The
ASEPNewsletter
is
not a refereed newsletter. Newsletters are open-ended so as to present
a diverse set of opinions. The papers in the each issue are concerned
with issues and topics that have a bearing on the professionalization of
exercise physiology. As Editor, I especially welcome articles that
critically address specific features of ASEP and its efforts to develop
exercise physiology. Views that support ASEP's vision, goals, and
objectives as well as views that do not provide valuable lessons for our
readers.
Submitted
papers should be unpublished and non-copyrighted. Submission of a
paper will imply that it contains original unpublished work and is not
submitted for publication elsewhere. The Editor will pursue a policy
of timely and meaningful review of each paper. After the paper is
accepted, the author(s) must provide the paper's final version in an electronic
file on a diskette. The paper should follow the example of published
articles in the ASEPNewsletter.
The text format is flexible (regarding center headings, side flush headings,
and so forth). The reference style should conform to the style presently
used in the JEPonline.
Send
all submissions to the Editor:
ASEP
National Office
c/o
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP
Department
of Exercise Physiology
The
College of St. Scholastica
1200
Kenwood Ave
Duluth,
MN 55811
The
Road to Fitness
Tommy
Boone
The
road ahead to fitness can be an incredible adventure or it can be an absolute
failure. The human body is an unexplored territory, where predictability
is next to impossible. Do adults who are enthralled by fitness and
the possibilities it promises understand that it is not the answer to being
healthy? Fitness is one among many factors that influence one’s health.
Yet, endless magazine articles, television shows, and consensus conferences
have created the notion that fitness is health.
This
almost unbelievable interest in fitness has resulted in thousands of people,
some informed and others uninformed, going beyond reason in hope of unrealistic
gains. They exercise to exhaustion and do so day-after-day to reduce
the risks of dying from heart disease without realizing that the disease
is a multivariate problem. Still others are driven by different needs.
They believe that increased fitness will empower them to cheat life’s wear
and tear. Some expect to increase longevity and prove that exercise
is the panacea of society’s ills.
But
life is more than physical activity, although admittedly helpful and beneficial
physically and psychologically, there are pitfalls! Fitness for many
Americans is more driven by who runs faster and has the best stomach muscles.
They are interested in being first and doing whatever it takes to refigure
the way they look. The heart of the problem is not our lack of the
perfect body, but rather the unprecedented notion that we should have a
perfect body. There is also the problem (given the absence of absolute
confirmation) with the suggestion that physical inactivity (thus the lack
of fitness) is the cause of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure,
an colon cancer to mention a few.
Interest
in fitness has thus led to many destinations. Some have enormous
potential and should be applauded. Other expectations are little
more than entertainment. A few are even dangerous! For me,
many of the 16+ million increase in baby boomers (35 to 59 years old) during
the past seven years have doubtlessly responded to speculation and virtually
boundless misinformation.
To
some extent, the search for a better life through better fitness is understandable.
But, simple formulas are seldom helpful and when adults develop the habit
of believing any absurdity from the fitness industry, there is a problem.
That is, while a commonsense approach to fitness and physical activity
may help promote psychological well-being, educated laypersons with psychological
problems should not depend on their fitness status to correct their problems
and/or diseases.
The
ultimate test of good and thoughtful information is the degree to which
it causes healing to takes place from within. Remarkably, the solution
to change from within is frequently as simple as “taking responsibility
for our health.” I am convinced that the power of conversion in fitness
thinking that guides a person’s life comes first from the person’s strong
belief that fitness is the answer.
Belief
alone, however, can be a ticklish point particularly if it plays a key
role in embracing extreme ideas that hurt more than they help. Hence,
a strong belief system without the power of critical reflection is seldom
a safe system. Without a serious and critical reflection of the value
of fitness versus health, Americans will continue to confirm their personal
bias while failing to seek disconfirming evidence. This sort of failure
in thinking is a problem because it results in unwarranted generalizations.
Fitness
in the 21st century should begin with the resources within you. What
do you think about the fitness clubs? Do you need to belong to be
physically fit? What does it mean to be fit? Are you healthy
when you are fit? What do you think about the fitness machines, weights,
and classes? Is the exercise at the gym worth it? Do you feel
better? Should you strive to be emotionally, mentally, spiritually,
and physically healthy, or physically fit?
In
that we are what we think, the key to defining the role of fitness in your
life may come only after you have unleashed a never-ending personalized
commitment to be healthy. The direction may take you to the gym or
it may cause you to act on a dream, an idea, or a place to think and/or
pray. The key ingredient to your success may be in the definition
of what is appropriate or proper for you, your life, and your challenges.
Forget
about pursuing goals talked about or believed to be important by others.
Instead, explore what turns you on and sets your course toward better health
(and fitness). Ask not what someone else thinks is the desired fitness
status to achieve, but ask yourself! What is realistic for you?
Focus on your needs, and what you can learn from empowering yourself to
act, think, and feel. Convert your physical challenges into opportunities
to realize your potential, and banish your fears and uncertainties.
Trust in your abilities to commit to act and to live your dream of attaining
health and happiness. Develop a plan to be creative and responsible
to turn what is into what can be!
This
kind of thinking is more than adapting to a certain fitness look or measuring
up to someone else’s standards. The interpretation of what is important
and what has meaning should come from within. You must take control
of your mind to take effective action and to improve the quality of your
life.
Hence,
beyond the idea of fitness lies health. Awaken the power within you
that can help enhance states of health and well-being and, if you truly
believe in your personal strength and endurability, you may well be on
the right road that many have missed. The search for fitness begins
from within and not in the gym. It is your belief in who you are
and what you can do because your mind has the power to create reality and
to exercise control over your health. It is up to each of us to actualize
our potential.
Giving
birth to a healthy state of mind and body is psychologically challenging
because we have failed to listen and to make time for ourselves.
The foundation of 21st century health lies solidly in each person’s commitment
and courage to face up to his/her specific responsibility to be healthy.
So, if you are in limbo where to exercise and how to do it, stop and think
what is right for you!
While
fitness often dictates uniformity and predictability, ignite the passion
from within to surpass the simplicity that you are just a physical creature
struggling to run faster, lift heavier weights, or to emerge as a TV look-a-like.
Dance in the joy of your strengths, both mind and body, and embrace the
dawn of the 3rd millennium not as an unraveling fitness nut who is afraid
of not buying the next new pair of running shoes, but as the person who
understands individual responsibility and the work required to empower
yourself. Good luck.
JUST
THINKING
Trusting
Relationships
Tommy
Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP
It
has been said that "...the challenge is managing to manage fairly." (1)
Fairness in the ASEP organization may be defined as fair treatment of members
in service delivered. Members are essential to committee work and
other services rendered to deliver the ASEP promise. Fairness therefore
is essential. It is the essence of an enduring relationship that
builds member motivation and retention.
Enduring
relationships share the same conviction that they can rely on each other.
Members trust each other, engage in open discussion and communication.
Participation in ASEP matters is essential. Everyone in the organization
can expect it, and everyone is supposed to pitch in given a strong sense
of responsibility, cooperation, and shared goals. Because the values
and beliefs are so important to unity, they serve as a form of glue binding
the members.
Effective
committee work requires that all members are treated with respect.
Committee chairs listen to feedback and ask questions. They offer
guidance, facilitate discussion, and provide a focus for interactive action.
They recognize the importance of tolerance and flexibility (2).
That
is the way it is with collaboration and relationships. They are not
static, but always changing. What those in committees do with and
to each other inevitably has an effect upon the outcome of the work.
ASEP committee members need to be close so as to reduce the possibility
of creating a distance between members, otherwise the relationship among
members suffer. The lack of communication makes a difference in what
is possible for each member within the committee (3).
Since
there is little trust and no true relationship if one person has all the
power, all members must enter into a power-sharing commitment to fulfilling
the work of the committee. In the end, the key component of the ASEP
organization is to make all members feel that they are, individually and
collectively, involved in the professionalization of exercise physiology.
References
1.
Bowen, D.E., Gilliland, S. W., & Folger, R. (1999). HRM and service
fairness: how being fair with employees spills over to customers. Organizational
Dynamics. 27;3:7-21.
2.
De Vries, M.F.R.K. (1999). High-performance teams: lessons from the pygmies.
Organizational Dynamics. 27;3:66-77.
3.
Fretheim, T.E. (1989). Prayer in the old testament: creating space in the
world for God. Paul R. Sponheim (Editor). A Primer on Prayer. Philadelphia:
Fortress Press. Pages 51-62.
ASEP
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