The
Role of ASEP in the Professional Development of Exercise Physiology
Tommy Boone
Professor
and Chair
Department
of Exercise Physiology
The College
of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN
55811
“If you think you can’t, you won’t. If you think you
can, there is a good chance you will. Making the effort is important.
Reputations are made by searching for things that can’t be done, and doing
them.” -- The Credo by Bassett
Building a Shared
Future
Building
a shared future in exercise physiology is not a matter of chance. It
is not something to be waited for. It is something to be achieved.
As in a “shared vision” or a “shared commitment”. It is the understanding,
as Max DePree put it, that “we cannot become what we need to be by remaining
what we are”.
Illusion
of Shared Thinking
The illusion
of shared thinking results when we fail to invent our future, when we fail
to face up to difficult issues, when we fail to reshape our thinking, when
we wait for someone else to do something, when we fail to solve problems
before it is too late, and when we fail to act when it is indicated.
Professionalization requires change. Professionalism requires a straight
thinking. Dentistry, medicine, and others have been professionalized,
and they continue to change and adapt to circumstances, issues, and concerns.
Exercise physiology is changing, but is it adapting fast enough to ensure
its presence among other healthcare practitioners?
Academic
Changes are Inevitable
It is hard
work to make academic changes. It requires motivation and persistence.
But, it is imperative that exercise physiologists make changes in the academic
curriculum. In fact, it is an inevitable result of understanding the
“shared vision” and why accreditation is imperative. The shared vision
helps with the members to endure criticism and to hold creative tension.
The
“Power of a Vision” lies in its…
The power
of a vision lies in its calling. It is not just an idea. It is
a declaration that “we want it” and that we are “willing to work for it”.
It is an unconditional commitment, an unequivocating courage to transform
exercise physiology, and the power to focus on the desired result itself.
Abraham Lincolin said it best. “The dogmas of the quiet past are
inadequate for the stormy present and future. As our circumstances are
new, we must think anew and act anew.” In other words, according to
John Lothrop, “The first rule of holes is simply this: When you’re in one,
stop digging.”
Integrating
Reason with Intuition
Before the
public can grant professional status to exercise physiology, it must be recognized
as being socially necessary. The public needs answers to the following
questions:
- Where are exercise physiologists educated?
- Do they attend technical schools or colleges?
- What kind of academic courses do they take?
- Where do they learn their hands-on skills?
- What are their credentials?
- Are they nationally certified?
- Are the academic programs accredited?
- Where do they work?
Seeing the Connectedness
is Vital
Vision precedes
reality. Credibility requires accountability, and board certification
defines professional title. Seeing the connectedness among these expressions
is absolutely vital to the professionalization of exercise physiology.
Similarly, financial stability is linked to professional control. Genuine
commitment ensures growth, and shared vision provides energy for learning.
Seeing
Each Other as Colleagues
Working together
as colleagues facilitates interaction and trust. It establishes a positive
tone for dialogue and, thus allows (and even encourages) for differences
of view. Seeing each other as colleagues allows each of us to identify
conflicts as part of the ongoing dialogue and creative thinking as well as
fostering a new identity of caring professionals.
Implications
for Organizational Growth
Concern about
growth is a natural process. Comparisons are natural but dangerous.
There is no short cut or quick fixes. To “make it”, we must start from
where we are, not from where we should be, or where someone else is, or even
from where others may think we are.
The
Beginning of Wisdom…
The beginning
of wisdom is to call things by their right names. ASEP is “the” professional
organization of exercise physiologists. It is concerned with educational
standards, Code of Ethics, professional credentials, and a shared vision for
a better future for all exercise physiologists.
What
We Need to Know?
William J.
Bryan said it best, “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of
choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”
Therefore, the best way to predict the future is to invent it. Are we
willing to reshape our thinking? If we are, then, the impossible is
possible.
But,
the “possible is impossible” if we don’t come to the shared conclusion that
a professional organization is indispensable to advancing the emerging profession,
if we continue to place our faith in publishing research articles, and if
we don’t speak to our directors/chairs to support ASEP philosophic perspective.
Then, the “possible is not possible” which raises the questions:
- To what extent are ASEP exercise physiologists, particularly
the college professors, ready for a shared vision?
- Is ASEP recognition really important?
- Is unification a driving passion?
- Is working on behalf of the public good an objective?
If the answer is
YES! Then, the ASEP vision is proactive; it provides control over economic
and political concerns for all exercise physiologists. It is not just
attractive, but meaningful. And, it defines our departure from yesterday’s
thinking.
The
Challenges...
ASEP members
and the public must be convinced that the exercise physiology body of knowledge
can be applied to benefit society. The development of a sound certification
program is just the beginning. We must strive to control specific public
sector services. Department heads of academic programs and the respective
faculty must participate in the “change process” by initiating dialogue and
assuming responsibility for the changes. No occupation can become a
profession if the members are not willing to make hard decisions.
Accepting
Shared Reflections
The ASEP
organization is exercise physiology-centered, focused, and driven to build
and convey the importance of professionalism. It is about building
trust and encouraging change. It is understanding that:
“If we don’t take risks, we risk even more.”
The Role of ASEP
is….
The role
of every ASEP member is to treat all exercise physiologists with respect
and dignity even if it means breaking from old ways of doing things.
The role of ASEP is also:
- To develop new initiatives to help ensure professional satisfaction
and financial stability.
- To help develop new ideas, concepts, and insights about fitness,
health, sports training, and rehabilitation.
- To market what we do in the public sector.
- To stimulate discussion and collaboration among exercise
physiologists.
- To unite exercise physiologists, and promote professional
development.
- To set the agenda for the future and provide recognition
for the exercise physiology profession.
- To develop procedures to ensure academic credibility.
- To commit to quality and integrity in exercise physiology
through adherence to a shared Code of Professional Conduct.
- To embrace the power of self-regulation.
- To ensure political integration of exercise physiology into
healthcare.
Now is the Time
to Act on Ideas
If we are
to move from being regulated by others to self-regulation, now is the time
to act. If we are to ensure the future of ASEP as “the” link to professional
development of exercise physiology, now is the time. And if we are
to convince others that ASEP is the backbone of the professionalization of
exercise physiology, we must act on our ideas. Perhaps, the following
quote by Howard Marguleas will help:
“Never cease to pursue the opportunity to seek something
different. Don’t be satisfied with what you’re doing. Always
try to seek a way and a method to improve upon what you’re doing, even if
it’s considered contrary to the traditions of an industry.”
