In this issue, I have the honor to share with the ASEP readership the ASEP Update by the President of ASEP, Dr. Richard Kreider.  Please note that significant progress is being made around the world on behalf of all exercise physiologists.

Jesse Pittsley
Editor, ASEPNewsletter 
jlpittsley@yahoo.com 

 

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ASEP Update

Richard B. Kreider, PhD, EPC, FACSM, FASEP
President, American Society of Exercise Physiologists

Professor and Chair
Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab
Center for Exercise, Nutrition & Preventive Health
Department of Health, Human Performance & Recreation
Baylor University
Waco, TX 

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OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, ASEP has moving forward full steam ahead.  Not only have we been making progress in developing a first rate organization in the United States, but we have been making inroads in developing several international collaborations.  The following describes some of these efforts: 
 

1.  We have been working to improve our web site.  For example, you may have noticed revised/reorganized pages, easier navigation, and that a search engine is now available to do a keyword search for ASEP publications.

2.  The ASEP E-Newsletter has become very popular and has served as an excellent way to update members about ASEP activities as well as obtain feedback.  If you haven’t signed up to receive your free ASEP E-Newsletter, go to the following link to sign-up today.

 
Register for ASEP email updates



3.  Members have volunteered to help administrate various aspects of ASEP in order to help distribute the administrative load. 

4.  Ohio has been the latest state to organize as an ASEP state affiliate.  Others are preparing to do so.

5.  A number of universities are preparing to submit applications for accreditation with several schools recently receiving ASEP accreditation. 

6.  Plans are in the works to move administration of the EPC exam to Baylor University in 2003.

7.  Our publications continue to make members and non-members think about various professional issues related to exercise physiology.   Whether you agree or disagree with some of the commentary, the beauty of ASEP is that it serves as an open forum to discuss issues facing EPs. 

8.  More researchers are recognizing that JEPonline is a high quality, peer-reviewed, journal that is making an impact in the field by publishing quality articles that can be accessed by everyone in a timely manner.

9.  An ASEP-EPC Manual is currently under development.

10. Our membership drive is beginning to take effect.  New members are seeing the need and vision to professionalize exercise physiology and are joining ASEP, establishing student chapters, and develop state societies.  If your not a member of ASEP yet, sign up today at the following link.

11. ASEP is working on developing an electronic payment method for members and an members only area on the web site. 

12. ASEP is forging ahead with efforts to accredit academic programs, prepare Board Certified Exercise Physiologists, and pursuing licensure.

13. Several professional organizations in the U.S. and abroad have contacted ASEP to invite members to collaborate in conferences, workshops, and/or certification programs.

14. ASEP will be reinstituting a free job announcement service for members and institutions that are looking for qualified EPs.

15. We are making plans for our next national meeting to be held either in Las Vegas (if adequate and affordable facilities can be identified on or near the strip) or possibly at Baylor University.  Details will be made available as soon as a site is finalized. 

As you can see, ASEP is clearly moving forward in many positive and exciting ways.  As President, I appreciate all of your dedicated work on behalf of ASEP and encourage your continued commitment to ASEP.  It’s exciting to see that our efforts to build a better profession is gaining momentum and that many exercise physiologists throughout the U.S. and abroad are hearing and responding to our vision.  If you are not involved in helping ASEP move forward, I ask that you take steps to get involved.  Encourage your students and colleagues to become members of ASEP.  Get involved by writing articles, assisting in committee assignments, pursuing academic accreditation, and becoming a Board Certified Exercise Physiologist.  Finally, plan to attend our next annual meeting.   Together, we can make a difference!

Making a Global Impact
As I write this report, I am traveling back to the United States after delivering a series of lectures at the 25th Annual Polish Congress on Sports Medicine meeting (i.e., XXV Miedzynarodowego Kongresu Polskiego Towarzystwa Medycyny Sportowej) held at the Academy of Physical Education in Warsawa, Poland.  After this meeting, I traveled to present a lecture at the Academy of Physical Education in Kotawice, Poland to present a lecture to researchers, regional and national coaches (mostly soccer), and students.  In Poland, there are six major Academies of Physical Education (AWF).  Each has about 2000 – 3000 students training to become coaches, physical education teachers, exercise physiologists, and researchers. 

There is a significant amount of interest in exercise physiology and sport among the media and general population.  I was invited to visit Poland by Jerzy Popinigis, MD, PhD who serves as a distinguished Professor of Biochemistry at the Academy of Physical Education in Gdansku, Poland.  Dr. Popinigis has conducted some seminal research on the role of exercise on mitochondrial respiration.  Much of what we know about anaerobic and aerobic metabolism can be attributed to Dr. Popinigis’ research efforts.  For example, his work published in 1991 showed that lactate was not metabolized in the mitochodria as recently proposed by Dr. George Brooks.  His findings were recently upheld in a paper published by Dr. Ken Sahlin which clearly showed that the new lactate transport/mitochondrial oxidation theory that has recently gained attention in the United States is apparently not valid.  They are also doing some fascinating research on the regulatory role of protons on energy metabolism and mitochondrial respiration.  Researchers in Poland have a keen interest in exercise and nutrition research. 

In addition, I learned that they are experiencing many of the same difficulties regarding professional preparation and positioning of graduates that we are in the U.S.  The reason I point this out is because whenever I was introduced to audiences or interviewed by media, ASEP was on the forefront.  They are interested in our accreditation programs, certification programs, and journals.  They see ASEP as a needed and emerging force in our profession and are eager to collaborate.  I discussed with them the possibility of collaborating with ASEP in establishing a Polish Society of Exercise Physiologists as well as other professional affiliations. 

In addition to this international exchange, I will be visiting Italy twice this fall representing ASEP.  In November, I will be participating in a workshop on exercise programming, prescription, and nutrition that is being organized by the Federation of Italian Fitness (FIF) in Bologna, Italy.  Dr. Antonio Paoli contacted ASEP on behalf of FIF and requested that we help put on an ASEP endorsed workshop for their members.  At the completion of the workshop, attendees will be given a certificate of participation from ASEP.   We are also discussing establishing an Italian Society of Exercise Physiologists and holding the first international EPC exam in Italy in the spring of 2003.   In December, I will be lecturing at another Italian fitness conference being organized by Dr. Vittorio Bianchi.  Again, I will be encouraging members to participate in ASEP’s efforts to professionalize our field in the U.S. and abroad.  Finally, I have been contacted by a colleague in Finland about steps necessary to establish a society for exercise physiologist.  In other words, it is clear that we are making an impact, that exercise physiologists all over the world are listening, and that we not only have an opportunity to move the exercise physiology profession forward in the U.S. but also abroad.   If you have colleagues from abroad interested in professionalizing exercise physiology, please have them contact the ASEP national office to learn how they can become part of our vision to establish a profession for EPs. 

Let Your Voice Be Heard!
From time to time provocative articles are written by members of ASEP and published in PEPonline or JEPonline.  As with any journal or organization, one can not expect all members to agree with the positions taken and/or interpretations of results.  A true profession must be able to take praise and criticism.  Additionally, it is only through careful analysis and review of policies, research interpretations, and/or professional practice that professionals can confront and deal with issues that face their profession.  As President of ASEP, I don’t always agree with interpretations of research results and/or opinions raised by authors of articles.  Having an article published in one of ASEP’s journals does not mean that ASEP endorses the results and/or opinions expressed.  It simply means that reviewers of the article felt that the article was of sufficient quality to merit publication.  ASEP believes in an open forum to discuss issues of interest to EPs.  At times, opinions may be controversial, provocative, and thought provoking.  The author may express views of a minority while at other times opinions may be accepted by many.  For example, many EPs do not feel that licensure is the best course for our profession while others strongly feel that it is our only hope to develop a professional niche.  Some believe there is no need for EPs to have there own professional society while others feel it is time that EPs had their own voice.  Some feel that traditional exercise training techniques and dietary practices are all that is need to promote training adaptations while others seek to optimize the health and well-being of healthy and athletic populations by advancing the frontiers of exercise and nutrition research. 

What is so great about ASEP is that we value diversity of opinion and we don’t all have to have identical viewpoints.    This diversity of opinion may prompt some to act.  For a researcher, reading a paper that is poorly referenced and/or makes inappropriate conclusions may prompt a letter to the editor.  It may also prompt some to conduct a study to test the hypothesis.  I have often designed studies to test a hypothesis I found difficult to accept after reading an article.  With regard to professional issues, sometimes a provocative article may prompt members to respond by writing a letter to the editor, a review article presenting a contrasting viewpoint, and/or causing them to take action by getting more involved.  If you read something on the ASEP page that you strongly agree or disagree with, let your voice be heard by writing a letter to the editor, a comment on the ASEP Forum, and/or a review article in PEPonline or JEPonline.  We are interested in hearing from you.  Our profession will only move forward if we are willing to express our ideas and challenge traditional thought. 

Summary and Challenge
It is clear that ASEP has grown in scope and professional impact.  It’s time that each ASEP member takes an active role in supporting the growth and development of an exercise physiology profession.  As President of ASEP, I ask that you to renew your dedication to ASEP and participate in a meaningful way in one or more of its activities.  ASEP has laid the foundation so that we can build a better future for exercise physiology.  Now it is up to us to make it happen.  We can make a difference through ASEP if we work together to realize our vision. 

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