Thinking Right about Exercise Physiology
You Can Make a Difference!
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH,
FASEP, EPC
Professor and Chair
Department of Exercise
Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811
We
can change the way we think. – Paul the Apostle
Why do physical therapists
support the American Physical Therapy
Association? What one thing do
occupational therapists have in common?
The answer: Thinking Right! Those who are physical therapists understand
the importance of their professional organization and, similarly, with
occupational therapists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. They get it.
What is strange about all of
this is that most other healthcare professionals did not have to think much
about “thinking right.” So, when students
decide to major in physical therapy, they automatically expect to join
APTA. The following is taken from the
March 2006 PTmagazine [1]:
“Membership in the American Physical
Therapy Association is a privilege....The fact that membership is a privilege
is one of its strengths….” This is not
the case with students of exercise physiology.
Why is that? Part of the reason
is due to the failure of the exercise physiologists to promote their own
professional organization. This is not
the case with physical therapy.
Another reason is that
physical therapists have worked at nurturing their professionalism. Exercise physiologists do not. Physical therapists understand the importance
of supporting a professional organization.
Exercise physiologists do not seem to get it. The reasons for the different thinking are
many. What is clear is this: Exercise physiologists must start thinking right
about exercise physiology. To do this,
they must stop thinking today as they were thinking yesterday.
People are made and broken
by their thinking or their failure to think right. Exercise physiologists are no different. Failing to recognize that the American Society of Exercise Physiologists
is the professional organization of exercise physiologists is the result of
yesterday’s thinking. It is not thinking
that is right. Today’s challenges must
be defined by today’s thinking.
Yesterday’s thinking is not right for today’s direction and hopes for
exercise physiology.
So, what is the deal? Is it that exercise physiologists do not get
it simply because they are not thinking right?
Yes and no, but mostly YES. Now,
if you are among the exercise physiologists who have not supported the ASEP
organization, the question is: “How do you start thinking right about ASEP?” Perhaps, it is as simple as 1-2-3! By this I mean that first, if you are willing
to become an ASEP member, then, second, begin by changing how to feel about the
organization. Third, by allowing your
actions to speak for your feelings, you will find yourself a member and
supporter.
In other words, you must
stop allowing your feelings to interfere with your actions. Contrary to what most exercise physiologists
think, being a member of just any organization is not the same as the
professional organization. By parallel,
for a physical therapist, membership in ASEP is not the same as membership in
APTA. A professional organization has
value only to the person who has the ability to benefit from it because that
person has the right academic preparation.
Exercise physiologists must learn this important lesson if they are
going to compete successfully with other healthcare professionals.
There
is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct or more
uncertain in its success than to take the lead in the introduction of a new
order of things. – inscription on Machiavelli’s tomb
Thinking right will improve
exercise physiology by creating better prepared exercise physiologists. But, because they continue to think wrong,
the quality of exercise physiology is far less than it should be. But, of course, most academic exercise
physiologists have the heads buried in their books or research to understand
this basic point. Hence, here is the
question: “Since you are reading this article, are you ready to think
right?” Do you get it? Do you understand that knowing how to do
research has very little direct connection to building a profession if your
thinking is not right?
As long as exercise
physiologists think as members of a discipline, they will never be members of a
profession. Thinking as a professional
requires seeing it in your mind. It
means living it even if no one gets it.
So, why not begin with a tiny but powerful step. Visualize in your mind’s eye that you are a
healthcare professional just as if you were a physical therapist or a medical
doctor. Think, talk, and write about
exercise physiology from the ASEP perspective [2]. Associate with members of the ASEP
organization. Learn how they think and
do what they do and, then, you will wake up one morning knowing that you are a
member of a profession.
Otherwise, it is not
possible without thinking right. The
process is critical to evolving from a discipline way of thinking to a
professional way of thinking. Once
again, for those of who are on the edge of membership, change your feelings and
let your actions speak for you. Your
future is just a one decision away.
Click the membership page on the ASEP Internet site [3]. Start thinking right today! Start today with ASEP, grow with it, support
it, and nurture it. Let it become a
consistent part of your professional life.
Rather simple thinking, right? The
truth is this is thinking right towards the survival of exercise physiology and
your future as an exercise physiologist.
Get
The Exercise Physiology Mindset: What
can I do today that I didn’t do yesterday to promote, market, and transform our
profession? We are a profession! Research is not a
profession. Cardiac rehab is not a profession. There are many
opportunities for transformation if only we would seize them today, tomorrow,
and everyday thereafter. If only we would start thinking creatively in
the application of “exercise is medicine.” We do not need licensure to
apply sound exercise prescriptions. If
only we would stop settling for mediocrity. If only we would capture
“exercise” as our niche market, and if we would be satisfied with nothing less
than full success in our professional development, we will begin the serious
journey of professionalism.
You should also know that
thinking right means that you, too, will stand out from other people. Just as the physical therapist is given the
respect of a healthcare professional, the same commitment to ASEP and exercise
physiology as a profession will cause you to stand out similarly. This is important. No one should go to college and earn a degree
to find out at graduation the only jobs available are $7/hr part-time without
medical benefits. Practically speaking, the
exercise science degree (with a concentration in exercise physiology) is
meaningless. This is not the case with
other healthcare professions.
Unquestionably, this is an academic habitat that tears at the hearts of
students and their parents. It can’t be
that the student is meticulously identifying the exercise science major without
input from the faculty and others.
It is remarkable how
students continue to repeat the same mistakes year after year. The antidote which changes this problem into
a success story is the near exhaustive work of the ASEP leaders. They have lived up to everything they said
they would do. Only a few have walked
away broken by either their misguided beliefs or their unwillingness to stay
the course. The secret of the former is
their unruffled states-of-mind. They
understand that building a “profession” is a back-breaking experience. They
know that nothing succeeds like success and, frankly, others are envious of
what they have done in less than 10 years.
No longer working to please
others, they are thinking right even during their vacations or daily relaxation
periods. Their opinion of what is
tolerable is directly linked to the indefinable spirit or soul of ASEP. Perhaps it is stale or hackneyed to compare
the spirit dimension with an organization; nevertheless, it is apt. It is undeniably true that all organizations
are subject to a spirit of guidance and cooperation. To think otherwise is simply a necessity to
procrastinate, which is also a slow suicide for exercise physiology. Those of you who are holding on to yesterday
will be responsible for killing exercise physiology. And, please listen: None of this is farfetched. There is proof that failure to act is problematic.
A
good idea is like a wheelbarrow; it will go nowhere unless you push it. – J.
Jacobson
Everyone has heard: “The
truth can set you free.” It is without
question a paradox for academics that the way to miss being professional is to
take a hard line stance against ASEP. As
a matter of experience, it is the most logical stance to take. Yet, the truly great and noble exercise
physiologists have not come forth to support ASEP. They will be judged by what they have not
done, by the lack of concern they have shown to the students of exercise
physiology. Just about every normal way
of thinking supports this point and begs the question: Why? Well, perhaps, more than ever, now the reader
can appreciate the influence of faith in a failed rhetoric. Even with a sinking ship that is priced too
high, colleagues remain committed to the altar of fakery and sham.
Where is there one person
willing to surrender to ASEP for the governance of exercise physiology? Many of us who embrace willingly the 21st view
of exercise physiology aren’t tough-minded at all. Instead, they are tough-hearted. Their commitment and dedication are examples
of the 21st century blueprint for success.
They understand that no matter how many articles they publish, they
cannot help the students of exercise science unless the academic degree title
is changed to exercise physiology. They
are convinced of this view, and they are willing to let everyone know about
it. After all, it is simply a matter of
“thinking right.”
This way of thinking begins
with the discontent of statements that suggest “nothing really can
change.” The idea of being patient and
waiting for something to change goes no where.
If exercise physiologists want to be professionals within the healthcare
system, they must tell everyone that: “You can teach old dogs new tricks. It just takes a bit longer.” This is why the ASEP leaders believe that it
is just a matter of time before the academic gatekeepers understand that much
of the change process begins with them.
That is, the power of change lies within each of us. Maybe this is a good time to quote William E.
Holler:
You
can do what you want to do, accomplish what you want to accomplish, attain any
reasonable objective you may have in mind – not all of a sudden, perhaps not in
one swift and sweeping act of achievement – but you can do it gradually, day by
day and play by play, if you want to do it, if you work to do it, over a
sufficiently long period of time
Learning to think right is a
function of believing! Believe in what
Mr. Holler said. Believe in your ability to stay the course. It is as the old Latin proverb: “Believe that
you have it, and you have it.” Okay,
there you have the secret to ultimate success in most things. Those who disagree are disbelievers. Do not let them get you down. Remember:
The power of what you do or can do is directly linked to your
self-confidence [4]. So, stay tough-minded. Be encouraged by the fact that you are
thinking right. Be encouraged that your
thinking is defining what you say and who you are. If you think you can or can’t make a
difference in the future of what is exercise physiology, you are right! Therefore, think “you can” and you will make
a difference.
To quote Joe D. Batten and
Leonard C. Hudson [5], who wrote Dare to
Live, “you become what you say.”
This is why it is so hard to deal with exercise physiologists who simply
do not get it. They are already
defeated, even if they do not know it.
Why would anyone get involved with colleagues who are defeated? Obviously, it would be better to think
positive. It would be better to have
people around you who believe in the ASEP vision and mission statements. Defeat is not an alternative. So, if you think ASEP leaders are willing to
listen to anyone who has given up, forget it.
ASEP is all about hope and building the profession of exercise
physiology. The only way that can be
done is to stay the course and make things happen.
Life is too short not to
think right. Why not, as they say, “get
with the program?” Why not engage the
ASEP spirit and passionately reach out to others? You will not be able to influence everyone to
get involved, but you can influence some.
While at work doing so, you may benefit from recalling the 1943 prayer by
Reinhold Neibuhr [6]: “Give me the courage to change what can be changed, the
serenity to accept that which can’t, and the wisdom to know the
difference.”
Remember that you cannot
expect to change every person you encounter.
That’s life. Perhaps the best
anyone can do is “give it his/her best.”
That in itself is more than anyone could otherwise expect. So, get the spirit up and rolling and tap
into that power within you to encourage others to “really live” the exercise
physiology experience. You can do it, if
you think right. You can do it, if you
stand up to the challenge. You can do
it, if you have the courage to share your thinking. And, for those who can’t do it, forgive them.
For
if you forgive other people their failures, your Heavenly Father will also
forgive you. But if you will not forgive
other people, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you your failures. –
spoken by Jesus Christ, the Son of God
Meantime, if you want to
make exercise physiology the best healthcare profession possible, you have to
work at it. Building anything is hard
work; that’s why so few people have the courage to do it. But, generally, when people take the time to
update their thinking, good things happen.
They recognize that thinking right changes the way they look at exercise
physiology. For example, thinking of
exercise physiology as “the acute and chronic adaptations to exercise” is the
wrong thinking. It makes no sense at
all. But, when you change your thinking
to the ASEP definition of exercise physiology [7] as a healthcare profession,
it changes your entire perspective of what you are and what you do! Why not live a fulfilling life? Why not help create a profession that will
give hope to students?
Exercise Physiology is the identification of
physiological mechanisms underlying physical activity, the comprehensive
delivery of treatment services concerned with the analysis, improvement, and
maintenance of health and fitness, rehabilitation of heart disease and other
chronic diseases and/or disabilities, and the professional guidance and counsel
of athletes and others interested in athletics, sports training, and human
adaptability to acute and chronic exercise.
Remember the quote by Ben
Franklin, “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall receive it.” It seems to me that this quote defines the
mental set of most exercise physiologists.
They expect nothing as an exercise physiologist, except the idea that
research is important, and they get nothing.
Professors, in particular, have got to stop passing this kink of
thinking along to their students. Again,
why not think of exercise physiology as a healthcare profession? Then, the right thinking will follow to build
the profession. In other words, start
thinking right about exercise physiology.
John C. Maxwell [8] believes
it is important to “go to your thinking place.”
What is your best place to think?
Find a place to read, write, and think about exercise physiology. It may be in your office or on the way to your
office. Write down your ideas. Convert the ideas to articles. After all, to write is to think and it is an
excellent way of knowing whether you are thinking right. In a sense, it is also about living out the
person you ant to be. Think about it: If
exercise physiologists really want to start out each day right, the way to do
it is with the right attitude [9]. This
is why the Exercise Physiologist’s Credo
is so important:
I do not choose to be a trainer, fitness instructor,
technician, or a common exercise practitioner.
It is my right to be uncommon – my right to be a professional exercise
physiologist accountable to a code of ethics and standards of practice. I seek professionalism and credibility – not
the easy road. I do not wish to be
certified by non-exercise physiology organizations that have nothing to do with
the professional development of exercise physiology. I want to belong to the American Society of Exercise Physiologists. I want to be a member of the professional
team of exercise physiologists as healthcare professionals. I understand the importance of a professional
code of ethics, accreditation, board certification for exercise physiology
prepared candidates, and standards of professional practice. I refuse to give away exercise physiology to
non-exercise physiologists. I will not
trade my education or dignity for a non-exercise physiology major. I will never cower before any other person or
profession nor bend to any threat. It is
my heritage and right to stand apart from non-exercise physiologists. I am proud of my membership with the American Society of Exercise Physiologists. I am proud to be a healthcare
professional. I understand the
importance of thinking and acting with integrity and credibility. All this is what it means to be an exercise
physiologist.
According to The American Heritage Dictionary,
"credo" stands for belief. The
point is: This is what the ASEP exercise physiologist should believe. What do you believe? What do you stand for? Credo
increases one’s conviction and commitment to an attitude. This is a good thing because believing in something
increases one’s chances of talking, acting, and living out the belief. I believe that this distinction is true. Belief is a force that most people
undervalue. Indeed, it is because of
one’s belief that people grow in courage and wisdom to challenge life’s
difficulties. As Ben Franklin said,
“Those things that hurt, instruct.” It
is for this reason that people learn not to avoid problems but actually to
welcome them. This is exactly what has
driven the ASEP leaders.
In any case, why not set
aside a few minutes each day to think right about the American Society of Exercise Physiologists? It is the forerunner of what will be a new
healthcare profession. Members of the
organization will be the professionals who are likely to impact how you
think. They will give shape to the ideas
that you come up with, and they will help to insure your success and that of other
exercise physiologists and their application of exercise to healthcare. This is a great truth because once exercise
physiologists see this truth they will truly understand and accept it. And, once it is accepted, the fact that the American Society of Exercise Physiologists
exists without approval from non-ASEP exercise physiologists will no longer be important. In time, this understanding will be
recognized as a breathtaking achievement with an uncommon clarity.
Until then…
There
is no self-esteem without sacrifice.
There is no sacrifice without being exposed to the possibility of
ridicule. There’s no way we can pursue a
dream without running the risk of people saying, “Who does he think he
is?” --
Robert H. Schuller
References
- Tepper, D. (2006). Editorial. PTmagazine. March, 14:3 [Online]. http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Current_Issue1&TEMPLATE=/CM/HTML
- Boone, T. (2006). Thinking, Talking, and Writing as an Exercise Physiologist. Professionalization of Exercise
Physiology. 9:6 [Online]. http://www.asep.org/asep/asep/ExercisePhysiologyThinking.html
- American
Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2006). Membership Application. [Online]. http://www.asep.org/policies.htm
- Boone, T. (2000). The Power Within: The Integration of Faith and Purposeful
Self-Care in the 21st Century. AuthorHouse. [Onlinne]. http://www.allbookstores.com/book/1403324387/PowerWithin.html
- Batten, J.D. and Hudson, L.C. (1966). Dare to Live. West Nayack, NY:
Parker Publishing Company, Inc.
- Sifton, E. (2003). The Serenity Prayer:
Faith and Politics in Times of Peace and War. New York, NY:
W.W. Norton and Company, Inc.
- American Society of Exercise Physiologists.
(2006). ASEP Home Page. [Online]. http://www.asep.org/
- Maxwell, J.C. (2003). Thinking for a Change. New
York, NY: Center Street
(Warner Books).
- Maxwell, J.C. (2004). Today Matters. New
York, NY: Warner
Faith.