Believing in ASEP is Important
Mannie E. Hall Jr., PhD, MPH, FAAHEP
Master Teacher in Educational Technology and Retired U.S. Army
Director, Center for Educational Technology and Distance Education 
American Academy of Health Education and Promotion (AAHEP)
Virtual, USA

“It is better to be nobody who accomplishes something than a somebody who accomplishes nothing.”  -- A. Pudit 

As the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) emerges as a noteworthy professional organization, I’ve found the articles by Dr. Tommy Boone interesting.  His views of what the organization can do to secure a career niche are not just interesting, but on the right path as well.  The purpose of the ASEP organization is clearly stated, and without a doubt the leadership has demonstrated guts in making important decisions that have distinguished ASEP from other competing organizations.

Ultimately, however, ASEP must attract a substantial number of new members.  It would be fairly easy to argue that ASEP is doing its best given the circumstances.  The new ASEP board certification for exercise physiologists is one such major step in the right direction.  The second thing that is fundamental to any evolving profession is the emphasis placed on accreditation.  The public has got to have trust and confidence in exercise physiologists.  This is also why ASEP is important.  Imagine exercise physiologists without a standards of practice.  This was exactly the case before the founding of ASEP.

These accomplishments however come with a price.  It involves decision making that has not always been popular with existing organizations and their leadership.  But who said that organizations are democratic institutions?  Politics is obvious among all organizations.  All anyone can do is stand up for what he or she believes is right.  ASEP is doing a pretty good job communicating this to others.  The leadership is being heard and believed.  But, I’m afraid that not everyone is listening.  There is plenty of room to grow. 

One area of growth is still in the career niche opportunities for exercise physiologists?  Perhaps the ASEP leadership should invest more time in thinking about unique areas of work that will help the members and the young professionals become more skilled and qualified.  From a business view, is there a new product mix that has not been examined yet?  How can the ASEP perspective be marketed better to students?  Exercise physiologists have tremendous confidence in their research abilities; why not obtain other unique skills and qualifications (e.g., computer skills and distance learning) that are essential to securing a spot in the 21st century job market?

Sure it is nifty to gain the attention of sports medicine, generate a virtual platform for exercise physiologists, create accreditation and certification standards, and inspire a new generation of exercise physiologists, but what about the disconnect between the new generation of exercise physiologists and the older elite generation (i.e., those who have elevated themselves to academia)?  Are those individuals in academia doing their best to establish cutting-edge exercise physiology curricula that prepare students for the 21st century job market?  Can you teach an old dog new tricks?  Does an old dog want to learn new tricks?  Maybe a survey might be helpful in finding some answers to these questions?

Of course the work that would go into developing a survey and carrying it out should not be just on the backs of the ASEP leadership.  They are working pretty hard doing a lot of things on behalf of the members.  Maybe interested members might develop a genuine interest in gathering “informative” data about what exercise physiologists think.  What do you think?  Maybe members could get more involved in the passion for change.  Has anyone read Boone’s work?  He has asked dozens of questions in his articles.  He has poured his heart into writing about exercise physiology.  Maybe it is time to jump in and tell everyone that we “believe in the cause” and the vision of ASEP, right? 

Beyond that, I think it is a matter of persuading friends, teachers, and colleagues to read and think about the ASEP vision.  And I think it is critical that we speak to everyone to make sure that they can get involved in the ASEP organization.  This reminds of something years ago, “It is impossible to communicate too much.”  If we really believe in where we are going, and we believe it is right (as Boone has suggested), then we need to do whatever we can do to make it happen.  This is critical to becoming a leader in the healthcare industry.  Many roadblocks have been broken since the founding of ASEP, and we should be happy with our core effort.  But, there is a lot of work yet to be done.  Aside from the very important question, “What is good for our students?”  -- We need answers to the following questions:

1. How can we capitalize on career opportunities? 
2. How can we inspire changes in lifestyle and beliefs about disease?
3.  What is our role in the epidemic of obesity? 
4. How should we educate students in the area of public health? 
5. Do young exercise physiologists know how to write grants? 
6. Are the young students today part of the computer generation? 
7. Is there a way for the new generation and the older generation to close the gap? 
8. Do professors have the skills and/or desire to effectively employ educational technology for the purposes of promoting learning and connecting with the computer generation? 
9. Could ASEP spearhead an effort to promote the infusion of educational technology into the field of exercise physiology? 
10. Would educational technology skills assist young exercise physiologists get better jobs and also help professors improve their teaching in a way that connects with the computer generation?

Answers to these questions are important.   We need to constantly challenge ourselves by asking questions and building a culture of professionalism and self-renewal.  And, finally, I believe the following quote is especially important to all exercise physiologists:

“If you don’t know where you are going, you will end up somewhere else.”  -- L. Peter

I believe ASEP has the understanding of where it is going.  Its vision is a statement of fact that basically identifies the intended conditions of its success.  It is a destination and, presumably, an objective for all ASEP exercise physiologists.  Why not get involved with the work of the ASEP organization?  What could be better than advancing the common welfare of all exercise physiologists in the United States?