AMERICAN SOCIETY
OF EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGISTS
Founded, 1997

Professionalization
of Exercise Physiologyonline
An international electronic
journal for exercise physiologists
ISSN 1099-5862
Vol 2 No 9 September 1999


Changes and Transitions in Exercise Physiology

Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP

Professor and Chair, Department of Exercise Physiology, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN

Just a few years ago, most exercise physiologists believed that sports medicine promoted exercise physiology.  Today, exercise physiologists are questioning the wisdom of the relationship with sports medicine.  More exercise physiologists believe that the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) is the future of exercise physiology.  It is the change in thinking that is important to the emerging professionalism of exercise physiology.   However, it is important to understand that with change, there is the psychological transition that occurs much more slowly.

Before someone can become a member of ASEP, a change in thinking has to happen and the membership application is completed and sent to the National Office.  The process is pretty fast.  But the psychological transition from the sports medicine identity to the ASEP identity happens much more slowly.  Each person struggles for a time between the old and the new before deciding a course of action.  The struggle is emotionally harder for those who have a whole network of relationships with the old.  Others who are not so emotionally connected, but nonetheless confused by the change either delays their membership with ASEP or considers moving to other fields of work.

The transition period is where a lot of exercise physiologists are today.  They are in the waiting mode working through personal and professional issues and concerns.  It is the place where they will recognize that changing behavior starts with letting go of  old relationships and the old sense of identity.  Letting go is part of the transition that allows for change .  It is the psychological process of coming to terms with change.

The important point is that unless transition occurs successfully, change doesn’t work (1).  This means that ASEP membership will not be what it could be as long as exercise physiologists can’t let go of their old identity with sports medicine.  On the positive side, however, it also means that as exercise physiologists unlearn their old way of thinking, ASEP membership will grow.

Since the problem is letting go, what is it that exercise physiologists will actually lose?  Or, what is going to change?  Imagine that, aside from the acknowledgment of the unintentional dependency on sports medicine, they have to give up the familiar way of doing things that may influence their relationship with certain individuals, groups, and the roles that gave them a sense of accomplishment and professional belonging.  They may believe that the cause-and-effect activity of one thing on another may decrease their chances for job promotion as well as security.

Beliefs are subjective emotions and expectations.  Meaning, that building a case that demonstrates why the beliefs aren’t real may create more transition problems.  If exercise physiologists believe that their professional careers will be hurt by disassociating from the old, then we can’t help if we try to argue the point otherwise.  In trying to do so, they may think that we don’t care about their perceived losses.  It is much better to try an understand the perception of losing something that matters.

Indeed, exercise physiologists shouldn’t turn from the past, forget it altogether, or ridicule it.  The past association with sports medicine was the beginning then.  Exercise physiologists need to respect that the old identity served two masters, up to a point.  Now is different, however.  Exercise physiologists need to take from the past what they need, they need to be proud of their work, but now they need to recognize the significance of what was happening to exercise physiology.  In fact, for the sake of the original thinkers in the field, we have to let go to protect the integrity of exercise physiology.

Remember, though, letting go is part of the transition period.  It will take some exercise physiologists a short time to realize the importance of professional importance of ASEP.  It will take others a very long time, given their frustration and anxiety with their perceived losses.  Others will be resentful of ASEP and self-protective of sports medicine.  They may even create programs to manage the disoriented members.

The transition period is a chaotic time with a lot of rough going and, yet it sets the stage for change. It is a period during which time may appear to stand still and nothing is being done.  Old ideas are being examined and are being replaced by new ideas.  Old definitions become redefined, and uncomfortable feelings give way to creativity and hope.   Hence, the transition itself is not a bad place, per se.  It is the emotional place where the old way of believing disappears and the new way emerges, which raises the question, “What can ASEP members do to help other exercise physiologists in the transition see the value in having their own professional organization?”  Members can:

It isn’t unrealistic, therefore, to believe that each new ASEP membership is the new beginning for that individual.  The transition is complete with the ASEP beginning ending the old identity.  ASEP is increasingly the new beginning for more exercise physiologists who understand its purpose, plan, and appreciate having the opportunity to take part in building the new way things will be.

ASEP members can further help the non-member by carefully explaining the purpose behind what ASEP is doing.  The idea behind the efforts to build a certification just for exercise physiologists, to facilitate licensure, and to establish an academic accreditation is to professionalize exercise physiology.  The idea of a professional certification for academically prepared exercise physiologists, a licensure of their own, and a professional standing with other professions is something that all exercise physiologists should understand.  It is the answer to the question, “Why do we get so little respect?”  It represents a clear and appropriate purpose that has grown out of the situation faced by exercise physiologists.

Imagine how it will feel to be a recognized professional, alongside with physical therapy, nursing, and others.  The new reality of unified exercise physiology professionals will allow increased opportunities in the job market with better paying jobs, new positions of authority with greater responsibility and impact on the consumer, new in-roads in the translation and implementation of health, fitness, rehabilitative, and athletic information,
increased interaction with and support of other healthcare workers, and imagine also the feeling of understanding and support from the ASEP organization.

The Board of Directors of ASEP has a plan for achieving its purpose.  The plan should be reassuring to most exercise physiologists that something is being done to correct existing conditions, and that ASEP takes exercise physiologists’ needs seriously.  The plan requires the participation of the members to make the new beginning a partnership in effort and action.  There are numerous committees and, if there are not enough, more committees will be developed to give everyone a role in dealing effectively with the new reality.  Sharing problems and gaining new insights are significant parts to play in reinforcing the mission of ASEP.

The answer to the old identity is in the shared philosophy and sense of purpose in contributing to the new identity.  It is about working to accomplish the mission of ASEP. It is about unification, as an organization of professionals, dedicated to an organizational design that emphasizes quality in service to the public.  It is about being trustworthy and selling our services to others, which automatically implicates all ASEP members.  It is also about managing the transition from the old to the new to help ease the rethinking of old habits, and so I leave you with the following quote by Leo Tolstoy, a Russian writer:

“I know that most men, including those at ease with problems of the greatest complexity, can seldom accept even the simplest and most obvious truth if it be such as would oblige them to admit the falsity of conclusions which they have delighted in explaining to colleagues, which they have proudly taught to others, and which they have woven, thread by thread, into the fabric of their lives.”


References

1. Bridges, W. (1991). Managing transitions: making the most of change. New York: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.

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American Society of Exercise Physiologists.
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