PEPonline
Professionalization
of Exercise Physiologyonline

An international electronic
journal for exercise physiologists
ISSN 1099-5862
Vol 3 No 9 September 2000


 
Exercise Physiology Insights
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP
Professor and Chair
Director, Exercise Physiology Laboratories
College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN


ONE VERY COLD MORNING I parked my car on the campus of The College of Saint Scholastica and got out to look not at an old familiar scene, but instead an academic Department of Exercise Physiology located in the Science Center.  I always knew deep down in every exercise physiologist’s heart there is a special place for understanding the meaning of having one’s own department.  Often when I had driven by a college I looked for the Exercise Physiology faculty in the Department of Physical Education.  After a few years, I found exercise physiologists in Departments of Kinesiology and, of course, all of us are aware of the dozens of department names that exist today.

This time I stopped, smiled, and glanced at the Science Center.  I had seen science buildings before, but this one really looked good.  Everything came together at that moment as I walked inside the building.  Later that day I drove away wondering how many other exercise physiologists might like my job.  Since then I have come to appreciate that “someone had seen the commonly unseen” (1).  Someone had been able to see what others had failed to see.  “What do you see when you look at an exercise physiologist?”  It dawned on me how important it is to see correctly.  No one is born into the confusion that exists within exercise science / exercise physiology.  We learn to adjust to “what is”, and if we can learn to do that, then we can be taught to unlearn what is for “what can be”. 

I remember how reverently I used to open the First Edition of ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (2) and, later, the same reverent feeling for the First Edition of the Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (3).  There isn’t any question that both books are an authoritative source on the subject of exercise testing and prescription and, equally so, that the contributors are experts and well-known in sports medicine and exercise physiology.  The development of both books and the subsequent editions of each (4) are more than good people doing good things, however.  The idea itself and, then, the realization of the books, as products, suddenly moved ACSM from a meeting place for research to an authority figure that has had a considerable impact on health, fitness, and rehabilitation. 

The unseen part of sports medicine is what I have been working to understand and to make peace with.  All I can say is that I have respect for those who continue to dedicate themselves to sports medicine even though I think they have been deceived, perhaps by their dedication as professionals.  The real world of exercise physiologists is not sports medicine, which has a different temperament and a more intricately designed platform for inclusion of individuals from different professions.  This was quite an insight for me a few years ago and, only rarely, do some of us have the opportunity to awaken to the unseen within what we do.  When it happens, it is frequently mis-understood by colleagues.  Instead of being supportive, they turn away for fear of being recognized as party to “something bad”. 

I recall several friends who are always at the ACSM meetings over a 20-year period, who now don’t have time to talk and share stories.  Some of them I even taught years ago.  Now, they are “regular” sports medicine personalities who have little room for the commonly unseen.  Is it possible, I have wondered, that we in ASEP have been too dedicated to exercise physiology?  If that is the case, is our effort any less important than other professionals who have done the same in sports biomechanics, sports psychology, or cardiac rehabilitation?  Personally, I have great respect for every ASEP member who is willing to work on behalf of developing exercise physiology.  Transforming one thing to another is always an uphill battle, and every ASEP member involved in exploring and developing the unseen deserves respect. 

The world I live in today is the spirit of finding a reason for life and work, and how each gives each of us a sense of contentment.  Why would anyone want to continue as one thing when he/she thinks of him- or herself as something else?  It doesn't make sense to not create the opportunity to bring true happiness and delight to exercise physiologists who feel the same.  Life is too short to not be aware of what causes us to rise to our very best.  That’s why living in the right world sets the stage for inexhaustible possibilities.  That’s why ASEP members have the strength and endurance to cope and, yet the strange part about all of this is that the sports medicine theme has not changed across many years. 

Consider, for example, the following brief quote from the “Foreword” of the 1988 Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, “…an authoritative text was urgently needed that could be used to advise all levels of professionals from the physical education student to the practicing physician.” (3)  No where in the Foreword is it stated that the authoritative text was written for “Exercise Physiologists” to enable them to keep up with the “exercise revolution”.   Also, the following brief quote from the “Preface” of the Resource Manual (3) is consistent with the same thinking, “Authors were asked to write at a level appropriate for persons beginning graduate studies in the health sciences and related areas.”  Again, it is clear that the First Edition of the Resource Manual was not written for the exercise physiologist. 

Now let us imagine that had the Resource Manual been written for the exercise physiologist, then there would have been a certain recognition of exercise physiologists as the experts in understanding the specifics of exercise testing and prescription.  That feeling would have been a statement of faith in exercise physiology.  I am convinced that the truth of the matter is that some sports medicine personalities simply do not want exercise physiologists to realize their rightful professional position.  Why, after all, who or what group would stand to benefit? 

The hard facts are that professionals are suppose to have the right to find their true place in life.  Sports medicine is (can be) worth-while but it is not exercise physiology.  I don’t know why more exercise physiologists don’t understand this point, which remains me of a story told by Bach in his wonderful book, The Power of Perception.  “…when I visited Avery Cooke, who was observing his centennial birthday.  There he was, walking like a man of sixty….I asked him the inevitable question, ‘To what do you attribute your long life and your wonderful health?’  Well, I’ll tell you, he said, I just never expected anything else.  I expected I’d live to see a hundred.  I expected to be well.  I expected to be just what I am, so there is no miracle about it at all.” (1)  The miracle of expection puts the mind to work to realize one’s goals.  I, too, will tell you that I just never expected to be anything but an exercise physiologist.  I have always expected to be treated as an exercise physiologist.  I expected, since the early 1970s, to be an exercise physiologist.  I expected to be just what I am, so why would anyone expect me do anything different from ASEP?  It is an honor and a privilege for me to associate with ASEP, and to plan our agenda for what we believe is important for all exercise physiologists. 

If you believe in the ASEP Vision and its Goals and Objectives, then you must come to the same understanding that I have in recent years.  That is, with all due respect to the ACSM organization, even today in its Third Edition of the Resource Manual, exercise physiologists, while referred to as allied health professionals, are no more important than nurses, physical educators, physical therapists, and registered dietitians in assuming a role in exercise-based prevention programs.  In short, as stated in the Foreword, “Those who master the material in this volume will be especially well-prepared….” (4) My question is “Why is the Resource Manual prepared, as stated on page vii, for the “exercise professional” and/or the “fitness professional” and not for the exercise physiologist?”   Before you start laughing at me, I do know the answer to the question.  I was just thinking that it ought to be written out in this brief article for a brief contemplation.

Believe me when I say I have my eyes on my dream, and the dream of many exercise physiologists.  I am confident, even without a change in thinking and thus printed word in the Resource Manual across 10 years, that we, by our own doing, bring ourselves to our own point of destiny.  Therefore, put it down as coincidence if you must, but the reality is that our trustworthy ship, ASEP, floats because we believe in it.  It is real and very exciting.  It is ‘the’ organization for all exercise physiologists.  So, think about it.  If you have limited yourself from speaking out about ASEP, why not see there is honor in working on behalf of exercise physiologists.  You don’t have to give up your relationships with sports medicine and your colleagues.  In fact, believe me, I respect my friends who disagree with my beliefs and work.  I have found strength to forgive when their actions were less than kind.

My hope in working with ASEP is that those who hesitate may be encouraged by the examples of its members.  I do not bring to this work much experience from having worked as an official in sports medicine or other organizations.  Instead, I am grateful for the good fortune to be associated with St. Scholastica, its administrators, the ASEP Committee members, and the ASEP President who have been willing to assists in changing the world of exercise physiology.  Not everyone will agree with everything about ASEP.  Not everyone needs to.  I understand my feelings about sports medicine and why I’m involved with ASEP.  Its not that I hate sports medicine or that I need to forgive its members for not thinking as I think.  Despite our differences, we have a lot in common.  ACSM might in fact be our ultimate teacher!

It is one of the ironies of history that, in time, our differences will be resolved.  The doors to the future we all long for will open as we right the wrongs and resolve our conflicts.  With your help we will achieve our vision, goals, and objectives faster, and that is important to all of our undergraduates who are looking forward to a professional career in exercise physiology.



References

1. Bach, M. (1965). The Power of Perception. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc.
2. American College of Sports Medicine. (1975). ACSM’s Guidelines for Graded Exercise Testing and Exercise Prescription. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger.
3. American College of Sports Medicine. (1988). Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger, page ix.
4. American College of Sports Medicine. (1998). ACSM’s Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. Baltimore, Maryland: Williams & Wilkins.


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