of Exercise Physiologyonline
An international electronic
journal for exercise physiologists
ISSN 1099-5862
Vol 2 No 11 November 1999
Dr. Robert Robergs: A Leader Among Exercise PhysiologistsTommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP
Professor and Chair, Department of Exercise Physiology, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” Who is Dr. Robert Robergs? In brief, he is the Director for The Center for Exercise and Applied Human Physiology at The University of New Mexico where he is an Associate Professor. As the Director, he has created an internationally recognized graduate program. He is widely published in scholarly journals, and he has co-edited several textbooks, including Clinical Exercise Physiology, Fundamental Principles of Exercise Physiology: for Fitness, Performance, and Health, and Exercise Physiology: Exercise, Performance, and Clinical Applications.
Clearly, Dr. Robergs has been hard at work in the academic realm of exercise physiology. However, leadership is not just a matter of writing books. Leadership is about treating the exercise physiology college graduate as professionals they are. A talented leader recognizes what is seemingly trivial as issues that should be a shared experience. It is that simple. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It is showing a genuine interest in other people.
As a native of Melbourne in Australia, what makes Dr. Robergs a leader among exercise physiologists in the United States? What can we learn from him as we look to the future as exercise physiologists? These questions are important and not that difficult to answer. The intention of this article is to write about the ASEP President, Dr. Robert Robergs, and how he is leading the ASEP organization into the 21st century.
He is a very unusual man with the attributes necessary to plunge right into the heart of the exercise physiology issues and concerns. He determined several years ago that sports medicine is in the business of promoting sports medicine with little intention to promote exercise physiology. While exercise physiologists helped to make much of what sports medicine is today, the ever-tightening vise of sports medicine directives squeezed out any intentional efforts by a few to better the professional landscape of the exercise physiologist.
It is only natural for exercise physiologists to look for direction from within sports medicine, but many have learned that the management isn’t interested in their concerns. So, after some serious thinking and developing his own insights into the problems and issues faced by exercise physiologists, Dr. Robergs wrote the article entitled, “ACSM and Exercise Physiology: Past, Present, and Future” which he published in first issue of the Professionalization of Exercise Physiology – online.
The principal reason for writing the article was to present a fact-based, analytical approach to identifying the very reasons why exercise physiologists need (and have a right) to their own professional organization. There were, of course, at the time only a few such articles ever written that analyzed key issues that confront the exercise physiologist. The author’s perspective represents an analytical rigor few would ever have had the backbone to publish.
Why did he do it? A snapshot in time. A profile of circumstances that has resulted in encouragement, trust, respect, and care about the future of exercise physiology. What does it really take to write such an article or to lead an organization? The answer: It takes a huge sense of what is right. Sports medicine’s administrative directives are sound and revolutionary for sports medicine. However, its growth and size has helped very little the BS/BA or master prepared exercise physiologists. Dr. Robergs has track the course of sports medicine, has scanned the control it exerts on exercise physiologists, and understands the workplace, the social divisions, and the generation of problems that need correcting.
The stringent controls and the sports medicine authoritative predisposition towards sports medicine development at the expense of exercise physiology isn’t accepted by the members of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists. They don’t understand why sports medicine leaders refuse to acknowledge that ASEP has a right to create its own solutions to the professional care of exercise physiologists. This was recently made clear to the ASEP President and the ASEP Board of Directors.
Not surprisingly, each and every person seems to have his or her own particular take on leadership and professional success. One thing is clear, however. Different kinds of leaders and leadership styles and principles are appropriate for different circumstances. Dr. Robergs is a man of the highest professional standards. He has demonstrated consistent strength of character, and a pioneering spirit. Few measure up to his visionary and strategic skills. His commitment to the exercise physiologist’s diversity in healthcare responsibility is genuine. His track record as a successful scholar will bring more success to ASEP.
Most importantly, when its time to turn things upside down, “You’ve got to have the guts to make a decision.” Taking risks are important to defining ‘the vision’ or ‘the strategy’ to move exercise physiology into the 21st century. It’s nothing personal with sports medicine, in fact many of their members are good friends with ASEP members. It is simply a matter of business. It is about including the members in developing and celebrating their future. However it is done, it is also a matter of avoiding the trap of a too narrowly-focused definition of what constitutes an exercise physiologist.
Exercise physiologists had no recourse accept to go the offensive, given the workplace conditions for many recent graduates of exercise science/physiology programs. ASEP is an organization of exercise physiologists, for exercise physiologists, with leadership that has the guts to make a decision. Dr. Robergs has done just that, given the information at his disposal with the right instincts to make ASEP work in the 21st century marketplace.
ASEP leadership has the courage to be competitive. It also has the membership’s trust and confidence. They understand that Dr. Robergs is working on behalf of the members and exercise physiologists worldwide. They believe that he understands the marketplace, the competition, and the importance of communication. They understand that he is intelligent, touchable, has time to listen, and is believable. The other thing he has is passion.
Carol Bartz, Chairman, CEO, and President, Autodesk, Inc. said, “…People with intelligence and passion will get the problem solved, no matter what.” (Neff and Citrin, 1999; page 44). Dr. Robergs will go the extra mile! His passion permeates the ASEP organization. He understands and believes in the ASEP Vision. He knows where we’re going, and will not deviate from it. He recognizes and openly appreciates the importance of each member.
Dr. Robergs expects timely execution of strategic plans. In time, exercise physiologists will have a choice in professional certification, which they did not have in the past. Under the President’s directives, there will be increased communication about the changes going on in exercise physiology. There will be aggressive attempts at explaining what those changes mean for attaining professional status. ASEP already has the monthly ASEPNewsletter, which is the largest exercise physiology newsletter on the Internet. In addition, there is the possibility that a biweekly tabloid-style newspaper about health and fitness issues will be added to the ASEP contact page. The world of health and fitness, rehabilitation, and athletics is changing. ASEP plans to be part of this change process, if not a major player in focusing on what exercise physiologists need to do their job better. The President is interested in improving our public image, the quality of our work, being more public-oriented, and becoming faster at working out state licensure issues. He would also like to see increased student involvement, particularly at the college and university levels with more ASEP Student Chapters. Execution, getting things done, is the key to getting control over our future.
You’re got email. You the reader, the exercise physiologist. Everybody talks about email. For years there wasn’t this unlimited access to others. Now, there is and your silence can be heard around the world. As an ASEP member, and as Dr. Robergs told all the attendees at the recent 2nd National ASEP Meeting in Albuquerque, NM ---“The key to continued building an enduring professional option for all exercise physiologists is passion, more members, and perseverance.” It comes down to the simple idea that the ASEP membership is important to the creation of an emerging profession. The membership, individually and collectively, must take the organization, with its leadership, beyond the point of where it is now. It is an organization of people, and the notion that only a few individuals can manage it isn’t sound management or leadership.
Dr. Robergs, a leader in exercise physiology, has extended the invitation to the members to step forward and help manage the organization. He has indicated on several occasions the “guiding principles” that have been laid down. They are the reason for the existence of ASEP. They are not going to change. There is total commitment to a common vision between the leadership and the members. What he has suggested is an almost unprecedented opportunity for the members to share in the organization’s development as a leader in our industry. The power and control over your future literally lies in your hands as shareholders.
At the same meeting, he also mentioned the importance of knowing who we are and what we do. Up until recently, there has never been a “Scope of Practice” for exercise physiologists. A ‘first draft’ was written and posted on the Internet. It is a beginning, but the diversification and expansion possibilities in the healthcare realm are a challenge in defining the specifics of the exercise physiologist’s practice. The process is a radical shift from what has been and what is (clinical) considered the scope of practice of exercise physiologists to instead what will be successful career options for members of the industry.
Hence, instead of continuing to stereotype the exercise physiologist, Dr. Robergs is on the edge (taking risks) of chairing new thinking and new career possibilities. He is interested in the future of exercise physiology. Where image is everything, he is arguing for leadership roles in the industry where the exercise physiologist takes the public to that place they think they can’t get to – better health and fitness. As a leader, he is inspiring; a person striving for new ideas, new thinking, and new discussion that is globally competitive.
His mind-set has helped to change the thinking of exercise physiologists. His leadership has helped others to understand that it is important to dream of what our students can become. It comes from the heart. It’s that simple. It’s walking the walk. Literally, ASEP is about the membership. It is about exercise physiology and about connecting with the students across the United States. Dr. Robergs believes in something more important than making a name for himself or getting paid. His objective is to build an institution of exercise physiologists as entrepreneurs who have a vision, who are energetic, and who are willing to concentrate on what exercise physiologists do best.
Dr. Robergs is a living example of what ASEP believes. He doesn’t distort or color the truth in any way. He works to maintain and expand upon the core values and operating philosophy of ASEP. He tells it like it is, even when it isn’t popular to do so. He is honest and candid with remarks about sports medicine, especially when it is diametrically oppose to benefiting young exercise physiologists. He is about treating exercise physiologists with respect and dignity.
Our President is all about building the profession together. He understands all to well that one person can not do it alone. Organizations, including ASEP, is a collection of people empowered to make a positive difference. The best leaders understand this point. Our President understands this point. Write Dr. Robergs and offer your services to the organization. With his continued leadership for another year and with your help, all exercise physiologists will benefit with increased emphasis on professionalism.
References
T.J. Neff and J. M. Citrin (1999). Lessons From The Top. New York: Double Day.
Copyright ©1999 American Society of Exercise Physiologists. All Rights Reserved.
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