Change your thoughts and you change your world.

– Norman Vincent Peale

Making the Most of Change

Transitions are always a bit crazy. Nothing transforms easily. However it is desired, reorienting one’s mind around the future vs. the past is a matter of “caring and making the most of change” and just surviving. The difference between the two is huge, especially in terms of the need for change. ASEP is all about getting rid of the dust of the past and moving into the 21st century. It is different from ACSM and all other generic organizations that work to keep the membership base up and, of course, the bottom line — money! Those who oversee such organizations aren’t really interested in the psychological agenda of a discipline becoming a profession.

Failing to let go of the past is exactly why exercise physiologists are easy targets for existing organizations. So, with that knowledge, it is imperative that they stand up and move through the transition of a research discipline to a healthcare profession with not only feelings of comfort but knowing that it is the “right thing to do.”

Alfred North Whitehead, an American philosopher, said: “We think in generalities, but we live in detail.” I agree, except the ASEP leadership would say “We live in response to an agenda defined by either a personal goal or an organizational vision.” In short, it is time, if not pastime, to exit from sports medicine so that exercise physiologists can “become” who they were meant to be from the beginning.

Why not HOLD on to ASEP…why not rise to the occasion and state before the world that YOU are an EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST. After all, what they want you to do is to stand silent. Don’t do it. Get outside of the “in between-ness” of ACSM and ASEP and discover the new world of exercise physiology within ASEP.

What Is Success?

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded.

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

I would like to think that Emerson’s point of view speaks well for ASEP exercise physiologists who are in the fight of their lives to promote professionalism in exercise physiology. What do you think?

The Sports Supplement Pushers

The truth is that most people who teach sports nutrition are exercise physiologists. Another truth is that “sports nutrition is for sale.” A third truth is that neither exercise physiologists nor the business of sport is excused from the ethical issues confronting each [2]. And yet, however important it is to deal with morality and the standards of morality individuals should follow, very few articles have addressed the rightness and wrongness of the sports supplement pushers.

Exercise physiologists are responsible for addressing ethical questions such as those pertaining to professionalism and professional development unique to the profession of exercise physiology. Aren’t they? Or, is it true that exercise physiologists have the right to do as they please? The obvious short answer (or at least it should be) is that exercise physiologists are not above ethical issues facing their profession.

That being said, what obligations do exercise physiologists have to their students? One ethical decision the sports nutritionist faces is whether he or she is teaching sound nutritional information. When this done, the sports nutritionist can have a positive impact on athletics. When it isn’t done, the teaching of sports supplements as performance enhancers becomes an ethical problem. Most notably, there is an increase in the consumption of sports supplements. The underlying question here is who is failing athletics, the education of students, and the profession of exercise physiology? The answer to that question speaks to the failure of exercise physiologists in general.

The bottom line question remains: Who profits from teaching sports supplements rather than sports nutrition? The answer is the sports nutrition teachers, especially if they are consultants for the sports supplement industry. In addition to regular payments from the industry, they receive grant money to promote the sale of more supplements. Thus, the question becomes for exercise physiologists, “Is this an ethical stance to take?” Is it ethical to “use students in an educational setting to promote the sports supplement industry?”

Whether one sides with exercise physiologists who support the sports supplement industry or exercise physiologists who aren’t supporters of performance enhancement supplements, there is the question of fairness involved in the educational setting. What constitutes the right of college teachers to use the classroom to benefit financially? Just how much control are teachers allowed to have over the teaching process? Also, where does the phrase “in the best interest of students” enter into the discussion?

Although the position of teachers versus students must be respected, the basic principles of rightness and wrongness when dealing with students must be addressed. Currently, as incredible as it might be for other healthcare professionals, there is little discussion in the profession of exercise physiology about ethical issues. And yet, aren’t exercise physiologists responsible for dealing with unethical behavior? Aren’t they responsible for educating members of the profession about this problem?

Sports nutrition is regarded as one of the core courses in exercise physiology and related academic majors (such as exercise science, kinesiology, and human performance). Unfortunately, the teaching of sports supplements has been part of the traditional sports nutrition course taught by exercise physiologists. This thinking isn’t new. It is a growing problem within the profession of exercise physiology and intercollegiate athletics.

The “win at all costs” attitude is extremely dangerous. Athletes are known to take multiple supplements, including steroids. This problem is compounded because of lack of proper regulation of substances that are not banned or considered illegal. Academic exercise physiologists have been slow to deal with the ethical issues that surround performance enhancement substances. Why the ethical issues of cheating are simply ignored by exercise physiologists is partly selfish and partly a function of the failed sports medicine rhetoric.

Violations include improper academic thinking when it comes to the teachers’ responsibility: (a) to teach critical thinking in sports nutrition; (b) to deal with the lack of academic identification of “what is” appropriate behavior by sports nutritionists; (c) to address the failure to demonstrate professional conduct; and (c) to address the unethical conduct by exercise physiologists. The win at all costs attitude by college professors also dominates the teaching profession. The financial rewards and status are “big time” outcomes.

After a while, even though a handful of exercise physiologists may feel at odds with the rightness or wrongness of their behavior, it becomes easy to turn a blind eye to promoting performance enhancement substances. College teachers, students, and athletes feel pressure from many directions to succeed. And yet, shouldn’t they also feel the pressure of professionalization? Shouldn’t they understand that there is a ethical dilemma when they are acknowledged paid consultant of a sports supplement product while teaching sports nutrition?

Unfortunately, exercise physiologists have not made a commitment to addressing these questions just raised. Even when managers and other key figures from the sports supplement industry offer inducements such as travel to meetings, paid hotel rooms, and the purchase of laboratory equipment in order to get them to promote their products, the commercialization of exercise physiology (and sports nutrition) isn’t a good thing. As has been pointed out by others, there is good reason to believe that such behavior violates the spirit of sports [3].

While the majority of literature concerning ethics and sports has focused on ethical issues confronting athletes, as oppose to sports nutrition instructors. Only a few exercise physiologists have specifically addressed the ethical issues that confront sports nutritionists. Because of the complexity and work that goes along with title, credibility, and respect that associates with a profession, it would seem more than obvious that exercise physiologists would get a handle on the ethical issues faced by the profession of exercise physiology.

Several recommendations for ethical decision-making that might help encourage social and professional responsibility for supporting professional and ethical development of exercise physiologists are:

1. Recognize that there is a problem with exercise physiologists who promote performance enhancement substances.
2. Recognize that ASEP exercise physiologists are responsible to their own code of ethics that is highly relevant to the profession of exercise physiology.
3. Find the time to exam one’s own personal and professional values and beliefs regarding the profession as a teacher, research, businessman or woman in the application of exercise as medicine.
4. Consult with other healthcare professionals to determine the rightness and wrongness of personal and professional behavior when interacting with students, colleagues, associates, and clients.
5. Look for opportunities to write, research, publish, and/or present papers about the importance of an ethical decision-making model for exercise physiologists.
6. Share a short declaration of the ASEP key values that the organization and its members are expected to support.
7. Recognize that ethics should be viewed as a constellation of behavior standards that guide exercise physiologists’ actions beneficially.

References

1. von der Embse, T. J., Desai, M. S., and Ofori-Brobbey, K. O. (2010). A New Perspective on Ethics Safeguards: Where is the Clout? SAM Advanced Management Journal. Summer.
2. Boone, W. T. (2006). Is Sports Nutrition for Sale? New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
3. Hums, M. A., Barr, C. A., and Gullion, L. (1999). The Ethical Issues Confronting Managers in the Sport Industry. Journal of Business Ethics. 20:51-66.

Taken from the Journal of Professional Exercise Physiology, 2011, July, Vol 9, No 7.

Professional Organizations and Entrepreneurship

IN MANY WAYS, organizational development is not a natural thing to evolve. More often than not, it goes against the traditional pattern of thinking. Creating and developing the American Society of Exercise Physiologists [1] has not been easy. It has been work and a lot of it. But, it can be learned and, as long as it is treated as a duty, and as long as it is carried out in a disciplined manner, it can be done.

For ASEP to continue its influence on exercise physiology, it must create a structure that encourages exercise physiologists to be entrepreneurs. The leaders must think beyond their everyday way of thinking to change and to adapt the ASEP 21st century perspective. This means that ASEP must remain organized as the professional organization of exercise physiologists in the United States. Obviously, this requires the support of all exercise physiologists [2]. They are responsible for nourishing the struggles of professionalism.

In particular, exercise physiologists who are college professors must step up to the plate. They are uniquely responsible for changing the thinking of exercise physiology as a discipline to that of a profession and, more specifically, to a healthcare profession. Postponing action and support of ASEP can’t help the change process. No matter how busy they may be or for whatever reason they may want to stay disengaged, they must learn to try and extend themselves to make better what the ASEP leaders have already started.

This means there must be special moments at work or elsewhere to share with their colleagues the importance of ASEP and its work towards ethical thinking, accreditation, board certification, and standards of practice [3]. Even though they may know relatively little about each, by virtue of their identity with exercise physiology, they are responsible for extending themselves, for marketing exercise physiology, and for helping to change the work of exercise physiologists from the fitness gym mentality to that of a healthcare entrepreneur and innovator.

This doesn’t have to be a 24/7 way of living or thinking, just more than what has been the case for a decade. The American Society of Exercise Physiologists is a new organization. It is still in its infancy (just 14 years old) compared to the professional organization of physical therapists that is 90+ years in existence. No wonder the PTs are doing so well in healthcare.  It will not be long that PTs will be recognized as the experts in developing exercise prescriptions for health, fitness, and rehabilitation. No doubt the APTA organization has its leadership working on specific vision and goal statements for tomorrow as more PTs become healthcare entrepreneurs and innovators.

Why aren’t exercise physiologists making the same plans? Why can’t they see the big picture [4]? Why must exercise physiologists continue to neglect what other healthcare professionals have been doing for decades? Must exercise physiologists remain Bob’s Gym for $12 or $14 an hour without health benefits? The ASEP leaders don’t think so and yet, to ask the leadership to continue working 24/7 to shoulder the full burden of change and developing a new organization is like asking a gymnast to run a marathon day after day for 14 years. It can be done, but obviously very slowly. The innovative effort that underlies professionalism in exercise physiology is multifaceted, requiring the work of many to experience the benefits of change in a timely fashion.

The most important caveat is: If you believe that change is possible and you are willing to make it happen, then, it will happen but only in proportion to your support and that of your colleagues. Second, it is very important to reach out to exercise physiologists who are not involved in improving sports medicine and/or exercise science. After all, neither area of study is exercise physiology and only entrepreneurs at heart can understand this point. They get rather quickly the traditional purpose of rules, policies, and bureaucratic agendas than non-entrepreneurs. But, more importantly, they are driven more by creativity and the spirit of encouraging the start-up of new ventures.

Exercise physiology entrepreneurs understand the impact of new thinking, particularly job creation and economic growth. That’s why college courses exist to teach the vital components of entrepreneurship. In fact, Katz [5] indicates that “Approximately 2,200 courses are offered at 1,600 colleges and universities nationwide, more than 200 colleges and universities have majors and concentrations in entrepreneurship and at least 20 business schools require that all graduates of their institutions take entrepreneurship classes as part of their curriculum.”

Clearly, in regards to exercise physiology, two simultaneous problems prevail at the present time. First, there is a major shortage of entrepreneurship faculty at every academic rank. Second, there is the lack of PhD programs that provide a course in entrepreneurship for exercise physiologists. It is a fact that research in entrepreneurship should be an accepted and respected part of exercise physiology. Entrepreneurship is now a part of mainstream healthcare, especially in nursing and physical therapy.

If entrepreneurship is important, why aren’t more educators teaching their students the business fundamentals to enhance the probability of start-ups [6]? It is a good idea that the students’ entrepreneurship education should reflect the real-world environment, including paying attention to writing the business plan, new market development and expansion strategies, and financing and operating a business. Likewise, students need to know how to write a mission statement: What business is it in and what is its reason for being? Getting the statement right provides a direction to the entrepreneurs.

But, as Mathilde Krim said in Warren Bennis’s 2003 book [7], “People give their allegiance to an institution, and they become prisoners of habits, practices, and rules that make them ultimately ineffectual.” Similarly, Norman Lears is reported to have said in by Bennis that, “The first step toward change is to refuse to be deployed by others and to choose to deploy yourself. Thus the process begins.” That’s the trick, isn’t it? As exercise physiologists learn to step outside the influence and allegiance to institutions (such as sports medicine), thus refusing to be deployed by them they learn that change is possible. This means that they should have doubts about professionalism and entrepreneurship, it is natural to feel that way.

Doubts and mistakes are part of the change process. No one has to be perfect with the first step of something new. As Paul Tillich said, “Courage is self-affirmation in spite of that which tends to hinder the self from affirming itself.” Thus, regardless of the feelings of not being up to the task of creating a profession of exercise physiology, knowledge of what is right is a force that drives change. That is why Batten and Hudson said [8], “…the power for success lies in only one person and that is YOU. It’s in your mind.” It is time to stop surrendering our individuality and dreams. It is time to stop settling for less than what “all” exercise physiologists, not just the college professors, deserve – professional respect!

The bottom line is this: Exercise physiologists can’t be loyal to two masters. This is a fundamental principle of all healthcare professions. They understand that to grow in greatness as a profession requires a highly singular focus on integrity and authenticity. Both represent a freedom from phoniness or pretense [9], and both argue for genuineness and sincerity. Thus, the question: How can academic exercise physiologists be authentic, regardless of their enthusiasm for research, when they serve sports medicine? They can’t. Their judgment is clouded. No wonder it is difficult to talk and write about professionalism in exercise physiology, much less entrepreneurship.

Nevertheless, the burden of change and participation in shaping academic conditions and circumstances is the exercise physiologist’s responsibility. Far too much time has been lost to confining the college professors’ decisions strictly to the didactics of instruction. Clearly, at present, it is true that the ASEP leaders’ claim that exercise physiology is a profession is difficult to defend. In many ways, from the general public’s point of view, the applicant with a degree in exercise physiology is no different from the personal trainer with a weekend-warrior certification. This is why exercise physiologists must educate the public sector as they claim to do in colleges and universities. Potential employers need to understand that exercise physiologists have their own special knowledge that isn’t generally shared or known by non-exercise physiologists.

Questions about the profession of exercise physiology should be answered based on the context of their work, the complexity of the context, and the special scientific knowledge, hands-on skills, the complexity of the context, and the burden of judgment entailed. This is as the ASEP leaders believe, and why they are involved in creating a “true” profession of exercise physiology. And yet, even after a decade since its founding, the use of words [10] such as “…profession, professional, professionalism, and professionalization have been accompanied by an alarming lack of discourse.” It is not surprising and most unfortunate that a person who is a little bit knowledgeable can be considered as an authority in the use of exercise as medicine.

The dismaying part of this thinking is the failure of the academic exercise physiologists to capture and build on the concept of exercise physiology as a healthcare profession. In fact, it has proven difficult, even ugly on behalf of some colleagues, to engage them in issues surrounding the role of exercise as medicine the implications of this for exercise physiologists. The concept of exercise physiology as a profession separate from sports medicine is simply too much to grapple with. And yet, unless they acquire the backbone to embrace the ASEP vision [11], the moral imperatives that arise out of the academic study of exercise physiology for enculturating students remain untouched.

The most obvious moral deficiency in this area is the failure to academically and professionally support the students of exercise physiology. The faculty is driven to do research after research and support generic organizations while neglecting their students’ issues and challenges in locating financially good jobs in the public sector. It is not enough to just lecture and assign grades, however important. A profession, such as the emerging profession of exercise physiology, cannot stand idly by in the face of evidence that academic exercise physiologists continue to turn a blind eye to the student’s financial investment in the academic major. Society cannot afford college teachers who fail to understand and assume the moral burden that goes with accessing knowledge and applying the same to pay the bills as an employed professional.

If exercise physiology is to become the responsible, credible academic major that it must, the college professors must be purposefully engaged in the work of professionalism. They must start recognizing exercise physiology as something different from sports medicine and exercise science. Self-proclamation of their professional beliefs and status is important. They must assume the responsibility for continuing to: (1) educate the public sector that exercise physiologists have a strong “scientific” knowledge base; and (2) that the ASEP restrictions on “what is exercise physiology” and “who is an exercise physiologist” are important to being recognized as having power and prestige as a healthcare profession. It is with this insight that exercise physiologists recognize legitimacy is directly linked to their combination of knowledge complexity and technical innovations.

Here, it is also important to recognize the shift in rhetorical grounding of the past to a fundamental shift in the rhetoric of ASEP leaders (i.e., with the letting go of long-held beliefs). Professionalization is the central focus of contemporary ideas and concerns that drives the improvement of exercise physiology. It is a highly specific rhetoric that clusters around notions pertinent to knowledge, such as the application of physiology to sports and athletics. Yet, this is not the concept that captures the essential meaning of exercise physiology as a healthcare profession. The challenge before academic exercise physiologists is to design career opportunities for their students. Not surprisingly, then, why not teach students how to start their own healthcare business? Why not teach exercise physiology entrepreneurship? Start-ups can be thought of in the same context as a new research project!

When properly prescribed by a Board Certified Exercise Physiologist, regular exercise improves mind-body health. But, unfortunately, there are not enough healthcare start-ups by exercise physiologists. The so-called fitness professionals and personal trainers have instead taken the lead. Almost overnight it seems, the word “trainer” has gained in popularity. But, since they are not scientifically trained in exercise physiology, there is a very strong reason to think that exercise physiologists add a new layer to the healthcare in the United States. The exercise physiologist’s cardiovascular training and scientific way of thinking are highly valued. And yet, if the trainer is believed equal to the exercise physiologist, the road to successful career paths will be long and arduous.

Hence, one thing is clear. Working at Bob’s Gym without health benefits or as a part-time cardiac rehab technician does not cut it. Think about it. Many college graduates have more than $100,000 in tuition loans! The competitive advantage lies in exercise entrepreneurship whereby the exercise physiologist takes the lead in managing his or her own economic and social well-being. So, if you are advising exercise physiology students, why not have them take courses in accounting, finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship along with the traditional exercise physiology courses? If you are a student, why not take an entrepreneurship and small business education course that teaches the “how to” about hanging a shingle and developing a financial strategy [12]?

References
1. American Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2011). ASEP Home Page. [Online]. http://www.asep.org/
2. Boone, T. (2009). The Professionalization of Exercise Physiology: Certification, Accreditation, and Standards of Practice of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP). Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press.
3. Boone, T. (2007). Ethical Standards and Professional Credentials in the Practice of Exercise Physiology. Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press.
4. Boone, T. (2011). Contemporary Exercise Physiology: The Big Picture. Professionalization of Exercise Physiologyonline. 14:3 [Online]. http://faculty.css.edu/tboone2/asep/Contemporary_Exercise_Physiology_The_Big_Picture.docx
5. Katz, J. A. (2003). The Chronology and Intellectual Trajectory of American Entrepreneurship Education. Journal of Business Venturing 18(2): 283-300.
6. Edelman, L. F., Manolova, T. S., and Brush, C. G. (2008). Entrepreneurship Education: Correspondence Between Practices of Nascent Entrepreneurs and Textbook Prescriptions for Success. Academy of Management Learning & Education. 7:1:56-70.
7. Bennis, W. (2003). On Becoming a Leader. New York, NY: Basic Books
8. Batten, J. D. and Hudson, L. C. (1966). Dare To Live. West Nyack, NY: Parker Publishing Company, Inc.
9. Pullias, E. V., Lockhart, A., Bond, M. H., Clifton, M., and Miller, D. M. (1963). Toward Excellence in College Teaching. Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. C. Brown Company Publishers.
10. Goodlad, J. I. (1990). The Occupation of Teaching in Schools. Goodlad, J. I., Soder, R., and Sirotnik, K. A. [Editors]. The Moral Dimensions of Teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
11. American Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2011). ASEP Vision. [Online]. http://www.asep.org/organization
12. Berson, S. A. (2011). Starting Up: If You’re Hanging a Shingle in 2011, Financial Strategy Begins Now. ABA Journal. 97.1:40-44.

Note: This post was previously published in the Professionalization of Exercise Physiologyonline electronic journal (2011;14:4:1-13).

The Exercise Physiologist’s Practice

It is interesting that exercise physiologists seldom ever talk about the practice of exercise physiology. Surely, there must be a practice and how it might function in the life of an exercise physiologist. And yet, it is not surprising that so little is said or written about the work of exercise physiologists.

Hopefully, given the work of the ASEP leadership, the need for a better conceptualization of the practice of exercise physiology is at work throughout society. Surely, in this regards, the reader understands the intent of the word “practice.” It must be a rather familiar expression, such as a lawyer’s practice, a doctor’s practice, or the practice of physical therapy.

In rather simple terms, a definition of the practice of exercise physiology is the shared professional activities that address the fundamental application of the multi-dimensional exercise physiology concepts and ideas, woven together, to form a complete mind-body medicine in the form of a prescriptive exercise program.

This thinking is critical to the exercise physiology practice that the ASEP leaders have written into the ASEP Standards of Professional Practice. The document represents a board certified exercise physiologist’s way of life, which is centered on the core scientific fact that exercise is medicine.

It isn’t surprising that this topic is important and that it represents the experience of the ASEP leaders and members. Their beliefs and understanding of “what is exercise physiology” and “who is an exercise physiologist” are seriously different from the traditional sports medicine way of thinking.

One might point out that the exercise physiology practice, such as the scientific application of “exercise as medicine” to the multitude of mind and body problems, represent the board certified exercise physiologist’s way of life. Such thinking is based on the resources and work of the ASEP leaders towards the professionalization of exercise physiology.

So, the reader might ask “what are some core beliefs that drive the practice of exercise physiology?” ASEP’s code of ethics and its reasons for guiding the work of ASEP exercise physiologists. The EPC credential is a significant break from traditional sports medicine. Commitment to their clients and patients, especially during the development of individualized exercise prescriptions. They understand the way of the future is by embracing the business model and starting one’s own healthcare complex.

Lastly, let me point out the importance of discerning the will of the students through a better educational curriculum.  The way of the ASEP accreditation highlights the centrality of professionalism and the practice of exercise physiology.  This point is fundamental to the change process as it makes the EPC distinction explicitly different from the non-exercise physiology certifications.  This infusion of new thinking and this new ASEP 21st century perspective represents the practices that will overcome the inertia of past thinking.  Thus, in the end, the work of the ASEP leadership isn’t just about the intellectual illumination of the profession of exercise physiology.  Instead, I believe it points precisely to core of a new healthcare profession; one that will enrich our understanding of the importance of exercise beyond athletics and competition.

Imagine Yourself Looking Back

Imagine yourself at some point in the future looking back. What do you see? How do you judge the college exercise physiologists? Did they step up to the plate or did they remain trapped in yesterday’s thinking? Was it ASEP that ultimately professionalized exercise physiology or some other organization?

My guess is that it will be ASEP and those who support the professionalization process. It will be something special because there will be fewer college graduates without hope for their future. It will definitely be a huge change of mind as to how exercise physiologists view the profession. It will much easier to answer the question, “What do you do?”

It may seen an outrageous hypothesis that exercise physiologists will be recognized as credible healthcare professionals. They will no longer graduate with an exercise science or related degree and, then, simply call themselves an EP.

The ASEP leaders and the membership are already well into the mind change that supports professionalism. It has altered the way others see the profession. Most notably, it has engaged the process of change to the point of delegitimating sports medicine’s role in the future of exercise physiology.

Our ability to travel successfully the change from ACSM and other organizations to ASEP depends on keeping levels of understanding high and anxiety low. This point is emphasized here because of its contemporary relevance.

Basic Issues in Sports Ethics

This book argues that cheating not only destroys the integrity of sports, it destroys the integrity of the athlete and everyone who either supports cheating or allows it to happen.

Majors topics such as “athletics is over the edge,”“performance-enhancing substances,”“victory with honor,”“negative impact of marketers,” and “accountability” are discussed in reference to the “cheat pushers” who must not be allowed access to those who love athletics.

Reviews

“. . . a highly relevant book that should help coaches and athletes understand the need for leadership in athletics. It should also be helpful for a generation of students, exercise physiologists, and everyone else anxious to think, talk, and write about sports. And even though athletes are prone to use sports supplements, it is important that board certified exercise physiologists state their case against such use. Of course it wise to realize that even with the best of intentions, it will not be easy to change the views of every athlete, coach, trainer, or exercise physiologist with a sports nutrition interest.” –Prof. Hal Strough, The College of St. Scholastica

“Dr. Tommy Boone reiterates in this book, the reason for sports competition is not all about winning at the cost of fairness, honesty, integrity, character, and honor due to cheating. It is to remember that sports should be done with a child’s heart, for the •fun of doing it and for the physical, mental, social and moral benefits it provides. If we as parents and coaches do not get a foothold on the affirmative character and moral values of sports, the athlete will fail the test of the hero and athletic competition will mean nothing.” – Steve Brock, Ph.D., Exercise Physiologist

Table of Contents

Foreword by Marcos A Sanchez-Gonzalez, MD, EPC
Preface by Hal Strough, PhD, ATC
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Athletics Is Over the Edge
2. Cheaters Render Sports Meaningless
3. Using Performance-Enhancing Substances
4. Is Sports Nutrition For Sale?
5. Change Is A Process
6. True Victory Is Achieved With Honor
7. Cost of Commercializing Sports Nutrition
8. Sports Nutrition in 2020
9. Negative Impact of Marketers
10. Anatomy of Explicit Behaviors
11. The Pursuit of Accountability
12. Becoming a Leader in Athletics
Epilogue: The Athletic Cheat Pushers
References
Index

ISBN10: 0-7734-3909-9 ISBN13: 978-0-7734-3909-2 Pages: 292 Year: 2009

Series: hors série Number: 0

Subject Area: Sports & Recreation

Imprint: Edwin Mellen Press

USA List Price: $109.95 UK List Price: £ 69.95

Greener Grass!

As Charles Darwin noted, “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. Can exercise physiology meet the challenge? I think it can. One way is that demonstrates the exercise physiologist’s desire to take charge of their profession is through entrepreneurship. As beginning practitioners, they are choosing a path that represents “greener grass.” Starting my own health care business, says board certified exercise physiologist of “Ahrens Exercise Physiology” has made all the difference. That’s why the ASEP accreditation guidelines must prepare exercise physiologists accordingly. In fact, as exercise physiology moves from a paradigm of gym fitness and/or just cardiac rehab to one of total health care promotion and wellness and of disease and illness prevention, exercise physiologists will encounter challenges. In particular, this new thinking will require new knowledge and especially business skills to be effective. With a few courses this is 100% within reach. In their own health care business setting, exercise physiologists meet clients on their turf instead of the traditional instructor, specialist, or trainer perspective that dominates exercise science and sports medicine. The ASEP perspective is that health care involves the biological, physical, sociological, cultural, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of a client’s life. It also involves teaching the client about self-responsibility and awareness of cardiovascular fitness, nutritional competence, stress management, and spirituality. Change is possible, however threatening. With the right attitude, the popularity, growth, and integration of entrepreneurship opportunities has (and will continue to) provide exercise physiologists with a valuable inroad to personal and professional success.

ASEP Leaders are Change Agents

The ASEP leaders want to change exercise physiology from a discipline to a profession.  They want the students of exercise physiology to have the same career options and benefits as other students.

The idea that it is okay to continue with the dozens of different undergraduate degree titles is senseless if not legally questionable.  As agents of change, they want the academic exercise physiologists to open their eyes to what is going on around them.

The ASEP leaders believe that students deserve more, should have more, and of course should be recognized for their professionalism and credibility.  The ASEP organization is slowly but surely making the way for graduates into a new world of healthcare options.  They want to see things happen faster, but all change is usually a very slow process.

Deep inside of us we know that everything about us is changing.  As they say, “Change is constant.”  It is always going on and that will be the case forever.  Look about you.  If it isn’t the car passing you or the one you are driving, it is a new road to work or a new path to jog. Change is constantly going on around us.

The question is this:  What is the relation between ASEP and exercise physiologists?  Take a few moments to think about this before looking at the answer, which is written in reverse: PESA si eht lanoisseforp noitazinagro fo esicrexe stsigoloisyhp.