Professionalization of Exercise Physiologyonline          


ISSN 1099-5862   Vol 6 No 4  April 2003 
 


 
 











    Editor-in-Chief
    Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, MA, FASEP, EPC
 

 
The Public's Demand for Higher Standards
Donald W. Rodd, PhD 
Department of Human Kinetics and Sport Studies 
University of Evansville 
Evansville, IN 47722

AS A RESULT of the death of Anne Capati, a 37-year old woman who suffered a stroke allegedly, as a result of recommendations of her personal trainer, the fitness and exercise world has been sent into turmoil and damage control. Allegedly Ms. Capati was instructed by her personal trainer, via written and oral instructions, to consume ephedra based products for weight loss even though she was taking prescription medication for hypertension (1, 2, 3). The trainer involved in this incident did not have any formal educational training in the fields of exercise, health, nutrition or fitness nor did he have any credentials acknowledging him as a trained fitness professional. As a result of Ms. Capati’s death, the fitness industry and the public are demanding higher standards for fitness personnel particularly personal trainers. 

According to an article published at clubsafety.com (3), as a result of a $320 million dollar lawsuit filed by the Capati family, the standards of fitness facilities and credentialing of fitness personnel will probably be scrutinized. Among the issues that may be examined include whether personal trainers should be held to a higher standard than other exercise professionals and the need for government licensure for personal trainers. 

An article in the AAALF Active Voice (4) indicates there are over 300 trainer-certifying organizations in the United States including (in the order presented in the article) ACE, ACSM, NSCA and AAFA with little consistency in the certification criteria. To remedy this situation, the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association is developing fitness certification guidelines including educational guidelines for more consistent curriculum. According to AAALF:

“Historically, there has been a disconnect between content taught in exercise science curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree and requirements of certification or skill sets needed in the industry.” 
Therefore, AAALF and NASPE are working together to persuade the certifying agencies to develop a common curriculum to teach competencies needed in the fitness industry. In addition, AAHPERD has included a session entitled Exploring Certifications and College Degree Structure for Fitness in its national meeting with discussion forums featuring the following issues: 
  • What is the future for the fitness/exercise profession?
  • How can we better prepare undergraduates for professional fitness careers?
  • Is there a role for higher education in preparing professionals?
  • What should the degree programs be called?
The death of Ms. Capati is a tragedy, and this event is even more tragic if the personal trainer implicated is found culpable for her death based on dangerous health and fitness recommendations. While reading about this terrible tragedy several things came to mind regarding ASEP and its position regarding academic background and credentials for professionals. 

In regard to licensure, ASEP has been advocating and is moving toward licensure for exercise physiologist at the state level. Is it possible that personal trainers without a baccalaureate degree will be licensed professionals before academically trained exercise physiologists? In regard to standards, should personal trainers be held to a higher standard than other exercise professionals? Re-phrasing this question, should personal trainers be held to a higher standard than a Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Specialist? Will personal trainers take over Cardiac Rehab? 

In regard to curriculum, in its position statements, ASEP has indicated the importance of a common comprehensive curriculum to teach competencies to future exercise professionals. The academic requirement connects curriculum with the competencies needed for certification and competent practice. ASEP’s position is exactly opposite the situation reported by AAALF. 

In regard to professional credentials, in its position statements, ASEP requires all exercise physiologists have an academic degree in exercise physiology and become certified to practice exercise physiology. It seems that organizations are now scrambling to develop the type of professional requirements that are already in place through ASEP. However, ASEP is typically not mentioned in any of the articles regarding professional certification, licensure or common curriculum. 

While I am not advocating certifications for personal trainers through ASEP, I am suggesting that organizations look to ASEP as a model for professionalism. Hire an ASEP Certified Exercise Physiologist as a supervisor and if needed, personal trainers certified through an organization that meets predetermined standardized criteria. Why not use ASEP as the body to examine certification organizations? 

The death of Ms. Capati is a terrible tragedy, but this incident has unmasked the lack of standardization and professionalism in the exercise and fitness world. While not a perfect organization, ASEP has recognized that problems exist in the exercise world and has begun the process to correct some of them particularly in the area of curriculum and credentialing. As agencies and organizations begin to assess the standards for exercise professionals, I hope they do not overlook the work of ASEP and the great strides it has made in standardization and professionalism in the field of exercise physiology. 
 

References
1.  Bowes, P. (November, 2002). Personal Trainers Under the Spotlight. BBC News World Edition. [Online]. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/health/2493089.stm
2.  CBS News. com. (September, 2002). Lawsuit Exposes Health Club Secrets. [Online]. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/09/23/eveningnews/main52299.shtml 
3.  Herbert, D.L. Health Club Sued for $320 million. Clubsafety.com.
4. Who Trained the Trainer? (Winter, 2003). The AAALF Active Voice. 8:2.

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