Seeing the Unobvious in Exercise Physiology
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, MA, FASEP, EPC
Professor and Chair
Department of Exercise Physiology
The College
of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811
The art of seeing the unseen is
a lifetime study.
Not too long ago I wrote about how much I enjoyed reading the
book, The Power of Perception by
Marcus Bach [1]. Well, I picked it up
today and, once again, I was taken by his use of words. It is a special book. If you have the opportunity to obtain a copy,
you should do so. I believe you will
thoroughly enjoy reading it. I know I
do. This article is the result of
thoughts stimulated by reading parts of Bach’s book. I hope you will enjoy it, and that you will
get to see the “unobvious” in exercise physiology. Yes, I should point out that the word
“unobvious” was taken from page 4 of Bach [2].
It is an unusual word that is seldom found in the scientific literature.
So, I ask you the question: “What is it about exercise
physiology that is ordinarily unobserved?”
Of course if you knew, you would display an understanding of the power inherent
in exercise physiology as a healthcare profession. Think of it this way, two words: Exercise and
Physiology. In one sense, one could say
the “physiology of exercise.” Can you
remember a time when you sat in the course called, Physiology of Exercise? Wasn’t it exciting? Now, the course is Exercise Physiology or
Advanced Exercise Physiology. Think of
what the title could have been. How
about Exercise Therapy as the title for the typical exercise physiology course? The meaning of exercise physiology may well
have been more in line with Physical Therapy than physiology per se.
In another way of thinking about the title, clearly,
exercise precedes physiology. The order
in which things are presented causes us to think differently about titles. To be flat honest, exercise physiology is
not all about physiology. Part of the
unobvious and unobserved is the power of
exercise. Now, please do not
misunderstand me, we are “exercise” physiologists. We are not fitness professionals or even
applied physiologists. Believe me I’ve
had the privilege of talking with people who disagree with me. Without a doubt, my life would be much
different had I not decided to start thinking for myself. It has been good to see others with the exact
same experiences that pretty well anchored their conviction to change exercise
physiology.
When people are like each other,
they tend to like each other. – Anthony Robbins and Joseph McClendon III, Unlimited Power: A Black Choice
Yes, I understand some of you get it. However, I’m afraid the majority of “exercise
physiologists” do not get the power of their title or the power of their profession. It is true, part of the problem lies with the
lack of leadership in exercise physiology [3].
This is because only 4 to 5 exercise physiologists out of a 1000 are
writing about professional issues and concerns.
This disengagement between the present day reality and yesterday’s way
of thinking is a reluctance to get involved that seems to be driven by apathy, not confusion. It is quite possible for exercise
physiologists to change but, first, as tactfully as I can say it, they must
care to change. They must feel the pain and
sadness of their students. I do not mean
to exaggerate this point, or to create more negative feelings towards me or the
ASEP organization. I understand it is
hard to accept. But the evidence since
the founding of ASEP is available to even the casual observer.
Just as it is the mind that
cares for the body, every profession is guided and defined by its professional
organization.
I have reflected many times on exactly this point. Please appreciate that I am not suggesting
that exercise physiologists are not capable of caring or leading. Many are doing just that, but doing it
incorrectly. Understandably, this sounds
harsh. It is not meant to be. It is as I see it from the perspective and
condition that is no longer gripped by the obvious agenda of sports medicine. I want you to see this, too. Please take the time to reflect on the
evolving nature of exercise physiology from a professional point of view.
Why not encourage ASEP and its members to keep their chins up for they
are our hope of something special? No
one can deny that nurturing is powerful and needed.
Equally so, it seems that the forces of change and their
implications for students and opportunities for credible careers in the public
sector have created the necessity for intervention.
In fact, how many times have we overlooked
obvious career opportunities and forfeited our professional development to
enable others?
Personally, I believe the
number is huge because, as members of organizations other than the American
Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP), events and circumstances within the
other organizations have been developed and/or maintained by exercise
physiologists.
Think, for example, of
the work done by exercise physiologists that is benefiting other professionals
more so than our own students.
Where is
the inner vision for the exercise physiology profession and, equally important,
for the students of exercise physiology?
Must exercise physiologists always exist within the
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), or some other organization?
Is it wrong or politically incorrect to even
raise the question?
To which I add, if
it is, then, perhaps, exercise physiologists do not deserve the title, Exercise
Physiologists!
This may surprise those
who are not familiar with the path of professional development.
Try this.
Take a few minutes right now and think about all the issues within
physical therapy since 1915, occupational therapy since 1917, and nursing since
the 1850s.
I wish I had answers that everybody likes when I ask the question, "Why
have exercise physiologists waited so long to get involved in their
professional development?" However, I don't have the answers.
But, when I think about who is responsible for where we are today?
It seems to me that we
are responsible for our failed transformation of curriculum and degree
programs.
Listen and learn from people who
have already been where you want to go.
Benefit from their mistakes instead of repeating them. – Benjamin Carson
The most general implication of this thinking is this: “Why not get a college education with substance?” The reluctance to become involved in changing
exercise science and other non-career oriented degrees simply fuels the
problems faced by students. Just any
college degree is not helpful. Exercise
science, in particular, is a continuation of a failed logic with decreasing
capacities and opportunities for students to adapt to the healthcare
system. Since we know that students are
unhappy and dissatisfied after college in their search for viable jobs, we must
commit ourselves to discovering who we are.
Every fiber of me says that we are healthcare professionals. We are credible professionals. We are disciplined in research and critical
thinking with meaningful insights and observations of the benefits of exercise
on the mind and body.
But, we are responsible for intentionally behaving or causing others to
act in ways that help them innocent students. This behaviorally
focused thinking is critical to the professionalism of exercise
physiology.
The full awareness of this thinking is linked to the
passionate efforts of the ASEP leadership [4] to bring out the hidden
healthcare (and sports training) beliefs and career paths for all exercise
physiologists. The leadership lives with the
conviction that the ASEP effort will convince colleagues of the need for change and that, in time,
the majority will see the commonly unseen importance of membership in your own
professional organization. Call it a
vision [5]: “What do you see when you
think about exercise physiology?” Are
you willing to think of it as a healthcare profession? Or, is it still a research discipline? As a doctorate prepared exercise physiologist, have you gotten over the idea that a person
with an undergraduate degree in exercise physiology can call him- or herself an
exercise physiologist? Without hesitation,
I can tell you that I have received emails and verbal assaults to my face that
under no circumstances can person be an exercise physiologist without the
doctorate degree. Even today the obedience to such failed thinking shocks me.
I believe the failed thinking follows several lines of thought.
First, obedience to yesterday's thinking is justified by "yesterday's
rationale" that this is the way it has always been and, therefore,
should continue to be. In other words, believing that they are
right, they can then engage in undersirable actions and political
strategies or a host of other punishing policies against the new and
unthinkable way of viewing exercise physiology. Second, implement
a parallel form of pseudo-professional obligation of its members (such
as accreditation of diverse academic programs) to encourage the
behavior they want. Third, give key members specific roles to
play in their organization to encourage a scripted response to others
who disagree with them. Fourth, there is always the "threat"
(perhaps, tenure) that members hold over others, most those who are in
their beginning years. Such unthinkable acts of controlling and
engaging the behavior of others are part of the unobserved character of
colleagues who cover up their deeds through sustaining yesterday's
thinking.
Such thinking is not consistent with the way exercise
physiologists looked at themselves during the 70s through 90s. During those years, they did not have the option of a professional organization. Today,
however, dramatic changes have taken place since 1997, the founding of
the ASEP organization. Yet, it seems that one of the unique
things about new thinking is that the old establishment doesn't want to
give up its way of doing things. From their point of view,
nothing has changed or has changed very little.
Of course, most of my students at St. Scholastica [6] do not understand their
thinking at all. Where is your faith in
yourself? To me, that is the
question. If only you were more
confident in what you do and, perhaps, what you hope to be, you would be more
open to others who want the same. And,
so I say to you, “Even though you may not have the ability to see what the ASEP
leaders see in exercise physiology, try anyway.” By trying, the possibility is there that you
will see the ordinarily unobserved view of exercise physiology.
I do the very best I know how –
the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. – Abraham
Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th President of the United States
True, it will not be easy but it is necessary that all
exercise physiologists re-examine the field that they work in and love so
much. Try to see the commonly unseen in
exercise physiology. It is a quest worth
the effort. Why not give ASEP a chance
by becoming part of its reality? Why not
urge students and others to look at ASEP from a new perspective? In time, exercise physiologists can stop
hiding behind yesterday’s thinking. That
is, if they truly try to live up to the professional expectations of exercise
physiology as a healthcare profession, there would be no enemies to hate, no
exercise physiologists to make light of, or to misjudge. How that day will come or when it will come is beyond
me. All I can do is keep writing, keep working on behalf of my students, and
expect that it will happen, regardless of those who support sports medicine and, thus think that what I have
said is presumptuous, naïve or even stupid.
Frankly, it is an act of faith that I continue to write; an act of
faith that miracles do happen, that
colleagues will discover the truth within themselves, and that the
journey to ASEP will be recognized one small step to greatness as a
profession. After all, the evolving nature of the ASEP
organization is a quest, a necessary road to professional development, and each
of us should know this. Other healthcare
professions have traveled the same road.
Call it commonsense or even insight. Call it what you
will, but it is the right road and the direction for becoming recognized healthcare
professionals. Every profession needs
its own professional organization.
Exercise physiology is no different.
Otherwise, the vulnerability to all that which associates with "fitness
professionals" and "personal trainers" will continue to distract from
the work required of exercise physiologists. Personally, to allow
or even to encourage the distractions is unthinkable. I have no other reason to share this except that it makes perfect sense
to me and to others.
As Picasso remarked, “Every act of creation is first of all
an act of destruction.” This is one
aspect of professional development that people do not get. This may indeed be the unseen part of us that
continues to be held captive by our tradition.
Now
is the time to rise above our differences because the process of
creating something new must be understood. As such, this is the
only logical way to frame the importance of professionalism or the lack
of it in exercise physiology.
Thus, would it make a difference if the gatekeepers would focus on
their students and not on themselves? I bet it would, and I know
that I must believe it would make a difference. In the long
wrong, we share a "common dream" or "vision" (i.e., respect and
credibility), although we are on two different paths to achieve
it. Perhaps, not surprisingly, I believe ASEP is the right path. It believe this is a truism in professions. If we let ourselves experience the problems
our students face and live with after graduation, we can learn to come together. It is just a matter of finding our own
creative source within a new way of thinking so that we can see the unseen, or as
Bach [2, p. 15] says:
To see light when apparently
there is only darkness, hope when there is seemingly nothing but despair, faith
when it is crowded out by fear, the hint of joy when it appears there can never
be anything but sorrow, victory in the shattering hour of defeat, and love when
all seems engulfed by hate!
This particular kind of thinking is powerful. It is derived of faith in what is unseen. Dreams and realities of individuals are
expected to come together in a blended way to empower everyone involved. Nowhere is that more possible than within the
ASEP organization. When we come together
as a force, when we experience the innermost reality of “something special,”
nothing is or will be comparable.
The need to comprehend this point is the need to have an understanding
of professionalism, professionalization, and professional
development. This is also a basic need of all evolving
professions. The need for credibility and independence or
autonomy in the practice of their scientific body of knowledge, to be
one's own person, to function as other healthcare professionals has
been evident for years now. Nothing
can match the ASEP vision of hope. The
organization exists because of the crisis and the impulse to do the right thing
for the right reason. This is as it should be.
Exercise physiology must change, grow, and take on a new passion of
professional development with a new positive identity that is well-developed in ethical thinking. Perhaps, Bach
[2, p. 27] said it best: “We cannot truly advance unless we catch a vision of
the unseen.”
Here is the heart of this article. What is the unseen that is driving the ASEP organization? Stated somewhat differently, what is the
spirit behind the dream? While I realize
that many of our colleagues are not on the same page as the members of ASEP,
the world in which all of us live in is a never-static one. Hence, I am convinced of the positive impact
of the ASEP vision [5]; it breaths life into exercise physiology.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
This is a good vision.
It is a straight line to the future of the profession of exercise
physiology.
The
need for a shared vision is long overdue. It is a way of
experiencing a transcendence of the self; to go beyond what we have
been to something better. This is critical to the change process,
that is, to be part of a genuinely altruistic act, directed purely to
help all exercise physiologists. Also, this is why I think that
what I'm writing is founded on a constructive view of growth within
exercise physiology. The ASEP experience is about all exercise
physiologists, not just just those with the doctorate degree. It
is about meeting the psychological needs of those who believe in
exercise physiology as a healthcare profession. This is also an
important reason not to continue the pursue of sports medicine, even
when motivated by high ideals! By this I mean simply that
politics should not be regarded as a necessary means to staying
yesterday's course. Frankly, exercise physiologists do not have a
moral responsibility to criticize the ASEP leadership on the behalf of
sports medicine leaders. And, if we turn away from such thinking,
the door to today's views and vision for exercise physiology is easier
to open. So, having said that, what do you see when you
read the vision statements?
But, first, perhaps, for the
moment, it may be best that you read the words of Dosick [7, p. 29]:
Vision is more than what you
see. Vision is opening your eyes -- and your mind's eye, as well -- to
that inner place where you see and foresee, where you dream and imagine and
create....You could be satisfied with the status quo. You could be
content to leave things as they are. You could choose not to "rock
the boat,' 'upset the apple cart,' or 'make waves.' You could repeat the
sad and dangerous words, so often heard: 'But we've always done
it this way.' But then you and your business would probably not improve,
not progress, not prosper.
I imagine now that you understand the power of a
vision.
It is both the words that
influence the will of the person and the personal responsibility that the
person accepts for the breakthrough in ideas.
For one thing is sure, the act of actualizing ourselves is critical to
bringing exercise physiology forward.
By
this I mean that it is possible to change exercise physiology and, in fact,
that is exactly what ASEP has done.
Aside from putting the infrastructure for professional development in
place, the act of thinking differently has changed the world of exercise
physiology.
Every person has this power.
You can also release exercise physiology from
the sports medicine grip.
You have
it.
I have it.
That is why I left sports medicine, y
et this is not true for most exercise
physiologists.
The voice within, a voice
of the past, keeps them from recognizing the truth, from seeing the unobserved.
Some people see things as they
are and ask why. Others dream of things
that never were and ask why not?” – G. B. Shaw
This is the point, isn't it? We need more exercise physiologists
willing to ask "why not?" The very notion that we are held
captive under yesterday's thinking flies in the face of many
observations about exercise physiology. Hence, the
question: "Shall we keep things as they are or change
things?" Probably no other question is more right for us to ask
at this time in our brief history. Here, the intent to do good is
an integral part of the definition of change. It is not enough to
stay as we have been. What do you think? Are you for seeing things
as they are? Or, are you for dreaming of things that never were and ask why not? In the case of evolving professions, it is not right or natural to keep
things as they are. Life is all about change. After all, there growth, change, or
progress in essentially all things of life?
It is what we do as we learn more
about ourselves and our purpose in life?
You must do the thing you think
you cannot do. – Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), American diplomat and
humanitarian
Remember the earlier statement, “Part of the unobvious and
unobserved is the power of exercise. We are “exercise” physiologists.” Well, why is it that exercise physiologists,
even those with a bachelor’s degree, have not captured “exercise” as their
career niche? It is unbelievable that we
have emphasized research-after-research and non-exercise physiology
certifications without defining how exercise physiologists can become
financially independent as certified professionals. Imagine the effect it would have on exercise
physiology if the members were to throw themselves courageously into their own athletic
and healthcare businesses [8].
In this regard, it should be clear that our future awaits us to define
it and to encourage it. Uncertainty is natural byproduct of
change. All we need is to look for the unseen and to manage the
change process. Other have it, and many are continuing to do it,
and this, it seems, is our destiny, too.
Remember, as Dale Carnegie said, “The man who starts out
going nowhere, generally gets there.”
Isn’t that exactly what happened to us?
Not having a specific purpose or direction in mind when exercise
physiology evolved from physical education, the field ended up nowhere! Now is the time to focus on where we want to
be in the future. That is exactly why
ASEP was founded. It gives order,
direction, and purpose to what we are and how to get there. To be sure, we can see the ordinarily unseen
if we try hard enough. I have faith that
we will learn from our journey. We can
help those who keep clinging to the rock of yesterday to trust that ASEP is the
right rope to grasp to climb out of the past into a today’s reality? ASEP was created for you by tough-minded men
and women you can trust. They have a
plan.
Until one is committed, there is
hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness….Whatever you can do
or dream, you can begin it. Boldness has
genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it
now. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832, German poet and dramatist
Exercise physiologists must stop acting as if they do not
have a head. The future is clear. The plan is to organize it around
“exercise.” Exercise is better than
medicine. Exercise physiologists need to
get with their future by supporting their professional organization. It is [the] way to adapt to challenges, to
deal with necessary changes where necessary, to prosper along with other
healthcare professionals, and to grow as they should. So, why not get the ASEP vision? Why not demonstrate the courage to make the
right difference, the professional difference for all exercise
physiologists? In short, this means
getting on with professional development, talking about our values, and acting
as healthcare professionals (not fitness specialists). No one can make you trust ASEP, but hasn’t
the leadership demonstrated its trustworthiness? With no one on their side and with everybody
working against them, they have stayed the course. Why? Because, first, they have tried hard to model the way for all exercise
physiologists. Secondly, they have a
dream (vision) and they know if you will just come on board, exercise
physiologists will invent the future, will clear a path for others, and will commit
to a shared desire for credibility for everyone.
The key that unlocks the door to opportunities is
action. Whether it is dropping a few
pounds, making more money, or writing a research paper, without “doing it”
there is little to talk about. The
biggest challenge before each of us is learning how to lead ourselves by doing
just that. Regardless of our mistakes or
failures to foster collaboration in the past, let us celebrate in the unseen
culture of expectation and opportunity.
Let us make relationships that will work for us, so that the
personal-best of ASEP can be represented for all to see. Not surprisingly, it is all within our grasp if only we would
see the ordinarily unseen.
That is, the development of exercise physiology should highlight the
key role professional organizations play in changing the 20th century
view of exercise physiologists. As change agents from within the
organization, students and others acknowledge the importance of
challenging the status quo, support the new 21st century vision, and
sustain the professional development of exercise physiology. Today's students will become the new leaders of exercise
physiology. They will work for increased collaboration and
cooperation among all exercise physiologists rather than political
competition and conflict. This "unobvious" kind of thinking
is imperative if our students are to acquire the academic and hands-on
skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century.
References
- Boone,
T. (2001). The Power of a Book. Professionalization
of Exercise Physiologyonline. 4:12 [Online]. http://www.asep.org/asep/asep/PowerOfaBook.html
- Bach,
M. (1965). The Power of Perception.
Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company.
- Boone,
T. (2005). A Crisis in Leadership in Exercise Physiology. Professionalization of Exercise
Physiologyonline. 8:12 [Online]. http://www.asep.org/asep/asep/ExercisePhysiologyCrisisInLeadership.html
- American Society of Exercise
Physiologists. (2006). Board of Directors. [Online]. http://www.asep.org/execbod.htm
- American Society of Exercise
Physiologists. (2006). The ASEP Vision. [Online]. http://www.asep.org/vision.htm
- The College of St.
Scholastica. (2006). Home Page.
[Online]. http://www.css.edu/
- Dosick,
R.W. (1993). THE BUSINESS BIBLE: Ten
Commandments for Creating an Ethical Workplace. New York, NY:
William Morrow and Company, Inc.
- Boone,
T. (2004). Exercise Physiologists
as Educators and Healthcare Practitioners in the Multidisciplinary
Exercise Physiology Healthcare (MEPH) Clinic. Professionalization of Exercise Physiologyonline. 7:1
[Online].
http://www.asep.org/asep/asep/MultidisciplinaryExercisePhysiologyHealthcareClinic.html
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©1997-2006
American Society of Exercise Physiologists All Rights
Reserved.