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There has been a lot of progress in sports medicine and exercise science (physiology) during my professional lifetime, but I'm afraid it's heading in the wrong direction. In a nutshell, when exercise physiology receives less organizational support than sports medicine, something isn't right.

But why and where is the horrendous incompetence, if any? Where does the developed bureaucracy come from that sells sports medicine? The short answer is twofold: First, the sports medicine officials have achieved a lot from simple hard work and deception. Second, exercise physiologists may have become a victim of their own incompetence. As to the latter, whether the incompetence results from the accumulation of deadwood or just plain inefficiency doesn't matter, the end result is that exercise physiology has not moved forward as fast as sports medicine.

It is a paradox that in our time of considerable interest in sports medicine, when so many students are graduating from exercise physiology programs, we have never been less certain about what is ahead for exercise physiologists. The pitfalls have become only too obvious for our graduates. As it turns out, one could say that exercise physiologists have made their bed so let them lie in it.

But, just because exercise physiologists, as experts, have acted slowly with minimum information about professionalization, it doesn't mean they have stopped thinking. As W. Lippmann stated, "Where all think alike, no one thinks very much." Exercise physiologists must disengage themselves from sport medicine influences that are not relevant to the professionalization of exercise physiology. In so doing, they should move closer to discovering their own way.

Know Thy Direction
The ultimate purpose of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) is to help exercise physiologists chart a course toward a more rewarding professional life. Careful consideration of the priorities for professional growth will help keep exercise physiology moving forward.

The interest of ASEP members is in the future because that is where our graduates will spend their professional work. Members are also developing a concept of the professional they want to be. A self-concept that is consistent with professionalization as well as a vision that will contribute to their peace of mind and life on their own terms.

Knowing thy way isn't a easily learned lesson. It requires an organized effort and strategy to create reality. After all, it is perfectly logical to abandon a course of action that isn't helping the profession. This should not be surprising or illogical. It seems that some forget that professional development, like life, is an ever-changing process.

Concentrating Efforts
To strengthen a constructive professional base, exercise physiologists should concentrate their efforts within areas of competence. To avoid doing so will only escalation the job market problems, given the established hierarchies. Realistic ancademic alternatives to encourage the growth of exercise physiology will replace the poor employment opportunities. It is an arduous task, but well within reach.

Becoming more aware of our individuality and of how to avoid being manipulated into conforming to the goals and objectives of other organizations are extremely important. The future lies ahead. If we wish to make a new place for exercise physiologists, we have the materials. To put it another way: It is now our moral duty to save ourselves.

<>Aristotle, in 300 B.C., wrote that "Happiness is self-contentedness." Not until we start investing in our professional worth will society have faith in us. Many exercise physiologists have already gotten the feeling that change is inevitable and they are working on it. Others do not appear to know the absolute basis for their decisions, but they have a very distinctive feeling that it is "right" to act on their behalf. This feeling appears to be the sum total of their personalized experience and understanding of the issues faced by the profession.

However, trusting one's innate knowledge takes time. It isn't as straight forward as it seems. In fact, it may be an almost revolutionary concept to trust intuition. It helps to be motivated. Some individuals may be limited in realizing the power they possess in solving problems. As a result, they tend to rely heavily on the views of others that may be significantly problematic. For one, the assumptions of sports medicine professionals have proven inappropriate for specific situations faced by exercise physiologists.

"Business is business" is no longer an acceptable state of mind. Other professionals are prejuding the exercise physiologist. Their prejudiced points of view are entirely different from what motivates exercise physiologists. Therefore, it is advisable for all exercise physiologists to unite and connect emotionally. They need to listen with open minds to strength their collectively contendedness.

Thinking Ahead
After all is said and done, the reputation of exercise physiologists is in their hands. Down the road, survival is clear function of delivering first-rate service to the public. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.

There will be increasingly more bright young people majoring in exercise physiology. They will communicate better and faster with each other than the present form of teamwork and other communication styles. They will have increased ability to manage and develop programs to help society.

No longer will the public be closed to the exercise physiologist's message of healthcare management and prevention. They will have an organization to support and sell their professional abilities. Young and smart exercise physiologists will open doors of increased opportunities for all kinds of entrepreneurs in the health-fitness-rehab fields. Computers and home healthcare will become major players in realizing better health and fitness.

Exercise physiologists will be well-focused and self-confident. They will understand their own leadership strengths. Their ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face sessions will be well-understood by other professionals. They will experience a shared sense of purpose with other healthcare providers.