PEPonline Professionalization of Exercise Physiologyonline An international electronic journal for exercise physiologists ISSN 1099-5862 Vol 4 No 12 December 2001   Mastering New Thinking About Exercise Physiology Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP, EPC Professor and Chair Department of Exercise Physiology The College of St. Scholastica Duluth, MN 55811   “Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside of them was superior to circumstance.” – Bruce Barton Thinking Errors by Exercise Physiologists Exercise physiologists understand the role of research in the profession.  It is often referred to as the magical part of what they do.  When they do it right, it nurtures and guides their thinking.  When they fail to do it right or not do it at all, they are prone to make errors in judgment.  There are two types of thinking errors: Type 1 Error occurs when a person believes a falsehood, and Type 2 Error occurs when a person rejects a truth (1).  It is reasonable to argue that exercise physiologists who disagree with the purpose of ASEP are committing both errors!  In research, exercise physiologists are usually concerned with the power of different statistical tests in the analysis of their research data.  If there is little power (perhaps, as a function of too few subjects), there is the increased likelihood of committing a Type 1 Error (i.e., concluding that no difference exists when there is a difference).  Not wanting to believe a falsehood is a powerful motivation for making sure that the research design meets scholarly standards.  By contrast, exercise physiologists are not as concerned with the error of rejecting a truth (Type 2 Error).  The reason is directly a function of their understanding of the application of statistical procedures in scientific thinking.  If a real difference exists, they believe that at a correct application of statistics will find the difference.  After all, exercise physiologists are well educated in statistical application to research data and in drawing statistical inferences.  They understand that using the right statistical test and asserting the right interpretations resulting from the research design lead to credible scientific writing, processing of ideas, and publishing of their work.  Outside of the important experience of scientific reading, exercise physiologists have not built or nurtured an equally important thinking about the path of professionalism.  As a result, most have not thought critically about the criteria that define a profession.  Until the founding (2) of ASEP in 1997, exercise physiologists cherished the traditional image of sports medicine and were comfortable as they moved into new roles that supported the sports medicine field.  Fortunately, since 1997, there are now exercise physiologists who are asking important questions and doing important things to move exercise physiology into the 21st century.  Many are asking questions that never occurred to them before, and many are finding answers to “what is exercise physiology” and “what is the practice of exercise physiology” (3).  However, exercise physiologists who have adopted the sports medicine representation of “what is exercise physiology” have committed a Type 1 Error in thinking.  They believe a falsehood because they believe that sports medicine is the professional organization of exercise physiologists.  They have also rejected the purpose of ASEP and, therefore, have made a Type 2 Error in thinking.  It is not that the exercise physiologists that represent sports mediciene are ignorant; they are obviously intelligent, just misinformed.  Their thinking is wrong, but they can be helped to think differently.  They can also be helped to realize that ASEP is “the” professional organization of exercise physiologists.  The Exercise Physiology Standards The best thinking that defines exercise physiology as a profession is consistent with the understanding that the term profession is a social concept.  This is an important consideration for any emerging profession.  Therefore, apart from the obvious efforts of ASEP to move exercise physiology forwards as a profession, members of the organization must come to terms with the practice of exercise physiology in the public sector.  Stated somewhat differently, the best efforts of the ASEP members must be aligned with the needs of society.  But, first, before exercise physiologists can effectively address society’s needs, they must come to terms with two popular but distinctly different titles: (a) the clinical exercise physiologist; and (b) the exercise physiologist.  Aside from the Type 1 Error previously mentioned, many exercise physiologists continue to believe the falsehood that the clinical exercise physiologist is somehow different from the exercise physiologist.  The truth is that the use of the word “clinical” is unnecessary, misleading, and incorrect.  When it precedes exercise physiology, it is a clear “falsehood” where too few exercise physiologists lack the power to define the exercise physiology profession.  Similarly, exercise physiologists need to stop rejecting the truth that their work is defined by the recently developed ASEP Standards of Professional Practice” (3).  The “Standards” were written as a guide to define not only the practice of exercise physiology as a critical part of society, but to hold exercise physiologists accountable to a reexamination of their work by the Board of Certification.  Should they fail to maintain competence, unprofessional conduct may bring retribution from the Board.  It may also bring retribution from society in the form of laws to regulate professional practice.  Of course, this is as exercise physiologists expect it.  They are comfortable with the new roles and changing work-related opportunities defined by the ASEP “Standards”.  Why not?  Exercise physiologists understand that cardiac rehabilitation jobs are too few and too narrow in job opportunities, even if there were no problems with respect and pay to fit the bill for all exercise physiologists.  This is why the “Standards” are so important to the reinterpretation of exercise physiology for the contemporary 21st century exercise physiologists.   The standards are directly a function of the recognized and not so recognized commitment to society.  Fortunately, at least for the ASEP members, there are increased opportunities and many interpretations of exercise physiology when viewed from the ASEP perspective.  It has changed the very foundation and definition of exercise physiology; its image, and its reality because the organization cares about helping exercise physiologists enter the professional world of healthcare professionals. The Application of Exercise Physiology Clearly, quick-thinking professionals must move from rhetoric with little understanding of its history of being limited in job opportunities to a much healthier view and hope for the future of our students.  Responsible exercise physiologists owe it to their profession and to their students.  If they are college teachers, a demonstrated relationship of their knowledge to the practice of exercise physiology in the public sector is important.  In short, what is the value of the students’ education if they don't know how to apply it?  For what purpose does exercise physiology exists, as a profession, on behalf of the pleasure of society?  These are important questions that need answers.  Members of the profession share a common responsibly of “buying into” their profession as a career choice that is motivated by altruism.  Humankind is full of individuals organized around a theme that begs a relationship with society.  There are disciplines that want to be professions, emerging professions that want to be professions today not tomorrow, and others are continually hopeful for something better.  Whatever the theme might be, it generally prompts those who assume to benefit from a discussion of the efficacy of their body of knowledge.  One approach is simply to demonstrate to the American people the application of exercise physiology knowledge and its impact on health, fitness, athletics, and rehabilitation.  The application itself doesn’t have to be comprehensive or necessarily all that detailed.  But, by beginning, exercise physiologists share in their purposes, functions, and applications of exercise physiology and its interrelationships and distinctive features with other professions that serve society. The interactions and common dynamics of the exercise physiologists’ body of knowledge arise from a shared belief in scientific research.  Beginning in the 1960s, and continuing today, research has become increasingly common among exercise physiologists (although, admittedly, predominately by college teachers).   A huge amount of empirical studies, reviews, health promotion and physical fitness content-driven information for personal, public and corporate application, and a significant listing of standard procedures for both the healthy and the unhealthy have resulted from shared and competing behaviors.  However, from a public sector niche point of view, the application of the knowledge awaits the attention of those interested in the entrepreneurial professional development of exercise physiology.   “When the vision is clear, nothing else matters.”  -- Wally Amos In other words, even though exercise physiologists share in common a sense of urgency for the rehabilitation of heart patients and a passion for athletes, they generally do not have the ability to see the opportunity where other successful health and fitness entrepreneurs have gone.  It goes without saying, therefore, that this is a problem, which is best said by the fight promoter Don King.  “If you have a talent and don’t use it, then you have contributed to your own demise.”  There isn’t any question that exercise physiologists have the talent and the duty to apply their knowledge to the public sector.  However, to do so requires an intense commitment and passion to upset the status quo.  That is, they must disrupt accepted ways of doing what exercise physiologists do if they are to alter traditional patterns of thinking.  The very purpose of ASEP is to try to bring about entrepreneurial thinking that encourages seizing opportunity and creating markets for new professional services.  ASEP is pro-exercise physiologist like no other organization in the United States.  It is a new, fresh model for all exercise physiologists where entrepreneurial thinking is encouraged.  Exercise physiologists must think global instead of the focus on the typical clinical jobs, not that they aren’t important.  The world is changing very fast, and exercise physiologists must dramatically transform their thinking.  Charles Darwin said it best, “It is not the strongest of the species, nor the most intelligent, that survives, but rather the one that is most adaptable to change.”  Together, it is important that ASEP members challenge the conventional wisdom of sports medicine and welcome new values, beliefs, and ideas.  Through a strategic alliance with other healthcare practitioners, they can engage in a wider spectrum of public sector jobs. The Influence of Change Makers on New Thinking The leaders of ASEP are change makers.  This is a new term and a new way of thinking for exercise physiologists.  Most readers understand the term “leader” more so than innovator or change maker.  When both do what others say can’t be done, they are the same.  They think about new things, new ideas, and they learn from the past.  Dr. Robert Robergs (4) of the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM is a change maker.  He lives in the present, yet his eyes are on the future of exercise physiology.  Few, if any, professionals have done more for the exercise physiology.  His standards for service, coaching of graduate students, and mentoring of other professionals are examples of his professionalism and commitment.  Dr. Robergs understands that the exercise physiologists who support the sports medicine model, day after day, committee after committee, meeting after meeting, by saying the opposite of what they think violates the harmonious relationship among all exercise physiologists.  The point is, when non-ASEP exercise physiologists argue sports medicine over exercise physiology, the self-interests is in conflict with their integrity and goodwill.  This tension is often a prerequisite for change as all matters of conscience are often contradictory and mysterious, but eventually understood.  Hence, in time, the conflicts and the differences between all exercise physiologists will be muffled, talked about, understood, and acted upon to reinforce the community of value and responsibility to each other, the emerging profession, and the enhancement of job opportunities for all students of exercise physiology. Who is Dr. Robert Robergs?  He is a teacher, research, and a paradigm pioneer.  He is the author of several exercise physiology texts, and yet he speaks out even in face of the fact that he may sell fewer books because of his position with ASEP.  Money isn’t the question, but integrity is, and he is a man of “integrity”.  He is a pioneer in the professional development of exercise physiology; a man who has taken the risk and has uncovered others willing to follow him.  As a catalyst for new educational thinking, and as a person who has the brains, time, effort, and resources to create the critical mass that drives the new thinking, more exercise physiologists will embrace with faith the new paradigm of global possibilities.  The Exercise Physiologist’s Bill of Rights By understanding the old paradigm, ASEP members say, “never again”.  They want involvement in the decision-making process and the thinking that influences the reputation of all exercise physiologists.  They want the right to no longer be “bystanders” during the change process within sports medicine and the multitude of other professions.  Too many have found their thinking and discussions about exercise physiology on the short end of the stick.  Their experiences with sports medicine officials have been “you don’t get it” or “you aren’t a major player”.  Still other attempts to talk about ASEP are interpreted with “no communication at all”.  That is, a person may simply walk away without an explanation or care to give one.  Talk about bad feelings, and those who wish to control.  It is simply that they are obnoxious, if not, just plain difficult.  Driven by beliefs and feelings of having been shortchanged in the development of exercise physiology, the all-important influence of sports medicine and its certifications and so forth are no longer acceptable.  Exercise physiologists have the right to decide their future, to act on technical matters that affect the emerging profession, and even to decide anything having to do with their professional life.  They ought to be free to make it, to fail, or to do whatever, given their own will as professionals.  The following Bill of Rights is an example of the “rights” of all exercise physiologists to: 1. Decide for themselves their own future. 2. Express their feelings without apology or explanation. 3. Say “no” to sports medicine, kinesiology, or any other field of study that keeps exercise physiologists from being themselves. 4. Decide for themselves their organization or society of choice to embrace and commit resources and time. 5. Ask other exercise physiologists, particularly those with the PhD, to help with the professionalization of exercise physiology. 6. Move forwards with the development of their own society even should they fall face flat. 7. Forgive themselves for not having all the answers should others expect it of them. 8. Share their feelings with whomever to make decisions, to share thoughts and/or expectations, or just to listen to another. 9. Admit that they may be wrong on some things, but have the right to believe in what they are doing. 10. Be free as exercise physiologists to create their own thinking, as critical thinkers, about their work in the public sector. Knowing these rights and freedoms not only encourages shared responses, but it also provides a basis for standing up for what exercise physiologists believe.  Moreover, in accepting the Bill of Rights, exercise physiologists agree “never again”.  Or, to put it another way, they are glad to explain why ASEP is “The Professional Organization of Exercise Physiologist”.   The “Bill” provides an understanding of the “free will” and authenticity of all exercise physiologists.  The ability to arrive at this understanding is the hallmark of the emerging profession.  Transforming Thinking Unfortunately, the education of exercise physiologists has been for decades a continuing development of a few who have invested their time and energy in sports medicine and exercise science.  There commitment has accounted for their gains.  Their silence (and decision not to acknowledge that ASEP exists) has set them apart from the heart and soul of exercise physiology.  At first glance, these comments may seem harsh, improper, or inaccurate.  The reality, however, is that the comments are true.  The mis-education of exercise physiologists during the past several decades has resulted in a privileged few with considerable recognition, authority, and power.  To change from “what is” to “what should be” (and what must be to realize the transition from a discipline to a profession) – global changes in thinking about exercise physiology are necessary.  Suddenly, the former assumptions are no longer irresistibly correct.  “Freedom is what you do with what’s been done to you.”  -- Jean-Paul Sartre Just as love is not about power, organizations are not about dominance.   Interdependence and connectedness are unique and free.  Seldom is it right to mandate or impose a particular thinking and, most certainly, it is not right to continue specialization and fragmentation in undergraduate and graduate programs.  It is time to learn from past mistakes, and to imagine a future in which universal support for all exercise physiologists share a sense of meaning in their work.  Part of that learning begins with the understanding of the exercise physiologists’ unwitting contribution to a vision that has befitted the inner circle, if not, a secret life of sports medicine.  The key now is “interconnectedness” of all exercise physiologists on behalf of making the new exercise physiology a reality.  Declaration of Faith It may seem strange that an exercise physiologist should probe the thinking underlying faith, but it is exactly the necessary feeling to reshape their thinking.  Faith thinking is a belief that allows for an attitude and a matter of choice led by a sense of purpose.  It is at the heart of the issue because once it begins and the vision is established, those who pursue the dream have already succeeded.  “Success is not what you have, but what you look forward to.” – Clarence Smith Ever notice, not once but many times, how a friend or others may say that a new organization, perhaps like ASEP “is impossible”?  Have you ever heard the comment “get serious” when a new perspective about a new product, new course, or a new academic program is discussed or when you are in close proximity of realizing the impossible, and someone says “why waste time”?  The lack of faith in a lot of people about a lot of things is commonplace, and it is also true about many exercise physiologists.  Their feeling about ASEP, in particular, is no different from Lee’s lack of faith in the television.  Lee De Forest’s (an American Inventor, 1873-1961) said,  “While theoretically and technically television may be feasible, commercially and financially I consider it an impossibility, a development of which we need waste little time dreaming.”  Just imagine what might have been had Lee been placed in charge of developing and marketing the television.  Instead of hundreds of different types of televisions at all kinds of prices with technology that is numbing, not to elaborate on the array of educational and otherwise programs that can be watched and from which students and essentially anyone can learn from, there would be a few televisions or maybe one “big” television for everyone to watch.  At first glance (and a bit like pressing the point), the idea sounds a lot like an umbrella organization that believes “there isn’t the need for the existence of other organizations because everything falls under ‘our’ title.”  It certainly would be a big mess to have continued the idea that only one big television (i.e., organization) is enough and that only one big conference per year meets the needs of everyone.  Talk about the eventual loss of interest and impact on members with different interests and educational training!  Fortunately, the true sign of intelligence played itself out in those who understood the debilitating impact of the predisposition (or requirement) that failed to encourage different points of view and/or professional development with specificity.  They knew or, at least, suspected that specificity requires change and that it is counterintuitive to resist the instinctive notion that exercise physiologists, in particular, needed their own professional organization.  Hence, change is itself often a step in faith sense it is a necessity that is poorly understood if not simply disliked for its belief of increased work. To deal effectively with change, exercise physiologists must have faith in the ASEP leaders.  They have worked for nearly half of a decade in helping to establish clarity in the goals and objectives of ASEP, the professional infrastructure of what is exercise physiology, and the customer service considerations that drive professionalism.   The role of ASEP in bringing together exercise physiologists is in itself a movement based on faith that is focused on a new thinking that reinforces the importance of academic standards and professional quality.  The entrepreneurial momentum encourages an expansion and penetration into new areas of job opportunities.  In the end, the members begin to think differently.  Their creativity enables them to impart flexibility that empowers all members, thus forming a cohesive force by faith, innovation, and commitment.  A Shared Experience One of the most important results of global thinking is the giving up of behaviors or way of thinking that distracts from the new concepts and ideas.  More frequently than is believed, the “giving up” is (or can be) a shared experience.  Members are seen as rallying around the effort to promote the new perspective and attitude towards the new views on professionalism.  The experience itself is both a step in faith and a willingness to accept risk.  Buckle up because this is the transformation that streamlines the decrease in resistance to what is perceived as conflicting ideas and in resolving what appears as discrepancies. “Here we go” is an expression of many possibilities.  One is that the ASEP improved quality of relationship and influence that supports the common belief that the seemingly impassable is passable.  Buckle up and look at the bigger picture of change within the business of exercise physiology.  The power to shape the future is neither a puzzle with missing pieces nor a regulated entity by an external force, rather an ASEP certainty in keeping with the customer’s demand.   The exercise physiologists’ power lies in their appreciation, preparedness, and understanding of the health, fitness, athletic, and rehabilitation information-service industry.  This is definitely a new thinking with significant advances in the fundamental restructuring of the sum total of the stuff of exercise physiology.  The point is simply that with greater clarity in direction there is an implied increase in sharing responsibility and in the ability to think strategically.  Taking the bull by the horns is a demonstration of the power of managing change, hence buckle up -- the future awaits exercise physiologists who think differently.  In this context, dreaming the dream is visionary. “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to lead the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”  --  Henry David Thoreau A Shared Vision  Everyone has heard the saying, “If you are not thinking about where you are going, you might end up someplace else.”  Knowing where you want to end up is defined by a vision.  Stated differently, knowing where you are going is directly a function of a realistic and inspiring answer to the question, “If you had one wish, what would exercise physiology look like in ten years?”  The answer is or can be the vision that creates the future, especially if it is attractive and inspiring.  ASEP leaders have said, “Join us and together we can make a difference.”  Together, exercise physiologists will be able to do great things.  A shared vision improves not only the community of exercise physiologists, but also their professional services, cooperation, and support of each other.  It is a source of hope that encourages new ways of thinking, new agendas, and taking risks in setting up priorities and in achieving important results.  “The great use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.”  -- William James  With the founding of ASEP in 1997, the leaders new that the organization would outlast them.  That understanding came from the widely shared ASEP vision that provides the ASEP focus, spark for new thinking, and the wake-up call for exercise physiologists throughout the United States.  They also understood the differences between a vision and a mission (or purpose) statement.  The latter is very important because it tells everyone what business it is in, that is, its reason for being.  To illustrate the ASEP purpose (5) for being, the leaders agreed on the following statement: 1. The American Society of Exercise Physiologists is a national non-profit professional organization committed exclusively to the advancement and improvement of exercise physiology.  2. The Society provides a forum for leadership and exchange of information to stimulate discussion and collaboration among exercise physiologists active in all aspects of the profession.  3. The Society sets the standards for exercise physiologists through its ASEP approved curricula in Universities and Colleges throughout the United States. Clearly, then, the business of ASEP is to advance exercise physiology by providing a forum for leadership that sets the academic standards in the United States.  In just a few sentences, the ASEP vision (6) inspires commitment and enthusiasm: 1. To be recognized as the leading professional organization of American scholars and practitioners in the study and application of exercise physiology to fitness, health promotion, rehabilitation, and sports training.  2. The Society is dedicated to unifying all exercise physiologists in the United States and worldwide to promote and support the study, practice, teaching, research, and development of the exercise physiology profession. 3. Through proactive and creative leadership, the Society empowers its members to serve the public good by making an academically sound difference in the application of exercise physiology concepts and insights.  The ASEP Vision didn’t just happen.  It resulted from a deliberate analysis and thinking of what exercise physiologists needed to ensure the move from a discipline to an emerging profession.  The leadership enthusiastically endorsed the importance of professional development by:  (a) promoting ASEP as “the” professional organization of exercise physiologists; (b) dedicating its members the responsibility for promoting and supporting the development of exercise physiology; and (c) being proactive and creative in the application of exercise physiology in service of the public sector. Reference 1. Shermer, M. (1997). Why people believe weird things. New York, NY: MJF Books. 2. American Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2001). [Online]. http://www.css.edu/asep/ 3. American Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2001). Standards of Professional Practice. [Online]. http://www.css.edu/ASEP/StandardsofProfessionalPractice.html 4. Robergs, Robert. (2001). Resume. [Online]. http://www.unm.edu/~rrobergs/index.htm 5. American Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2001). ASEP Purpose. [Online]. http://www.asep.org/asep/asep/purpose.htm 6. American Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2001). ASEP Vision. [Online]. http://www.asep.org/asep/asep/vision.htm Copyright ©1997-2007 American Society of Exercise Physiologists   All Rights Reserved.