The Path of Professionalism
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP, EPC
Professor and Chair
Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811
Are
we ready and willing to wake up, to let go and open to our intrinsically
fleeting, illusory nature and allow ourselves to change?
-- Rob Preece [1]
Introduction
Issues, Challenges, and Politics
One of my greatest challenges as
co-founder of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists has been to help
colleagues reconcile two views of exercise physiology – namely, the ASEP view
and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) view. Not by coincidence, I first encountered ACSM
while teaching at Wake
Forest University
in the 1970s. In general, it was a good
experience. Later, my involvement with
sports medicine continued while teaching at the University of Southern
Mississippi in the 1980s. I remember presenting
research abstracts at the Southeast ACSM meetings, along with my students and
the faculty who were also encouraged to do the same. It was not until I assumed the chair position
at The College of St. Scholastica in the early 1990s that I felt the need to
help ensure the self-actualization of exercise physiologists.
From the beginning, knowing that
both organizations offer something very important in understanding
"exercise as medicine," I did not feel the desire to abandon one for
the other. Naively, I thought both could
benefit from each other. As a
consequence, Dr. Robert A. Robergs, co-founder of ASEP, and I wrote the
President of ACSM on more than one occasion to learn how we could work
together. It didn't take very long to
become aware of distinctions between ACSM and ASEP. This conclusion saddened us then and
continues to do so even now. Today, all
one can conclude is that the ACSM leaders stand firmly in their position to do
whatever they want to, regardless of the negative effects of several political
steps that have thrown obstacles in the ASEP path of professionalism in
exercise physiology.
American
exercise physiologists are being stymied not only by their association with
ACSM, but also by their failure of structures and systems within exercise
physiology, both of which inhibit action.
I found that you can work with
ACSM, but only if you gain approval to do so.
Frankly, living in America argues their path of self-aggrandizement to
be a poor and unprofessional method of survival and power.
This article will elaborate more fully on
what I mean.
To begin with, several
years after teaching at St. Scholastica, I completed a Master of Arts in
Management.
It was then I became
increasingly aware of the self-centered practices of the ACSM management
practices.
Not once has an exercise
physiologist from within ACSM come forth to ask how he or she might help ASEP,
not once!
Instead, everything the
organization has done, especially in the last several years, symbolizes an
unfolding plot to represent the profession of exercise physiology as well as
exercise science (even though both are the same).
This behavior stands in contrast to the
professionals I knew nearly 40 years ago.
Understandably, the path of
professionalism isn’t a simple one to travel.
All too often individuals fail to do the right things for the wrong
reasons.
I am continually taken by the
capacity of colleagues to distort exercise physiology (and sports nutrition) to
suit their personal inclination and financial interests.
Unfortunately, this is often done to maintain
and justify their sense of comfort and position as well as their feelings of importance.
I have seen how easily grown men and women
distort and confuse the meaning of professionalism and the basic principles
that underpin athletic performance.
This
is not to conclude that it isn't understandable that human beings make mistakes.
I understand “making mistakes.”
But, many people emerge from their mistakes as
better people.
Their work and existence
do not continue to feed on personal denial or lack of awareness of the effects
of their decisions.
In what follows, I have tried to
draw on experiences during the past 10 years with ASEP that can be seen as the professionalization
of exercise physiology. I am grateful to
those who have stayed the course and who understand that change is never easy. I owe a huge debt to the invaluable
experience of many people, especially those who don’t quit because life is difficult. Their fragile but instinctual cries for
something better for their students, for their staying power even with all the
obvious uncertainties, and for their strategies that have helped shape ASEP exercise
physiology, I am forever grateful.
Discovering Our True Nature
No one said developing a new
organization would be easy. Life isn't
easy. There are all kinds of
challenges. Old thinking and habit
patterns persists. The question is when
will exercise physiologists be willing to wake up, let go, and allow themselves
to change? Obviously, very early on I expected
exercise physiologists to give themselves over to the change process. What has really fascinated me is that this
hasn’t taken place as fast and as logical as it should. At the same time, the ASEP leadership has created
the infrastructure for the professionalism of exercise physiology. They can easily argue the importance of doing
so. Meanwhile, it seems that many
exercise physiologists are largely oblivious to the inappropriateness of remaining
within the umbrella of ACSM, which remains me of the following comment by the
authors of In Search of Excellence:
The Belgian Surrealist Rene Magritte painted a series
of pipes and entitled the series Ceci nest pas une pipe (This is not a
pipe). The picture of the thing is not
the thing.
-- Thomas
J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman, Jr.
In the same way, ACSM is not the professional organization of
exercise physiologists. It may be
painted in its literature and by the words of its leadership as the
organization of exercise physiologists, but neither is the real thing. It is clear to me that if exercise
physiologists aren't willing to see ACSM for what it is, then, the odds are
high that students will suffer far longer than they should. At a gut level, all of us in ASEP hope this
isn’t the case. After all, it is clear
that time has come to change our way of thinking. It is just a matter of time exercise
physiologists will take up the challenge and discover their true path as
healthcare professionals.
To tell the truth, I don’t know
the actual time course. What I do know
is that life is about adaptation and change despite the limiting personal self-conceptions.
Perhaps, we should remember that at no
other time has there been an effort to create a professional organization of
exercise physiologists. This sort of
thing goes beyond everyday functions and existence. And, therefore, no matter how many times
people in general hear about ASEP, they still have difficulty accepting
it. Their dependence on past thinking
isn't easy to give up or to even grasp for that matter. No one likes thinking he or she is caught in
the grips of someone else or some particular dogma, yet society wakes up to
this fact everyday that it is true nonetheless.
At some point, an inner impulse
to become who we were meant to be becomes inevitable. It is this inner calling that is critical to
the stimulus to change. As Rob Preece
[1] said, "It is as if they are being moved by a force in their lives that
is greater than themselves." ASEP
was founded in 1997 to help exercise physiologists find themselves; a new path
or journey to ensure their success.
Naturally, it is hard to accept that so many college professors have
been so slow in getting the inner impulse for change. Again, that is partly why change is a
process, not an event [2]. It is that
part of the change process that begins with asking the question, why don't exercise
physiologists have their own professional organization?
Regardless of the uncertainties,
there isn't any doubt any longer that it is time to ask questions about the
underlying assumptions upon which exercise physiologists have based their
relationship with ACSM. After all, the
organization is an umbrella gathering of individuals interested in sports
medicine and exercise science. Neither
is exercise physiology. Whatever social,
educational, and/or cultural conditioning that has occurred over the past 60
years needs analysis to understand and dislodge from the psychic. This is imperative if exercise physiologists
are to change, grow, and get beyond the sports medicine view of exercise
physiology, and the sports medicine leadership needs to allow exercise
physiology to change as well. Only then
can exercise physiologists have a chance to discover their true nature.
Trusting Our Instincts
Instinct is important in our
lives. Most people get this point. Whatever it is, it is real. Call it a protective force from within that
ultimately guides us in decisions we make or fail to make. From deep within us we learn to trust our own
thinking, however different or unpopular it may be from that of others. Trusting their instincts, the founders of
ASEP decided to stop with the status quo of ACSM. Their bias was to do something entirely
different. They were not paralyzed by their
previous association with ACSM. To some
degree, they understood that change is hardly ever easy or smooth journey. Above all, the intensity of feelings still hasn’t
kept them from respecting those who disagree with them.
But, they believe firmly that far
too many exercise physiologists have lost sight of “what is exercise physiology”
and “who is an exercise physiologist” and, in their opinion: if exercise
physiologists are to change and grow, they must allow themselves to become who
they instinctively believe they are.
This is the yearning that all evolving professionals seek. They are instinctively drawn to ideas and
beliefs that offer solutions to their problems, but at the same time understand
they will have new and different (and difficult) problems. This is exactly the emotions I have experienced
in working towards the professionalism of exercise physiology. The challenge of evolving is to break from
the comfortable conditions that take away the demands to face life's
challenges. Is it any wonder that
exercise physiologists remain attached to sports medicine for fear of losing
their security?
Hence, to emerge from the ACSM
illusion, exercise physiologists must be willing to let go of what is familiar. Exercise physiologists and no one else must
take on the responsibility to reorient their sense of what is meaningful, what
is valued, and what will bring forth their recognition as healthcare
professionals. But, once they respond to
the call and embark upon the journey of professionalism, they can grow and move
forward. Often they will encounter their
own mistakes and bad choices and run upon circumstances outside their control,
yet none of it is the issue. It is not
just okay to make mistakes, it is probably important to do so. What is critical is whether they are learning
during the journey, whether they are still embracing their inner sense of what
is the right and responsible path of self-discovery and credibility. It is during these moments of truth they know
it is okay to fail as long as they keep trying to move forward.
Committing to the Vision
Needless to say by now, the path
of professionalism is full of uncertainty and decisions. Not every curve in the road is free of problems. There will be blind turns, often in the form
of indifference [3] among those who cannot commit to the ASEP vision [4]. Commitment tends to raise fears associated
with the change process. To those who
cross the threshold of a new view of exercise physiology, there is no turning
back. They become inspired, and it is
inspiring to be in the company of such people.
Their transformation is humbling, knowing that negative thinking can be
reshaped and applied without anger or greed.
They learn to cultivate a disposition of professionalism and without
even thinking about it, they move in a way that is instinctively healthy for
exercise physiology.
Commitment to the right vision
leads to the courage to stand up and say enough is enough with non-exercise
physiologists manipulating exercise physiology.
This understanding comes from being true to oneself and living with
self-confidence and self-sufficiency, without the tendency to be controlling or
domineering. Once exercise physiologists
reclaim "who they are" consciously and align their intention with
that of the awakening minds of all professionals, their potential for
transformation is extraordinary. Personally,
it is a journey of self-actualization and total dedication (i.e., a 365/24/7
experience). Collectively, it is the
exercise physiology journey of awakening to an unfolding to grow and mature
through the stages of professional development.
The Awakening
The "awakening" is a state
of mind characterized by an active engagement in ASEP work to see the vision
become reality. This is presently the challenge of all challenges faced by the
ASEP leadership. To actively engage in the pursuit of exercise physiology as a
profession is vital. Of course this is
always true of the change process; taking responsibility for one's beliefs and
then facing the effects takes on a heroic attitude. This is what I have learned studying the
history of nursing, physical therapy, and other professions. Rather than running from their challenges,
the leadership in each faced them head on.
Exercise physiologists must learn how not to be wishy-washy or lacking the
will, the determination, or the capacity to commit themselves to the work of
building a profession.
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It
is up to us to set our own standard. Act like we don’t deserve it and
that just what we will get.
Act as professionals and we will be treated
with respect.
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Enduring the good efforts and
moments at defining exercise physiology along with the dissatisfaction,
indifference, and disappointments in friends and colleagues who no longer have
the capacity to endure is all part of the awakening (otherwise, known simply as
the “change process”). In short, living
the vision however problematic or distressful is the only way to realize its
reality. If exercise physiologists
didn't believe in the possibility of something better, the alternative can be
very hard to live with. The ASEP vision
or said somewhat differently -- the ASEP awakening, gives exercise
physiologists the inspiration to go out on a limb. They are encouraged to think boldly and ask
questions that often guide and strengthen their will to stay the course. As their quality of mind becomes fully
awakened, they begin to realize their profound sense of purpose of exercise
physiology.
Going Alone
The professionalism journey gives
rise to a sense of self (i.e., who is an exercise physiologist). Often, it requires severing ties with old
colleagues who persist in their old views of exercise physiology. To continue listening to their stories how
"it's all good with ACSM" makes no sense, as such stories often
distracts from the visionary thinking that underlies change. Hence, on one hand, to be a 21st century
exercise physiologist requires independence in thought and action. On the other hand, it requires relationships
with those who support the ASEP goals and objectives [5]. This is especially true since members of the
ASEP organization are engaged in a highly emotional process that is founded on their sense of truth that is objectionable
to ACSM. It is clear that ACSM is not
going to support ASEP. This may mean
that some ASEP exercise physiologists will have to learn to do their work alone
when there are no colleagues around to share their beliefs and feelings. Needless to say, eventually the process of
change will take shape with little bearing on one's history. It is then the way forward becomes
clear.
Putting It All Together
It is overwhelmingly agreed that
the majority of professional organizations today were founded decades ago. To the best of my knowledge, this is the
first time that exercise physiologists set out to develop their own
organization. While I agree that it
should have been founded in the 1960s at very least, it wasn't. Even after 40 years of research by exercise
physiologists and important recognition among the scientific community, they
did have their own Code of Ethics [6] until 1997 with the founding of
ASEP. How exercise physiologists account
for so long without their own Code is a function of their failure to unify from
the beginning. As a matter of fact,
there are a score of college professors who still subscribe to ACSM as their
organization. The fact that a good many
of the professional ideas, issues, and concepts that speak to exercise
physiology are completely new to exercise physiologists doesn't speak well for
the field.
Lumping dozens upon dozens of
undergraduate degree titles together as though they singly or collectively
represent exercise physiology makes no sense at all. The odd part about this widely accepted
concept of who is an exercise physiologist is that it is obviously
illogical. Knowing the origins of other
healthcare professions means exercise physiologists must involve the
distinctive quality of professionalism.
It is simply a contradiction to speak of an academic degree in
kinesiology or even exercise science, whether at the undergraduate or the
doctorate level, as a major in exercise physiology. This kind of failure to think right has been
the source of great stress for many individuals interested in this field. It unfortunate, but often the truth, that
they don't realize the differences until much later. For many of us, this truth is not that
difficult to grasp. It is a mental,
intellectual activity and, when properly understood, each person can see
clearly the importance of either transforming all other look-alike degrees to
exercise physiology or by addressing the emergence of new exercise physiology
degree programs.
The path of professionalism is a
mix of one's expectations and one's perceptions. It is the intellect along with feelings
generated by discovery ourselves that will keep us pointed in the right
direction. It is eminently more logical
to assume that it is just a matter of time before every exercise physiologist
understands the power of their own commitment to the change process. It is the answer. Putting it together means accepting the fact
that the ACSM perceptual distortion that keeps attention elsewhere isn't
helping the profession of exercise physiology.
That is exactly why exercise physiologists must recognize the negative
effects of a preconceived notion, such as ACSM is their organization. Those who think that way begin to believe
only what they want to believe and read only what they want to read, selecting
only information that fits the ACSM preconceived thinking and solutions. Blinded by ACSM perceptions, these
individuals fail to understand what they should be doing. This behavior isn't just unproductive, it is
destructive as well.
A Critical Mass
There is no question that a
critical mass of exercise physiologists would change the course of history of
exercise physiology. All of which raises
the question: When will exercise
physiologists decide to take control over "their" profession of
exercise physiology? Each person has
choices to make, and making the right ones would shape their world beyond
belief. Several additional questions are: When will they be willing to change? When will there be desire to integrate the
ASEP views and perspectives with core exercise physiology beliefs? It is time to create the critical mass, to
get beyond the false hope of sports medicine, and to stop the illusion.
We can make a difference! We are neither invisible nor inconsequential.
-- James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner [7]
Calling Things by the Right Name
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Title
is very important. I am an exercise physiologist. I am not
an
exercise scientist or a fitness professional. The academic area I work
in is exercise physiology. It is not exercise science, kinesiology, or
human performance. The title of the department is Exercise
Physiology. It is not the Department of Exercise Science. My
students get either an undergraduate or a graduate degree in exercise
physiology. My CSS students graduate as exercise physiologists with the
understanding they are responsible to the ASEP Code of Ethics and a
Standars of Practice [8]. Yes, please by all means...title is
important! The dominant culture of sports medicine may not
understand this point, but so what. Change demands new thinking,
and yesterday's mistakes simply don't cut it today. The ASEP 's
bias is one of orderly re-thinking exercise physiology .
This topic and future is now thier baby. Why not help them make
it work?
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There are many situations where different
names are used for the same thing. In
health, fitness, rehabilitation, and athletics, there are a dozen different
names for doing essentially the same job.
Aerobic instructor, personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach,
exercise specialist, fitness instructor, program director, personal trainer,
physical educator, coach, health consultant, exercise scientist, physiologist,
exercise physiologist are just a few of the names an exercise physiologist
might be identified with. I've written
about "what's in a title" before and, frankly hardly anything has
changed since then [8]. Recognizing
someone by the right title isn't just the right thing to do, it is the
respectful thing to do.
I don't know about you, but I
don't like being called by the wrong name.
Also, to gain some perspective, it doesn't set well with me when recent
graduates of an exercise science or kinesiology major call themselves by the
title, exercise physiologist. It is
wrong to do so. Of course, often times
the problem goes back to the faculty at the academic institution. I, too, have heard college teachers say,
"When you graduate, you can be an exercise physiologist or get a career in
physical therapy." The statement is
entirely false. First, the college
graduate cannot be an exercise physiologist without an academic degree in
exercise physiology or pass the ASEP Board Certification exam to earn the
professional title. Second, if it is
obvious that a college graduate from any academic major other than a physical
therapy major can become a physical therapist, then, why is it acceptable that
an exercise science major can become an exercise physiologist?
Deception is Wrong
Encouraging students to think
they are something other than the "actual major" they earn isn't just
misleading students, it is unethical behavior on part of the faculty. By example, regardless of how many nursing
courses a student may take from some college or academic setting, if the
courses are not taken from a nursing major in an accredited nursing program,
the student is wasting his or her time (and money). The same is true with law, medicine,
psychology and all other academic majors.
The only place it isn't true is with such majors as sports sciences,
human performance, exercise science, kinesiology, and one of 20 or 30 other
titles whereby students are led to believe they can called themselves exercise
physiologist [9]. It is as simple as a
department web page that identifies the "exercise science" major and,
then, concludes that "exercise physiologists" can find these kinds of
careers. Deception and misleading
statements of this kind are all too common at the undergraduate level in
colleges and universities throughout the United States.
The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their
right names.
–
Chinese proverb
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Calling
Dr. Phil a psychologist demeans the very nature of this protected title and
implies that he is licensed and governed by a state board, which he is not. It also serves to confuse the public about
the role and behavior of true psychologists.
-- Samantha L. Wilson, PhD
East Providence, R.I
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/04/letters.html
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Just a few years ago, I got into
a brief conversation with a young man who had just completed the master’s
degree from an institution other than the one I work in. He did not consider himself an exercise
physiologist. However, when I reminded
him that he had graduated earlier from my institution with an undergraduate academic
degree in exercise physiology, he wasn’t sure what to say. Obviously, with a degree in exercise
physiology, a person can say he is an exercise physiologist. But, while in graduate school, one of his
teachers convinced him that he needed the doctorate degree to call himself an
exercise physiologist. As crazy as it
might sound, this situation isn’t unique.
In fact, it is very common. Many
doctorate level exercise physiologists acknowledge that the undergraduate
degree in exercise science (or one of its variations) is so weak and poorly
conceived that at the very best a graduate might be correct to refer to him or
herself as a fitness instructor. Of
course, most are encouraged to earn a master's degree to then locate a job in
cardiac rehabilitation whereby they can call themselves clinical exercise
physiologist, not exercise physiologist.
Hence, on the one hand, given the uncertain
future of exercise science graduates, members of the faculty who encourage the
use of the "exercise physiologist" title believe that it is okay to
do so since it should help them locate a job.
On the other hand, there are faculty members who are dismayed by such
thinking. Since they believe an exercise
physiologist is someone who engages in research, and since only doctorate
prepared individuals usually do research, then, a doctorate degree is required
to be an exercise physiologist. Clearly,
there is so much misinformation, confusion, and deception that it makes no
sense at all for students to major in exercise science, kinesiology, or sports
sciences. Think for a moment, do you
know of any credible and financially stable exercise science positions in your
community. No, in fact, what you often
find out is that people applying for the gym jobs or the up-scale fitness
instructor jobs are making, perhaps, $12 to $14 an hour without medical benefits. And, to make matters worse, many of these
jobs are part-time, as is true with rehabilitation jobs at many hospitals
around the country. This has been true
for decades. Nothing has changed while
members of "established" professions continue to move forward with progressive,
timely, and correct thinking to ensure their future.
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Aside
from doctorate prepared exercise physiologists, any individual who has
passed the ASEP-EPC exam can represent him- or herself by the title, Exercise
Physiologists.
Anyone who has not
passed the ASEP-EPC exam cannot use the title, Exercise
Physiologist. It was not long ago similar discussions took place in physical therapy and other emerging professionals.
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Who is to Blame?
Up to a point, the students are
not to blame for the confusion or for majoring in a degree program that is not
career-driven. They are caught up in a
big mess that isn't likely to change until the academic degree itself becomes
an embarrassment to everyone involved. This
instability, which will most likely continue for decades to come, is part of
the overall reason for the founding of the American Society of Exercise
Physiologists. The ASEP leadership has created the organizational
infrastructure to further the growth of exercise physiology along the
professional lines of other established healthcare professions. Yet, it appears that it is still not clear to
many doctorate prepared exercise physiologists why the ASEP organization is
important to the profession of exercise physiology, even in face of the great
difficulties that associate with failure of exercise science.
The entire academic situation is
symptomatic of a poorly organized group of semi-professionals. It is very likely that the problem stems from
the lack of leadership within the academic settings across the United States. This is not a problem that exists only with
exercise physiology, although there is little comfort in this fact. Also, please appreciate that my thoughts aren't based on negative thinking. The fact is that at
some point specific members of different organizations do develop
negative attitudes. The reasons can stem from many different
factors. No one, including the ASEP leadership likes or enjoys
negativity. This article isn't about negativity. It is
simply a person speaking the truth, which may be interpreted as a
negative attitude by those who aren't interested in hearing the
truth. Thinking differently does not constitute being
negative. Change starts at the top, usually speaking, but when it
doesn't, then, it starts wherever possible. Frankly, I feel
somwhere close to the bottom but understand the why and knowing
otherwise also. Clearly, the truth is this: attitudes and
performances of some colleagues in non-ASEP organizations do in fact
reflect the management and leadership of those organizations. .
Thinking Right
No matter how successful exercise
physiologists have been in the college and/or university settings in terms of
publishing research papers, there simply is no excuse for not learning to think
right and create from the beginning a credible undergraduate degree in exercise
physiology. This outcome of professional neglect is not acceptable. Doctorate level exercise physiologists must
wake up and smell the roses. As Andre
Gide, a French novelist, once said, “One doesn’t discover new lands without
consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very short time.” Yet, this is exactly the strategic planning
needed at the college level. At the expense
of their colleagues failing to understand, the correct name has to be
used. It is imperative. Instead of an academic program graduating, for
example, exercise specialist, why not graduate exercise physiologists? Are exercise specialists teaching the
academic courses? No, are exercise physiologists teaching the generally
accepted core of courses usually taken by exercise physiologists? Surely, one wouldn’t expect the dentist to do
the medical doctors academic rounds and vice versa. Why is this point of view an accepted
understanding in other fields of study, but so poorly understood in exercise
physiology?
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A person’s name, title, or position does matter. Title is
everything, especially to those who understand its impact on professional
opportunities. It is no longer acceptable to say to the students something
like the following: It is not the program's name but the curriculum and
the faculty that determine the quality and expertise of its graduates.
Of course the curriculum and the faculty determine the quality, but the
expertise of its graduates is recognized only by the "title" of a
program. Title does matter. Ask any physical therapy student or a
graduate of a physical therapy program. The physical therapy or medical
doctor title opens doors, provides job opportunities, and is associated with
a certain respect for having accomplished a professionally recognized program
of study.
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The situation itself must
change. Nurses graduate either with a
two-year degree or a four-year degree and they are called nurses. They are hired as a nurse. This is responsible education and business. Why aren’t more exercise science programs
upgraded to exercise physiology programs at the undergraduate level doing the
same so they can rightfully graduate exercise physiologists?
The answer is not the
encouragement to get the master’s degree or the PhD degree or to plan for
post-doctorate work; all to keep the person in school because there aren't any
jobs in the public sector. Surely, exercise
physiologists responsible for teaching our young people across the United States,
can put their research down for a moment and look at the issue of "title"
straight on. This is an important point
because students need to see the faculty pulling together and cooperating on
behalf of exercise physiology and the students' shared journey towards a career
in the field. With a shared vision and
common purpose, there will be reasons to move in the same direction. In
time, a new common sense approach to exercise physiology will emerge
among exercise physiologists, hopefully all supporting the ASEP
insights regarding exercise physiology as a healthcare profession.
College Teachers or Teenagers
At times, I think the college
exercise physiology teachers are more like teenagers than adults! I have found them rebellious, and they want
their independence. But, perhaps worse
of all, they are reckless and tend to think the academic setting revolves
around them. By paying so little
attention to the needs of the profession so that students will be better
prepared for careers in health, fitness, rehabilitation, and athletics, they
are strikingly selfish. And, I can't
tell you how many academic exercise physiologists are concerned about their
appearance as researchers and fitting in.
The need to identify and be part of the sports medicine status through membership
is huge. As a group, they are seeking
their own rewards and largely ignoring the needs of the students.
The purpose of my comments is not
to run exercise physiologists down.
Rather, my intent is to bring to the surface the various intertwining
factors that either choose not to talk about or don't know that we should. Failing to engage these issues has kept our
students and, collectively, all exercise physiologists from a meaningful
future. The same journey has been faced
by other professionals. They understood
how critical it was for them to come together, support each other, and control
their problems. Their journey has been
purposeful and meaningful. The focus on
professionalism and credibility isn't unprecedented, simply a demonstration of
a level of maturity and responsibility required of all professions. It is a common story; the reality of which is
hard-won with continuous learning and discovery.
Time Starts Now!
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Exercise
physiologists almost never turn their research mind around to look at
themselves and their dependence on sports medicine. It is important that they learn think
outside the box. Otherwise it is
difficult to initiate change forwards when always looking backwards.
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Exercise physiologists must do
the same. First, it begins with
severance from sports medicine. Then, to
discover a new and larger responsibility to society, secondly, exercise
physiologists must initiate their own self-created rite of passage to become
authentic healthcare professionals. To do
so would create a journey of awakening that roughly equals the momentous step
of all other professionals who continue to find their own way for
sustainability. Perhaps, this is also
another way to say that exercise physiologists need a new mindset; one that
sees exercise physiology as a profession – not as a discipline. Exercise physiologists, in particular, need
to come together to talk, listen, and celebrate their profession, to share
common values, and to embrace sustainable pathways to ensure their future.
Now is the time to start. Too much time has already been lost. Our sense of identity and our sense of
reality must transition from yesterday's thinking [6] to the ASEP 21st century
of exercise physiology. It is only
natural and fitting, therefore, that exercise physiologists focus on doing
those things that will maximize their efforts as professionals. Clearly, every decision and every action is
felt to have consequences with the shift from sports medicine towards its own
sustainable future in healthcare of which exercise physiologists are an
integral part. This shift is much more
than a switch from one set of values, thoughts, and concepts to another. Anyone who is not supporting ASEP has not
understood the paradigm shift. It is not
an overstatement to frame the ASEP initiatives as an innovation that has completely
refigured the structure of exercise physiology.
But, in the meantime, exercise
physiologists must start calling things by their right names! Think of this point as a wake-up call needed
to let others know that exercise physiology brings to the table more depth to
the academic menu of possibilities.
Furthermore, it is time that academic exercise physiologists make an
historic choice: whether to continue with exercise science or to change the
title of the degree and upgrade it to exercise physiology. At this point in the history of exercise
physiology, there is a great need to choose which future will be the lasting
legacy to the world. Will it be exercise
science? Or, will it be exercise
physiology? This is a choice that will
be remembered forever.
An Image of the Future
The truth is without a positive
and hopeful image of the future, members of any profession are likely to
withdraw and gather around short term objectives. Imagine what would happen if you left home
without any idea of where you were headed.
Any direction would do. This
isn't appropriate at all if you needed to go directly to the McDonald's for
lunch. My point is rather simple:
without a image of the future to guide a person's behaviors and actions, there
is no argument for directional thinking.
This is exactly the problem, isn't it?
Because exercise physiologists failed in develop a vision, they have
failed to build a future for their students and what they do themselves. Their failure to imagine the future has resulted
in the use of dozens of different academic degree titles known throughout the
college and universities of the United States.
We must
become the change we seek in the world.
-- Gandhi
|
Remember the Bible says,
"Where there is no vision, the people perish." People,
in this case, represent students. Not being part of a vision, there is nothing
unique about the students' education or their long-term future. Failing to have a future in healthcare is
directly lined to not having an image of the future. Without an image of exercise physiology as a
healthcare profession, why would exercise physiologists support work in building
such a profession. In short, they aren't
likely to do so and that is the problem, isn't it? Whether it is called an image or a vision
either is a catalyst for positive actions and constructive development. Hence, it understandable, given the ASEP
vision, that the ASEP organization is organized around the emerging era of
exercise physiologists as having an integral part to play in healthcare. Eventually
the exercise physiologist's sense of reality, identity, social and educational
purpose will emerge as a common understanding and expectation for a better
future.
Here is an Idea!
Professors…Get Over the Illusion!
The
word illusion developed from the Latin ‘illusio which means the action of mocking
and from this usage came to mean intellectual deception [11].
In 2007 I wrote an article
entitled, "The Tragic Illusion of Exercise Science." It was published in the PEPonline journal [12]. I
understood then and still do today that an illusion is a
belief that has no real substance. The
article is more than 7000 words; all to get the point across. Having no real academic substance or career
credibility, exercise science is a tragic illusion. It persists because apparently the academic
exercise physiologists have adopted a belief that supports the illusion, which raises the question: Why
have they adopted such a belief? On one
hand, the answer lies in the fact that they are unwilling to confront their
beliefs, given their association with the ACSM.
On the other hand, the social pressure to go along is real, often acknowledged
as groupthink [13]. The irony, and the
tragedy, is that ACSM exercise physiologists have bought into the illusion
because their thinking supports their belief they are better off doing so.
Having bought into the tragic
aspects of exercise science doesn't mean the professors are nice people. Often times, individuals who would harm
anyone find themselves caught in situations where they do the wrong things. Keeping things as they are is a belief in the
illusion that it is the best thing to do because either it is comfortable or it
is beneficial to do so. Again, the
problem is that the belief is an illusion.
It is false, and continuing to believe in it hurts students. The answer to the mocking of the
students' desire to obtain a credible academic degree is that the professors should
start thinking straight, if not out of the box [14] about what they are doing. This means the professors must take the time
to consider the ASEP perspectives [15] and propositions that support its
efforts to develop professionalism in exercise physiology. After all, with just a little analysis, one
should be able to see that the perspectives are well-meaning, rational
strategies to design a better exercise physiology; one for everybody
interested, not just for the doctorate level exercise physiologists. This reminds me of the saying, “The customer
comes first.” In this case, “The student
comes first.” This can’t be a
breakthrough in thinking because it is simply too obvious.
Knowledge
is the opposite of illusion [16].
I believe it was Dale Carnegie [17]
who said keep your mind open to change all the time. Exercise
physiologists should welcome change. To
do so, they keep an open mind and examine the beliefs that underpin exercise
science. Who knows, they may just figure
out that it isn't a viable academic major after all. With new knowledge they can begin the
struggle to untangle exercise physiology from sports medicine. And, if some colleagues don't get it, then,
they will stay caught in the illusion.
However, whether it is repression ideas or culpable
ignorance, academic exercise physiologists cannot continue to turn a blind eye
to the ASEP organization. Also, let it
be said as compassionately and truthfully as I can: the ACSM organization, a sports medicine
organization, isn't demonstrating its best foot forwards when it continues to
promote exercise science. College
students deserve better, and I am tired of exercise physiologists blithely and
patronizingly dismissing ACSM's decisions as being appropriate, after all,
“ACSM took 20 years to develop its fist certification and still today continues
to miss out on doing the right things for the right reasons."
Also, the culpable ignorance of
college professors, that is to say, their blameworthy lack of historical and
contemporary knowledge on critical issues regarding professionalism,
credibility, and standards of practice must be pointed out and shown for the
harmful thing that it is. After all,
professors are sufficiently intelligent to have completed a college and/or university
education. They have no excuse for their
lack of knowledge. In fact, because they
are responsible for overseeing the academic exercise science major, they have a
profound obligation to get informed before students waste their tuition money
on a bad decision.
|
There is no
self-esteem without sacrifice. There is no sacrifice without being
exposed to the possibility of ridicule. There’s no way we can pursue a
dream without running the risk of people saying, “Who does he think he
is?”
--
Robert H. Schuller
|
William Faulkner [18] said, "Some things you must always be unable
to bear. Some things you must never stop refusing to bear: injustice and
outrage and dishonor and shame. No
matter how young you are or how old you have to get. Not for kudos and not for cash, your picture
in the paper nor money in the bank, neither. Just refuse to bear them." To repeat, some things, such as the illusion
of exercise science, is simply an injustice to academic integrity and it
dishonors students and their parents.
To not do something about it is
mental laziness and, even worse, doing nothing about it increases the students'
risk of not finding a financially stable and rewarding career after
graduation. Hence, what is thought to be
true about exercise science isn't true and, therefore, the illusion shuts the
door to professional opportunities. If exercise physiologists can get beyond
the inertia of past thinking [19], then, they can learn to get along with others
and come together to support ASEP and the professionalism of exercise
physiology [20].
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the
dark. The real tragedy of life is when
men are afraid of the light.
-- Plato
Recognizing the work towards
professionalism of other healthcare practitioners, is it no wonder there is
legitimacy in the ASEP effort to bring exercise physiologists together; to
converge around one essential and empowering truth: that there is little about
exercise physiology that is unilaterally determined by non-exercise
physiologists and organizations. Indeed,
this is the point – isn't it? Exercise
physiologists must transform themselves.
Their belief in themselves must triumph their dependence on the past,
then, and only then are possibilities infinite.
How do exercise physiologists
triumph the past? Very simply, they do
as Willis Harman said, "By deliberately changing the internal image of
reality, people can change the world."
In other words, listen up college professors, ASEP can change the face
of exercise physiology. Why? It is clear that the leadership holds images
of professionalism of exercise physiology, and they have images of their own
potential as healthcare professionals.
This is a fundamental and basic understanding of what makes reality,
however small ASEP may presently be or even as wild as it might seem that it
even exists.
Time is on the side of the ASEP
organization [21]. The change
"process" requires internalizing the reason for changing. Not
doing so is very likely why many exercise physiologists have not changed.
In fact, Berger [22] says, "Until the change…is internalized or
integrated, becoming part of the person’s sense of self, the change is unlikely
to take place." Berger also concludes that, "Ambivalence is a
major reason why people don’t change. If they do not know what to do, how
to do it, or do not believe they have the skills or resources to do what is
necessary, thus change usually does not occur."
|
Follow
through with what you begin and ‘stay with it.’
– Peter U.
Bender
|
Ambivalence is an excellent word
for what stands in the way of change from yesterday's thinking to today's
views. Some sports medicine exercise physiologists have simultaneous and
contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) towards ASEP,
its actions, and some ASEP leaders. Their ambivalence and indifference
explain a great deal about their behavior that would otherwise remain a mystery
[21]. Ambivalence provides a comfortable
excuse to avoid supporting the change process that has been initiated by the ASEP.
Yet, it is obvious that avoidance is seldom a good thing, especially when
change is critical to the well-being of thousands of students throughout the United States.
Maxwell [23] said that,
"Learning begins with listening. But it doesn't end
there." Change always requires learning. Why not become
genuinely interested in learning about the ASEP organization? Why not
believe the best in the ASEP leaders? All students have a right to the
best education possible. Think about what exercise physiologists can do to make
a difference. Change is work. It
is also a vision of something better and it requires a willingness to risk
something to gain something. In conclusion, remember what Leo Buscaglia
said:
The
person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes
nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn
and feel and change and grow and love and live.
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