorable healthcare professionals with high ethical
standards and great integrity. They tell the truth to their clients,
and they conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. - Competent
Successful exercise
physiologists are competent. That is why they seek out an accredited
exercise physiology program so that they will graduate with a thorough
understanding of the scientific evidence that undergirds exercise as
medicine. They know how to develop safe exercise prescriptions that
produce positive and progressive changes in the client's state of mind
and body. This is also why they are continually looking for
innovative ways of empowering their clients. - Commitment
As lifelong students of
healthcare and lifestyle, they are credible exercise physiologists who
are highly committed members of the American Society of Exercise
Physiologists. They understand the importance of the ASEP vision, and
the ASEP leadership's willingness to put in the time required to make
the Society as "the" professional organization of exercise
physiologists. Hence, it is more than reasonable to conclude that they
have a true passion for exercise physiology, healthcare, and
athletics. They also have incredible reserves of energy and resiliency
which enables them to weather the storms of politics, indifference, and
adversity. - Accountable
Credible exercise
physiologists are also accountable. They sincerely want the public to
know they are accountable to the ASEP Code of Ethics and Standards of
Practice. That is why they invested the time to get the best
education. Further, this concern for a solid scientific education
carries over into their hands-on laboratory skills. - Standards
Board Certified exercise
physiologists build confidence in their clients and colleagues. They
help others to understand that exercise is important to good mental and
physical health. They set high standards for themselves and their
clients while being patient in helping others develop and improve. - Communicator
Credible exercise
physiologists are excellent communicators. They are honest and direct
when communicating with clients and colleagues. They continually
remind and refocus clients and athletes on what they need to do to be
successful. - Proactive
Because of their ability to
listen, credible exercise physiologists are aware of the present-day
concerns and conflicts pertaining to professional development, and they
act proactively in dealing with their problems and challenges. - Professional Philosophy
Board Certified
exercise physiologists have a sound philosophy of professionalism, the
need for accountability, critical thinking, and scientific research.
Their thinking is stable, engaging, and flexible. Being a credible
exercise physiologist is certainly a challenging task, but it's not
impossible.
If you are willing to change your thinking, you can start to think
about Board Certification, accountability, and success. If you
consider what it takes to be a successful exercise physiologist, you
can change your future. And changing your future - based on this
thinking - can change the profession of exercise physiology as well as
those who are part of it.
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP, EPC
The College of St.Scholastica
Department of Exercise Physiology
Duluth, MN 55811 |
| Ask the EP |
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| Q. Dear
"EP", could you briefly describe and give some possible mechanisms
involved with the aging process, specifically on skeletal muscle mass?
A. Aging
involves a diminished capacity to regulate the internal environment. In
other words, physiological control mechanisms do not work as well in
old people. Various physiological, cellular, and genetics factors
also influence the aging process such as decreased cardiovascular and
respiratory changes, problems associated with cell division, and
abnormalities in genetic function of cells. Therefore, it is imperative
to gain a thorough understanding of the effects of senescence on
skeletal muscle mass.
There has been considerable research in
recent years on aging and physical activity and exercise. This topic is
of particular concern to students of exercise physiology because aging
represents a large percentage of the population as students are very
likely to have interaction among these individuals. The average age of the American population is 36 years, which is up from 33 years in 1990.
By 2030, 70 million people in the United States will be 65 years of age
or older, and the group of people aged 85 and older will be the fastest
growing segment of the population. By 2050, the average life expectancy
of Americans will be 84.3 and 79.7 years for women and men,
respectively. (Dechenes 2004).
Aging has been associated with a loss of muscle mass that is referred to as 'sarcopenia'.
This decrease in muscle tissue begins around the age of 50 years, but
becomes more dramatic beyond the 60th year of life. Loss of muscle mass
among the aged directly results in diminished muscle function.
Decreased strength and power contribute to the high incidence of
accidental falls observed among the elderly and can compromise quality
of life. Moreover, sarcopenia has been linked to several chronic
afflictions that are common among the aged, including osteoporosis,
insulin resistance and arthritis. Loss of muscle fiber number is the principal cause of sarcopenia, although fiber atrophy - particularly among type II fibers - is also involved. Several physiological mechanisms have been implicated in the development of sarcopenia (Table 1).
Denervation results in the loss of motor units and thus, muscle fibers.
A decrease in the production of anabolic hormones such as testosterone,
growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 impairs the capacity of
skeletal muscle to incorporate amino acids and synthesize proteins. An
increase in the release of catabolic agents, specifically
interleukin-6, amplifies the rate of muscle wasting among the elderly.
Given the demographic trends evident in most western societies,( i.e.
increased number of those considered aged ), management interventions
for sarcopenia must become a major goal of the healthcare profession.
Table 1. Physiological mechanisms involved in sarcopenia
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- Denervation Apoptosis of muscle fibers, re-innervation of surviving fibers
- Decreased density and function of mitochondria
- Decreased ATP production, reduced muscle protein synthesis
- Decreased mRNA transcript content
- Decreased mitochondrial proteins, myofibrillar proteins
- Decreased circulating testosterone
- Decreased muscle protein accretion Decreased circulating growth hormone .
- Decreased muscle protein accretion
- Decreased circulating IGF-1 Increased rate of muscle protein degradation
- Decreased number of satellite cells
- Decreased muscle fiber size
- Decreased proliferation of satellite cells. Decreased capacity for repair from normal 'wear and tear' muscle damage
- Decreased autocrine synthesis of MGF.
- Decreased
proliferative capacity of satellite cells Inflammation, increased
production of IL-6 Increased rate of muscle protein degradation
---------------------------------------------------
ATP
= adenosine triphosphate; IGF-1 = insulin-like growth factor-1; IL-6 =
interleukin-6; MGF = mechanogrowth factor; mRNA = messenger RNA.
**
Adapted from: Deschenes, Michael R. Effects of Aging on Muscle Fibre
Type and Size. Sports Medicine. 34(12):809-824, 2004.
~Jonathan Mike, CSCS,
Doctoral Student, Assistant Editor |
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Opportunities Related to Exercise Physiology
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The Department of Kinesiology at the University of New Hampshire...
is currently seeking applicants for a tenure track appointment in
Exercise Science at the Assistant or Associate Professor level. ...more information...
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Thank you for perusing our opinions, facts and opportunities in this edition of the ASEP-Newsletter.
Sincerely,
Lonnie Lowery
American Society of Exercise Physiologists |
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