PEPonline
Professionalization
of Exercise Physiologyonline

An international electronic
journal for exercise physiologists
ISSN 1099-5862

Vol 1 No 5 November 1998

 

Competence
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP
Professor and Chair
Department of Exercise Physiology
Director of Exercise Physiology Laboratories
The College of St. Scholastica
1200 Kenwood Office
Duluth, MN 55811



What is competence? Is it as simple as taking blood pressure or supervising a graded exercise test? Or, maybe professional competence is defined by how many research studies are published? Anwers to these questions may not be all that simple. Exercise physiologists have not been that involved in what defines competence. Consequently, it may take some analysis before we can appreciate that while studying the physiology of human performance is a complicated undertaking, the process itself does not warrant professional status.

In short, the competent exercise physiologist is the person with the critical reflective knowledge, abilities, and skills to analyze and solve problems skillfully and efficiently. Could it be that simple? That is, to be a competent entry-level professional in the health, fitness, and rehabilitation field, all one needs is a strong academic foundation and good hands-on skills! The answer is NO because however good an individual is today, he/she can not be a competent professional without adaptability.

The strength of the competent practitioner (and thus the profession) lies in continuous adaptability. Unfortunately, this is precisely the missing piece. Adaptability. Building it into an organization is one thing; building it into a profession is another. It is an advanced way of thinking because it requires a new way of thinking. For example, why is there so little discussion about professional issues, what constitutes competence, or why exercise physiologists have not had a professional Code of Ethics? Is it not logical that a competent exercise physiologist must adhere to a standard of practice?

Being able to think through who we are and what we do are important professional issues. Anwers to both questions are critical to understanding and maintaining high levels of professional competence and credibility. The future of academic exercise physiology depends not only on the adaptability of the profession, but also on the ability of the academic professors to accept the responsibility of directing change.

All exercise physiologists must commit to adapting and maintaining competence. The key is the willingness to do what it takes, regardless of the work involved. It is the dedication to ongoing educational hands-on development and scientific inquiry and research that separates and defines professional competence.

Dedication and adaptability are the keys to developing competence in an ever-changing society. We need to dedicate our efforts to make changes where necessary to be responsible for our own competence. Part of the change is in assuming the responsibility for our own national certification, licensure, and accreditation of academic programs. Another part of the change is our increased adaptability as health, fitness, and rehabilitation professionals to ensure the professionalization of exercise physiology.

Professionalization is always ongoing. It takes into analysis whether licensure, as a popular clinical concern today is, in reality, more important than certification? There is some concern with the move by certain state governors to eliminate state regulatory boards that licensure may not be as important an issue in the future as it appears to be today. Even with licensure, it may restrict exercise physiologists to a specific scope of clinical practice. There is also the question of why exercise physiologists believe that regulation by certification isn't enough. Is it because physical therapist are licensed and, therefore, exercise physiologists need to be licensed too? Certifying exercise physiologists has the advantage over licensure simply because it is not restrictive. Certification increases the likelihood of employability, and it is acknowledged by Medicare and other third-party payers.

Certification is a credible step towards ensuring professional competence. It is academically based with defined educational credentials. As a result, exercise physiologists are better prepared to perform effectively and efficiency. The profession benefits as practitioners are evaluated with follow-up examinations (via continuing education and peer analysis of hands-on skills). It is also cost-effective when compared to licensure laws and, in particular, it avoids the problem of not being licensed in a state other than the state in which the exercise physiologist is licensed.

Additionally, it is important to point out that professional credibility (competence) is the 21st century issue in exercise physiology. In other words, the quest is not to access regulation because there is some hint that the public needs protection from exercise physiologists. The benefits to the public are obviously important, but the point of this article is professional competence. Exercise physiologists need to differentiate themselves professionally from other health, fitness, and rehabilitation healthcare providers.

A major step towards differentiation and professionalization is the recognition of specific professional standards of work. Of course, the degree to which exercise physiologists identify, describe, and state ownership of what they believe they do professionally is and should be the right of exercise physiologists. The need to come together and work through our differences in what each of us do in our different fields of work are important to providing competent and ethical services in exercise physiology.

Exercise physiologists must maintain their autonomy by regulating what they do from within their own organization (ASEP). If they don't, managed care, insurers, employers, other professional forces, the public and so forth will step forward to validate the exercise physiologists' competence. The process may even result in significant restrictions and regulations by practitioners of other professions. However, the likelihood of such a future outcome can be avoided by demonstrating continued competence through membership and certification programs via the American Society of Exercise Physiologists.

The credentialing facet of the Society must continue to adapt to academic developments and professional concerns to ensure a serious self-regulation of credible exercise physiologists. The challenge is enormous yet imperative to create certification programs that are inextricably linked to demonstrated job opportunities and continuing competence.

In sum, just as professions continue to evolve and change, maintaining competence is also an ongoing process. Success depends on adaptability, dedication, and shared decision-making. A positive attitude towards learning and application is also part of the checklist for success. Being competent is simply another word for accountability. The rise of exercise physiology in response to changes in the social environment has prompted the development of accountability measures. Collectively, exercise physiologists must work their jobs from a "scientific-based practice" in applied anatomy and physiology. This point is clear that the exercise physiologists' distinction from other groups of healthcare workers, who are still surrounded by a certain controversy over scientific inquiry versus traditional and/or popularized forms of therapy, is the mastery of scientific inquiry. 

Service
It's important to join the Society for the right reasons. Probably the most important reason is a sincere desire to help other exercise physiologists. To make a difference in the professionalization of exercise physiology isn't bad either. To change the profession for the better. Excellent! But it's important to know that, for all the work Society members do, they also receive a great deal in return. There are practical benefits such as working with new colleagues to feeling really good about helping the profession and making a difference.

The skills that are required of successful service are those required in just about any organization. The Society allows individuals the opportunity to develop and to share ideas. It is about creating opportunities, and becoming a member of a larger community of exercise physiologists. It is the beginning of the first big step to growing professionally.

To help you take the first step, please fill out the ASEP Membership Application located on the ASEP Table of Contents web site. Submit the completed application to the ASEP National Office in Duluth, MN. You may also want to submit a copy of your resume and a copy of your educational transcripts.

Staff at the National Office will be looking for detailed information about your education and work experience. Most applicants are accepted into the Society. A Membership Certificate is completed and sent to you along with an invitation to commit to different ASEP committees.

Working on a committee along side other exercise physiologists can be a special experience. Most memberships also qualify you for additional volunteer experience. The question is "How far are you willing to go to make a difference?"


Copyright ©1999 American Society of Exercise Physiologists. All Rights Reserved.

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