Paper presented at the 11th ASEP National Meeting, April 3, 2009
The Invisible Profession
Tommy Boone, PhD,
MPH, MAM, FASEP, EPC
Professor and Chair
Department of
Exercise Physiology
The College of St.
Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811
As an educator, I am obligated to
tell the truth about exercise physiologist, exercise science, and related
degree programs.
I will start by saying that
college teachers are great researchers but poor at healthcare. Second, many teachers fail to take into
account the power of exercise as medicine.
I’ve learned not to be too
impressed with a teacher’s publication list, especially if they aren’t working
on behalf of the students to help them reach their full potential.
After all, most teachers love to
do research, but it is our commitment to students that defines us. Students attend college so they can find a
job afterwards. Exercise physiology is
an excellent beginning point.
The truth is that a degree in
exercise science is a defective product.
It renders the majority of the graduates jobless. Even among the doctorate EPs, there are only
a few so-called “exercise scientist” jobs in the pubic sector – that is, beyond
a university job.
Why then do the academic
institutions offer exercise science and related degree programs? One answer is “Comfortable indifference.” Another answer is “It is what we have always
done, since we transitioned from physical education.”
Consider the following taken from
the website of an undergraduate exercise science degree at a major
University. First, the website asks the
question: “What does an exercise
scientist do?” Then, it offers an
answer: “Exercise leadership, personal
trainer, corporate fitness, and cardiac rehab.”
I do not believe either job
possibility is sufficient financially for the majority of the exercise science
graduates to buy a house and raise a family.
Therefore, the exercise science degree is meaningless.
Many of my colleagues know that a
degree in sports sciences, human performance, or one of 3o other degree titles
isn’t going to allow for finding a job with an excellent income.
Please appreciate that I’m not
interested in offending anyone or challenging the reputation of college
teachers. But, at the cost of college
today, I know of students who are stripped of their dreams, forced to change
majors and, frankly, are sustained only by hope of something better.
Others share this same concern,
but are afraid to talk openly. They want
the same opportunity for students interested in exercise physiology and
healthcare as students of physical therapy have.
What we are experiencing now is
the loss of precious time to gain a footing in healthcare. I believe that has to change.
I’m reminded of a letter received
from someone who works in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, she writes: “I have undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry
and a master’s degree in exercise science with a concentration in exercise physiology. I tend to believe the degrees mean nothing
when it comes to finding a job beyond rehab, and often times, these jobs are
part-time with little to no health benefits.
I have the Exercise
Specialist and Program Director Certifications, which again, I question the
relevance and importance. I have been a
member of sports medicine for 10 years and a member of AACVPR for five, and I
do not think either of these organizations is working to distinguish our
profession. When I tell people I am an
exercise physiologist, their comment is, ‘Oh, you teach P.E.,’ or ‘Oh, you are
a personal trainer.’ Even physicians
don’t understand the role we should play in the medical field.”
This thinking isn’t new or unique. I have hundreds of similar letters. I believe we should start holding college
educators accountable for their deception.
Did you know the most pervasive business tort is
intentional representation, also known as fraud or deceit. It occurs when a wrongdoer deceives another
person out of money, property, or something else of value.
The four elements required to find fraud are: First, the
wrongdoer made a false representation of material fact. Second, the
wrongdoer had knowledge that the representation was false and intended to
deceive the innocent party. Third, the
innocent party justifiably relied on the misrepresentation and, fourth, the innocent party was injured.
While I can’t be sure that the content on 100s of web
pages is intentional deception, it is reasonable to conclude:
1. That
the exercise science and related web pages of most institutions constitute a
false representation of the expected benefit.
2. That
the faculty and chairperson should have reasonable knowledge of the same, and
3. That
the representation is therefore problematic, false, and intended to
deceive.
Unfortunately, many students end up graduating only to be
hurt financially if not emotionally by the mis-information.
What I’ve learned is that “what
has worth is worth paying for” – I think it is possible to answer whether the
exercise science degree is worth paying for by reading the following sentence:
“… University graduates can find employment as personal trainers and fitness
directors and work in commercial health and fitness
centers.”
Personally, I don’t think that
college tuition is worth a personal trainer job!
On another website, I read: “Students will have many opportunities to
engage in fitness related public service and private practice while working
alongside world-class scientists, professors, and professionals.”
Do you really believe that
statement is true? I don’t.
Without wanting to be harsh, it
is next to impossible to be successful without spending even more money on
another degree when the original path is mis-represented by the same people
students place their trust in.
Seldom demanding, seldom
sufficient to secure students in a healthcare career after graduation, and
seldom respected by other professionals, yet yesterday’s thinking and the
inertia that secures it have kept today’ undergraduate degrees unchanged from the
1960s. It doesn’t have to be this
way.
But it is, and because of it, we
are invisible. Our students are
invisible. PT students have their
tuition linked to one academic major that is driven by credible jobs in the
public sector.
It makes no sense that we are not
seizing the moment. The timing is
right. But, instead, we allow others to
control our future. Where are the leaders
in exercise physiology beyond ASEP?
Where is our 2020 vision, like that of physical therapy?
The code of ethics of a generic
organization does not apply to exercise physiologists no more so than it does
to a nurse. It certainly doesn’t apply to
dietitians. They get it. They are focused on tomorrow and working with
the ADA. Isn’t it time that we start
thinking as professionals within the context of our own professional
organization?
The ASEP leadership created the:
1. First-ever
Code of Ethics for exercise physiologists.
2. Accreditation
guidelines for exercise physiology.
3. Board
certification for exercise physiologists, and
4. Standards
of professional practice.
Yet we are essentially invisible
to the very people who should be supporting us.
Where are the academic exercise physiologists? How many are here today?
Whether you are a college teacher
or a student, why not take up the work towards professionalism. If you haven’t challenged the ASEP Board
Certification to earn the professional title, Exercise Physiologist, why not do
so?
Why not share ASEP with our
friends, colleagues, and administrators.
Why not tell them “what is exercise physiology” and “who is an exercise
physiologist?” It should be obvious
that a profession cannot be built around the usual definition of “acute and chronic
adaptations to exercise.”
Just as we have learned to think
by thinking, we must learn how to change by changing. We must learn to develop leaders in exercise
physiology instead of followers. To do
this, we can no longer turn a blind eye to our problems. There are ethical and, I believe, legal
concerns with failing to change.
Change starts with the right
attitude, commitment, caring, passion, and dedication to something better. Those who don’t get this message are likely
to be held accountable at some point in the future.
To the students here today, you
may ask: Why
isn’t my degree in exercise physiology and not exercise science,
especially if
I have been told I can call myself an exercise physiologists, and
why can't the EPC exam be offered here every year to help with
travel and hotel expenses?The lesson is that with our
scientific body of knowledge and our commitment and expertise in exercise
prescription, we are the designated professionals to prescribe exercise as
medicine (not as trainers or instructors, but as healthcare
professionals).
Are you a professional? You may not have been asked this question
before. Being a professional is more
than having a job, teaching or doing research.
There are people all about us who are experts in their field, yet lack
professionalism.
The road to professionalism is
long. Momentum is usually acquired with
the founding of the professional organization, but only if the members of a
discipline share the same goals.
We must transform the old perception
of a fitness instructor or the exercise specialist into a healthcare
professional who engages in consultation, recommendation, and treatment. Our professionalism must be driven by our
Code of Ethics and our Standards of Practice; both intimately a function of the
ASEP Board Certification.
Are we willing to experiment and
take risks. Are we willing to fail to
find the right path? Are we willing to act
on our ideas and learn from our mistakes?
Are you willing to let others
think they are the key players in Exercise as Medicine? I’m not.
Our board certified exercise
physiologists should be in the front line to treat hypertension, arthritis, diabetes,
obesity, hyperlipidemia, colon cancer, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety, and
well-being with a safe and scientifically developed exercise prescription.
As healthcare providers, we help
clients and patients by “treating” discomforts and diseases through lifestyle
changes and, most likely, within the context of our own healthcare clinics.
Skyrocketing obesity in children
and adolescents also points to the need for lifestyle intervention by exercise
physiologists. Yet, failure on the part
of the college teachers to address the importance of professionalism in
exercise physiology diminishes who we are and what we do.
Our “visibility” is dependent
upon each of us to “walk the walk.”
Simple, direct messages such as, “It’s time to convert this exercise
science degree to an accredited exercise physiology degree.”
Imagine yourself in the student’s
position, to see with their eyes, and to feel with their hearts when there are
no jobs after graduation.
Imagine the future where all
exercise physiologists will graduate from ASEP accredited programs, will sit
for the EPC, and be held accountable to the ASEP Code of Ethics and
professional standards. Imagine, then,
their role in credible healthcare careers.
All we need to do is come together,
face the challenges with a share vision of something better. Then, our expanded visibility will
ensure that students will reap the benefits of the college education they paid
for.
Thank you.
Copyright
©1997-2009
American Society of Exercise Physiologists All Rights
Reserved.