On Becoming an Exercise Physiologist
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, MA, FASEP, EPC
Professor and Chair
Director, Exercise Physiology Laboratories
Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811

“If you want to truly understand something, try to change it.” – Kurt Lewin

For whom has this article been written?  That is an easy question to answer.  When one considers the evolving nature of exercise physiology, and the diverse variety of people interested fitness and personal training, it is written for the exercise physiologist.  In particular, I would like to direct my attention to people who are interested in becoming board certified exercise physiologists.  Thus, this article proceeds from the conviction, and it will try to confirm this in the process, that self-regulation through an exclusive exercise physiology certification is at the heart of credibility in regards to supervision and instruction exercise and fitness in the public sector.

Ultimately what is important in this brief article is this: “We must not only respect our students, but we must care for their development as well.”  We must do whatever it takes to insure their future in exercise physiology as a healthcare profession.  Although this belief may not self-evident to all exercise physiologists, the change process begins with us.  The idea that it is okay for fitness instructors to think of themselves as exercise physiologists is all too common and entirely incorrect.  There is a huge academic difference between the fitness instructor and the exercise physiologist.  Though this should be obvious, it isn’t. 

Since we know this to be true, why do we continue to see the proliferation of fitness instructors and personal trainers?  One reason may be the result of exercise physiologists failing to speak out on behalf of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP).  Another reason may be that too many exercise physiologists simply don’t want to get involved.  Still another reason is the lack of a vision and missed opportunity to utter something other than, “But we have always done it this way.”  I attribute this gigantic error of omission to groupthink.  The key to understanding these concerns is based on the history of what other healthcare professions have done, how they did it, and why?

Despite the need to support [the] professional organization of exercise physiologists, ASEP, many exercise physiologists remain reluctant.  Their research and/or other organizational concerns appear to have de-emphasized one of the most important characteristics of a “profession” (i.e., having one’s own professional organization).  Professionals must accept the basic premise that they need their own professional organization.  It is not a simple matter of saying, “But, I belong to ‘A’ organization, and it is my professional organization.”  That is not the way healthcare professions works.  To argue such a view is a waste of time.  But, of course, people do it because they dread change.  Some exercise physiologists are fearful of change.  Others resent change with every fiber of their body.  Still others resist it but come around in time. 

The grip on fixed beliefs keeps many people committed to an old way of thinking.  To change one’s thinking is a challenge, but it is doable with trustworthy leadership.  Men and women who are willing to put their names and reputations on the line inspire others to do so.  They give hope to the hopeless, strength to the fearful, and energy to the drained.  Their ideals galvanize shared thinking that helps to make things happen.  Hence, although the gatekeepers may not know it, they will come around.  It is inevitable that they will come to understand what separates professional exercise physiologists from personal trainers and fitness instructors.  Students of exercise physiology as well as students of related academic programs will come to think of exercise physiology as they do physical therapy or nursing.  Thus, arguably, the most important impact on exercise physiology is inspired leadership.

The ideas and changes in exercise physiology that have resulted from the ASEP organization are so powerful that they cannot be ignored.  The implications are obvious and, once academic exercise physiologists get out from under groupthink, the importance of exercise physiology will be recognized.  The danger of staying the same is great and unthinkable.  This has always been a powerful motive for the ASEP leadership to find security and comfort in knowing they are doing the right thing for the right reasons.  They have changed the style and way of thinking about exercise physiology, thus allowing for a spirit-filled expectation of something good, credible, and better for all students and professionals in the field. 

Somewhere, I read that “You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather is.”  It seems to me that the leadership of the ASEP organization is doing just that.  Individual members are growing and they are doing it on their own, which reminds me of the following few thoughts:

Reflection leads to new ideas.
Ideas are viewed as possibilities.
New possibilities lead to encouragement.
Being encouraged brings hope.
Hope gives rise to a vision.
Visionary thinking leads to beliefs.
Desire and beliefs become shared thinking.
Thinking leads to action and doing.
Doing gives life to a new reality.

Our new reality is the ASEP organization.  It alone allows us to be who we are and who we wnt to be.  It allows us to change the way things are and make things happen as we believe they should.  The concept has never been so simple.  The ASEP leadership has taken the complexity out of being an exercise physiologist.  They see relationships in a linear and sequential way just as other healthcare professionals have done for decades.  It goes like this (and not necessarily in this order): 

First, the infrastructure for of the professional organization is built.  That requires developing a code of ethics among other important considerations.  A Board of Directors is created followed by numerous committees.  The bylaws and constitution are agreed upon.  The organization is incorporated.  A business plan is devised and put into place. 

Second, numerous committees are created with members assigned to carry out specific functions.  The web site and presence of the organization is established. 

Third, select members of the organization create a national certification that identifies the exercise physiologist.  The standards of professional practice for exercise physiologists are written and agreed upon, then published and embraced by all members. 

Fourth, a means of market the organization and its intent within the public sector is carried out by the development of brochures and electronic journals. 

Five, with as little ambiquity as possible, dozens upon dozens of other functions are recognized and planned out.  This includes, but is not limited to, the determination of what is appropriate to accredit academic programs in exercise physiology. 

In the end, after the 14th and the 42nd step (and, frankly, too many steps to mention) the idea becomes reality.  This is part of the story of becoming an exercise physiologist.  It would be tragic indeed if we were not up to the task.  Fortunately, the overall conceptual schema for ASEP as [the] professional organization of exercise physiologists is presented throughout the hundreds of articles published in the Professionalization of Exercise Physiologyonline journal.  PEPonline is not just another journal.  It is the essence, the sum and substance of all that is necessary to understand the professional development of exercise physiology.  Let's pull together and stand tall for each of us struggling to become what we believe we were meant to be.  Becoming is always challenging.  It is never gender or age specific.  To care and to share requires passion for becoming an exercise physiologist.  Dare to confront your fears.  Of passion itself, Anthony Robbins [1] says that:

"It's passion that causes Pete Rose to dive head first into second base.  It's passion that causes people to stay up late and get up early.  It's passion that people want in their relationships.  Passion gives life power and juice and meaning.  There is no greatness without a passion to be great, whether it's the aspiration of an athlete or an artist, a scientist, a parent, or a businessman."

Reference
1.  Robbins, A. (1986). Unlimited Power. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.