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.
