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Editor-in-Chief
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, MA, FASEP, EPC
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Leaving the Old
Reality Requires New Thinking
Tommy Boone
Professor
and Chair
Department
of Exercise Physiology
The College
of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN
55811
“Settle
for nothing less than the best!" – Robert H. Schuller
When you imagine an exercise
physiologist, what picture comes up? Do you think of the PhD exercise
physiologist in a classroom or a laboratory? Do you think of Nathan
French, an entrepreneur master-prepared exercise physiologist [1]?
Or, do you think of a friend who has worked hard to get two college degrees
who has a $12/hr job at a fitness center? The image of exercise physiologist
in the United States is a kaleidoscope created by young men and women of
all ages. They engage in the practice of exercise physiology without
realizing it. Many refer to themselves as exercise physiologists when,
in fact, they are not. As it stands presently, only a few professionals
in the field are actually certified by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists
(ASEP). The list can be obtained from the ASEP web site [2]. Fortunately,
the list is growing. It’s a matter of time before everyone accepts
the EPC exam as the path to professional development.
However, I’m always
just a bit restless about the time factor. Given my desire to see a
more rapid change in exercise physiology, I find myself a little dissatisfied
and uneasy. My restlessness manifests itself in more editorials and
articles than I want to write. It is my hope that my writing is not
a problem to others. My only wish is that we come to the realization
that the starting point for our new reality (which is, in part, a new image)
begins with letting go of the old reality [3]. The need for change is
great. The old way hasn’t worked. In a profession built on academics,
there isn’t any reason for members to earn $12/hr. The new way is working
for some, but there are exercise physiologists who are still undecided (i.e.,
the in-between period). They are having a hard time of letting go of
the old reality. Their attention to the new reality isn’t as it should
be. They live in the in-between period of what has been and what will
be.
Once a new idea
reaches a critical level of appreciation and value, those who have engaged
in subtle or even more engaging conversation about it realize that they are
in battle with a new experience. The idea is often times considered
stupid or not possible. In time, though, the idea gives birth to other
ideas of hope and possibilities. The entire undercurrent of new thoughts
and dreams represent the transitional thinking from the old to the new.
Each new thought begins with the ending of the old thought [3]. But,
as we know, change is a collection of many thoughts and feelings.
Teachers who are still in the in-between period often, have a habit of keeping
their students locked in the old reality. This in itself is also the
“transition period” into the new reality; a period that is also part of the
powerful institutional inertia of academics [4].
What is important
to understand with the in-between period is that the process is well underway.
The old way of thinking about exercise physiology is undergoing significant
changes however uncomfortable it feels. Accepting new ideas is always
a slow process. It is linked to our past thinking. Bridges [3]
made this point in his book, Managing Transitions, “…you actually struggled
for a time in a state that was neither the old nor the new.” Becoming
part of the new way to think is a struggle, but a natural one. This
is where I have to work the hardest because I am encouraged by support and
fight all kinds of emotional battles when there isn’t support. Of course,
while my heart is beyond the in-between zone, I understand the discomfort
others must be experiencing.
“It is
a terrible thing to look over your shoulder when you are trying to lead and
find no one there.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
ASEP is the seedbed of new opportunity
for all exercise physiologists. It is both in the middle of the zone
and the trigger for change. ASEP is, according to the French poet,
Paul Valery, the essence that: “Every beginning ends something.” This
is at the heart of our most serious emotions about ASEP. The very existence
of the ASEP professional organization is the transition that is ending the
old way of doing things. It is the means to decreasing anxiety and asking
questions. Without the organization, there is no way to deal with exercise
physiologists who have stopped caring about undergraduate students.
With it, there is the increased likelihood that status quo will be challenged,
that the feelings that associate with change will be less frightening, and
that the confusion will subside.
While it is true
that the new reality replaces the old reality, it isn’t instant. It
is full of restlessness and discipline. It is also full of different
forces (in the form of beliefs) that help drive the transitions. For example,
I strongly believe in the value of a college education. It is the foundation
for professional development. I believe in the highest quality application
of exercise physiology in the public sector. I believe in getting students
involved as early as possible in the professional development of exercise
physiology. I believe exercise physiology will be recognized as a healthcare
profession. At the gut-level of my being, I know that significant professional
steps have already been made by members of ASEP. And, at the same time,
needless to say, more could have been done faster. My role is an enabler.
I encourage anyone who is reading this article to speak about ASEP, the professional
development of exercise physiology, and to get involved with the new reality.
Where possible,
seize the opportunity to get involved with ASEP. There is no doubt in
my mind that opportunities exist to do so. We are part of a major force
in helping the public sector with health and wellness issues. And,
as a result, we are in less need of others helping us to understand our strengths
and more in need of helping ourselves. Student and teachers can make a contribution.
Learning to apply the ASEP thinking to solve our problems can be enjoyable.
Why not make a stand, take a chance, and pay the price for credibility, respect,
trust, and professionalism? Why not? Why not develop an insatiable
appetite for professional opportunity for all exercise physiologists?
The articles published in the Professionalization of Exercise Physiology
–online and the recently developed, Journal of Professional Development,
introduce and explain the process of professionalism.
“It is
easier to withstand criticism when you are right for the right reasons.” –
William T. Boone, Jr.
Is exercise physiology worth
it? Is it a career for you? Is it worth fighting for and working
for? After more than three decades as an exercise physiologist, I
can say without question, the answer is yes. It is my life, and I
am fortunate to have excellent friends who have the same beliefs as I do.
In short, they, too, are overwhelmed and honored to be part of exercise physiology.
Collectively, we have done what is necessary to get the ball rolling (i.e.,
the reality of exercise physiology as a healthcare profession). Have
we done everything right? No, but who hasn’t made some mistakes.
Frankly, we have accomplished a huge amount of work in a very short time
period on the back of the motto: “Act now and fine-tune later.”
The ASEP emphasis
is on getting the job done. If members are not making mistakes, they
are not taking risks. Exposure to new ideas requires risk taking if
we are to create the future we want. It is a style of thinking that
fosters creativity and leadership. The ball is in our court! Why
not encourage exercise physiologists to think of:
Exercise
physiology as a healthcare profession.
Exercise physiology professionals at
the forefront of fitness, health, rehabilitation, and athletics.
Exercise physiology as an academic area
of study from within Department of Exercise Physiology.
A positive image of exercise physiologists
as credible and trustworthy professionals.
All exercise physiologists united with
a single determined voice.
The public sector where exercise physiologists
are respected for their knowledge and hands-on skills.
The title “exercise physiologist” governed
by a legal definition.
Exercise physiologists with their own
recognized standards of professional practice.
The ASEP definition of Exercise Physiology,
and the important ideas in the definition [5].
Exercise physiologists as leaders in
creating a shared vision for better health, fitness, rehabilitation, and
athletics.
The healthcare profession is
more than personal training. The role of exercise physiology in healthcare
is increasingly competitive. The professions of nursing, physical
therapy, occupational therapy, and nutritional science have been at it forever
in comparison to the recent restructuring of exercise physiology. Physical
therapists, for example, have a tremendous professional organization with
the administration and agenda to ensure that physical therapy not only survives
but grows as a healthcare profession. We are challenged in countless
ways to demonstrate our worth, our place alongside other healthcare professionals,
and our technology and its value in understanding and applying physiological
concepts. But, on the positive side, those who seek better healthcare,
fitness development, and athletic enhancement do so with the intent to get
at the very best information possible. Fortunately, our scientific base
has an organizational hierarchy that helps us deal with the public’s concerns.
This is why exercise physiologists are on the cutting edge of a revolution
in healthcare.
“No system
can endure that does not march.” -- Florence Nightingale
New thinking is synonymous with
a new reality. Keep the faith, and keep dreaming. Keep probing for answers.
It is normal to be a happy exercise physiologist. And, it is okay to
set challenging goals and do what seems to be an impossibility. I am confident
that if there is a will, there is a way. No matter what others may
say, expect to succeed. The good news is that one day our faith will
create circumstances that will put us in the middle of our dream. Trust
in the new reality. Keep the faith. Robert H. Schuller said it:
“Faith
is not a contradiction of reality, but the courage to face reality with hope.”
[6]
References
1. French,
N. (2003). Arete HealthFit. [Online]. http://aretehealthfit.com/
2. American
Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2003). Board Certified Exercise Physiologists.
[Online]. http://www.asep.org/asep/asep/ASEPBoardCertifiedExercisePhysiologists.html
3. Bridges,
W. (1991). Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change. New York,
NY: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.
4. Boone,
T. (2003). Overcoming Institutional Inertia with Leadership. Professionalization
of Exercise Physiology – online. Vol 6 No 2 February 2003. [Online].
http://www.asep.org/asep/asep/OvercomingInstitutionalInertiaWithLeadership.html
5. American
Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2003). ASEP Board of Certification Standards
of Professional Practice. [Online]. http://www.css.edu/ASEP/StandardsofProfessionalPractice.html
6. Schuller,
R.H. (1983). Tough Minded Faith for Tender Hearted People. New York, NY: Thomas
Nelson Publishers.
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