PEPonline
Professionalization
of Exercise Physiologyonline

An international electronic
journal for exercise physiologists
ISSN 1099-5862

Vol 4 No 4 April 2001

 

If We Just Listen, We Will Know What to Do!
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP, EPC
Professor and Chair 
Department of Exercise Physiolgoy
College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811

"It seems to me that the ultimate purpose of an organization is not, or should not be, simply to make money or to have more members than other organizations.  Nor is it merely a system of developing and selling certifications.  The promise of an organization is to increase the personal and professional well being of its members through service, ethical standards and conduct, and professionalism." – William T. Boone, Jr
IN TODAY'S WORLD, there are a plethora of organizations from which a person can choose.  This in turn creates considerable competition among organizations, forcing some to resort to aggressive tactics to attract members.  It is little wonder, then, that some organizations will offer certifications essentially for payment.  Most undergraduate students understand the differences in such certifications.  It is not difficult to locate the “weekend certifications”.  The Internet is full of them.  Fortunately, the ASEP certification of exercise physiologists is an aggressive certification that isn’t being sold but earned.  I find it a refreshing option, and a change that is needed. 

Time has proven that many exercise physiologists have come to understand that the importance of a strong academic preparation in exercise physiology is invaluable in breaking from the barriers of tradition.  In the past, which is still true with some popular organizations, members of the profession were (and still are) certified as “something other” than the title, exercise physiologist.  Yet, these same professionals frequently refer to themselves as exercise physiologists and not according to the title of their certification.  It is a crafty way of not building the necessary underlying academic structure to certify exercise physiologists, but rather to build an organization's financial base.

As mentioned earlier, organizations should serve the members, not serve themselves.  For several years, I have written about the ASEP organization, the importance of exercise physiology professionalism, the necessity for a code of ethics, the fact that we have not had a standards of professional practice, what I refer to as the new exercise physiology, certification specifically for exercise physiologists, and academic accreditation to mention a few major areas of interests.  The PEPonline journal is the only journal of its kind, either via the Internet or print copy.  It is designed to assist exercise physiologists in aligning their beliefs and behaviors with the new emerging exercise physiology professionalism.  For me, being an ASEP member is the only way to take responsibility to honor exercise physiologists worldwide.  It is my communication with those who find the time to read the electronic articles and, until now, for me at least, one of several ways I’ve chosen to take responsibility in developing the profession.

I believe anyone interested in exercise physiology professionalism, as well as in member service, will benefit from joining ASEP.  Members deserve to be respected.  I believe this so much that just several years ago I started writing about a new vision for exercise physiology, but not by purpose.  In fact, it began only because of concern for my undergraduate students where I teach.  After just one year as Chair of the Department of Exercise Physiology, I knew the academic degree in exercise physiology was unique and my students were paying a considerable sum of money for it ($70,000 to $80,000).  I even designed a master’s degree in exercise physiology to increase job opportunities and financial stability.  The Chair position allowed me to create my own view of exercise physiology, and the freedom to experiment left me knowing exactly what needed to be done. 

I knew that we needed our own professional organization.  Every other professional has his or her own organization.  The list is a long one, but a few examples include professional organizations for sports biomechanists, sports psychologists, sports managers, exercise immunologists, and athletic trainers to mention the obvious.  Something had to be done for exercise physiologists who wanted to step out from under the sports medicine umbrella.  Fortunately, there are professionals who understand that ASEP exists because there is a need for it.  However, the simple truth is, you can’t make an organization happen without people who want it, and who understand it.

I had to try with whatever resources I could access to make a difference.  None of this bothered me except that I did have a sense of challenge.  I remember speaking with several colleagues.  I remember discussing possibilities and obstacles, in particular, with Dr. Robert Robergs of the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.  His help has been a major reason for the success of ASEP.  His efforts at putting together two ASEP national meetings have helped to create and sustain the understanding that the ASEP goal is to serve its members.  Without members in the ASEP professional equation, we don’t have a leg to stand on.  Service is the goal.  So, in my office, I went to work creating an ASEP web page without knowing anything about editing web pages.  As you can imagine, I felt seriously limited, if not stupid.  In the beginning, I didn’t have any idea about the work involved. One day I’m doing my regular job and the next day and the day after it got busier and busier with ASEP.  I began knowing the work that my colleagues have been doing for years.  I began believing in the possibility of a new exercise physiology.  But, to this day, I could have never imagined the effort that it takes to be creative and persistent.  To be honest, it is a bit of a shock. 

To change the way exercise physiologists think about what they do, to sell the ASEP commitment to professionalism, we must collectively take on a new belief about our title, how we define what we do, and we must work to understand our responsibility in building trustworthy relationships.  My job, along with other ASEP members, is to help insure that the organization’s website and policies are congruent and consistent with the needs of exercise physiologists.  In fact, from the beginning, the idea for a new organization resulted from exercise physiologists in the field who expressed concerns about the lack of organizational support and professional credentials.  They recognized that something important was missing.  Most believed it was licensure, especially those who worked in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.  Some were working at different solutions, but none had explored the possibility of a new organization.

Most exercise physiologists at the time did not get the full view of the problem.  They felt that licensure, as an example, would correct everything.  The problem, however, was not (and still isn’t) licensure per se, but rather the lack of understanding that nothing had been put in place to build the profession of exercise physiology.  People worked as exercise physiologists, called themselves exercise physiologists, but without a professional organization or an understanding of the criteria for becoming a profession.  Status quo was the accepted way of thinking.  It is still the way for many because, in reality, it is always easier.  Change is work.  Understanding the reasons for change requires a departure from the groupthink that works to keep thinking as one.  The problem is that there is no way of knowing which thinking is better without taking the time to consider what needs to change.  I’ve listened to a lot of non-PhD exercise physiologists.  I think I know how they feel, the hardships they face, and feeling of being left behind.  The solution is listening to the exercise physiologists who have the answers for correcting their problems. 

If we just listen, we can hear them saying “We are professionals and we want our own professional organization.”  I learned that exercise physiology as a discipline isn’t enough.  I learned also that being a member of a discipline falls short of being a member of a profession.  I learned that thinking differently is disruptive to the status quo, and that change takes time, persistent, and faith.  Change itself begins with seeking satisfaction for one’s work, and in realizing that if a person wants to be some place different, then he or she must figure out how to get there.  People seek solutions when they want to change, when they want respect and, simply, when they want something different from what has been.  It is important, therefore, that ASEP members listen to exercise physiologists in the field.  They will inform us of what we need to be doing, how to do it, and when it should be done. 

In order for exercise physiologists to trust ASEP, to develop a professional relationship with it and its members, to feel that they have a place to be heard, they must understand that we exists for them.  We need to find better ways to communicate our support for all exercise physiologists.  Every move to update the web site, every strategy used to get attention, and every article published via PEPonline must be evaluated for its effectiveness, or the lack of it to avoid missing the opportunity to communicate correctly.  It should be apparent that creating a shift in thinking is a two-way street.  After all, just because ASEP exists doesn’t mean the message is being received.  We must figure out what potential members need to hear from ASEP to help them make more sense of why they should join.  As members of ASEP, we must take the responsibility to make sure we speak in a way we are heard. 

This point is an important one.  We can’t just expect that because a professional organization now exists for exercise physiologists, everyone will naturally support it.  We must help others discover why ASEP is right, why it is a realistic and desirable future.  The key to gaining widespread commitment to the new ASEP vision, therefore, is to present the organization in such a way that exercise physiologists will want to participate and will freely choose to do so.  Where possible and appropriate, ASEP members should discuss the vision with other exercise physiologists in terms that address their own legitimate concerns and interests.  This means connecting with the exercise physiologist at Gold’s Gym or the YMCA, finding a common thread that connects with the exercise physiologist who is directing cardiac rehab in your city, seeking out the opportunity to meet with exercise physiologists who teach at the college level in a way that makes sense with their own deepest feelings about what is right and worth doing.

Quite simply, ASEP members are trying to deal with the future.  It is about a vision that is realistic and attractive for all exercise physiologists.  It is a special kind of dream built upon values, standards, information, and knowledge to shape the emerging profession. Indeed, the idea requires that we think clearly about solving problems by providing a professional organization that conveys an understanding of reality and constructive change.  It requires getting everyone involved, and in giving everyone the opportunity to contribute to the professionalization of exercise physiology.

“The definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results.  Think smarter, not harder.” – Gerald Nadler and Shozo Hibino in Breakthrough Thinking 
It’s up to you, me, and everyone who really cares about the emerging profession more so than caring about our resumes.  What matters, according to William T. Boone, Jr., is “treating exercise physiologists with respect.”  ASEP members believe that exercise physiologists want to be treated and recognized as professionals. By showing respect for what they do, they learn to feel good about themselves.  In short, their concerns are our concerns.  We are in this together to create a better, more positive environment for increased cooperation, growth, and opportunity.  Today is just the beginning and an excellent one at that.  But, it is important that we listen to all exercise physiologists (especially the non-PhD exercise physiologists), work to understand their issues and concerns, and then, as a community of professionals, we will know what to do. 


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