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Exercise physiology is a profession that is evolving, just as nursing is a profession that continues to experience constant change. Most students interested in exercise physiology do not major in it. For many reasons, they nonetheless often call themselves exercise physiologists. Of course, this is wrong but such divergent views about exercise science and exercise physiology exist today that no one is really wanting to tackle them. Students don’t know any different. After all, they depend on the teachers for guidance. The teachers contribution to the exercise physiology versus sports medicine dialogue is essentially zero. In short, they are not interested in a solution to the students’ problems.

Helping students to get the big picture is not easy. A few students are able to handle the discussion. Some feel strongly the need to argue or even demonstrate disrespect when exercise science (as an example) is defined for what it actually is. Others are somewhat less aggressive, but cautious about believing something different from sports medicine. Still others just do not care. So, how do you help students like these? That is the question!

I believe it is difficult. At times, it is impossible and a waste of time to continue trying to change the thinking of students who are not interested. Honestly, you cannot make a dog or a horse drink water if either is not interested. The same is true for students. But, the risk of students not knowing often drives the college teacher to keep trying.

I can tell you from personal experience that it is a complete waste of time. Students who are not interested are disruptive and problematic. Having said that, what do you do? I think one answer is to continue writing as I have done. Continue sharing what matters, just as I am doing in this post.

History matters. What I have to say matters. None of it is a waste of time even should a student not get it. The future of exercise physiology depends on boldness and courage to stay the course. It is not uncommon that these things happen when change is introduced that results in a certain uncomfortableness among students and colleagues.

Exercise physiology is a healthcare profession. It is not or does not have to be a discipline limited to research and/or cardiac rehab or even to just athletics. In regards to rehab, it is sad to acknowledge that fact that what was a primary area of significant work for exercise physiologists no longer is as it was. Cardiac rehab is essentially a nursing and/or hospital model of operation (phases I and II vs. what was and still is important, phase III).

Nurses study and learn from their past. We do not. History is important, but we do not think in those terms. Historically speaking, exercise physiologists have always associated with sports medicine. But, sports medicine is not exercise physiology. Since only a few brave souls have come together to fight for the rights of exercise physiologists to exist within their own professional organization, the economic and otherwise rewards have been slow in coming.

Time after time, it has been declared that “nurses must unite” to access professional autonomy and self-determination. And, yet after 100+ years, they are still as divided as ever. They spend so much time fighting each other that they often have little time fighting their true enemies. Frankly, this is exactly what exercise phyiologists are doing?

Nurses should be (and have learned to some extent) to work together. The ASEP leaders have urged exercise physiologists to work together for nearly a decade now. With a unified front, exercise physiologists could accomplish so many important things to help everyone that it is, unfortunately, a very sad fact that progress is so slow.  Students and exercise physiologists, like nurses, must become active in building their profession. Do not undervalue your position as a student. You can make a difference. Do you really want to work side-by-side with high school graduates in fitness jobs at $7/hr without any hope of medical benefits? Of course not. A college education means something in this country or, at least, it is should.

Point in fact, however, a degree in exercise science is meaningless. But, a degree in exercise physiology gives hope of something better. Just as nursing for a long time was a trade. Perhaps, the nurse functioned as a widow who had nursed her husband till his diemise. My point is that almost anyone in the beginning could call herself a nurse, just anyone can today call him- or herself an exercise physiologist.

In other words, are these exercise science graduates really exercise physiologists? Not to the leaders of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists, but to the public and others they are. This is most unfortunate. What is the real image of exercise physiologists? They are members of the ASEP organization, graduates of an accredited exercise physiology degree program, board certified exercise physiologist, uphold the ASEP code of ethics, and understand the exercise physiologists’ standards of professional practice.

Just as nursing was so poorly understood for many decades, it is the same with exercise physiology. This is changing, however, as it has with nursing. “Nursing is doctoring…” is now very similar to the idea that “exercise physiology is a healthcare profession.”

Just as prior to 1873 the trained nurse did not exist in this country, prior to 1997 the professional infrastructure did not exist as a credible foundation from which to promote and develop exercise physiology as a healthcare profession. In light of what has transpired since then, we should be happy with our work.

Today, I got a copy of the 2003 book by Bennis and Nanus entitled Leaders: Strategies for Taking Charge.  It is an easy read and, interestingly, it was first published in 1985. Imagine publishing a book with more than 500,000 copies sold! Exercise physiologists are no where close to such a number. Anyway, the title of this piece is a quote from their book. It makes a lot of sense to me. Our future is now, not some point down the road. And, frankly, it is our turn. Those who disagree with me should get out of the way. The 21st century is the “exercise physiologist’s turn” for significant changes in exercise physiology as a healthcare profession.

What the ASEP leaders are doing today (and for nearly a decade now) is no different from the work of other healthcare professionals. None of them got to where they are by not working hard to realize their vision (and dreams). They know all too well the challenges of any new discipline evolving as a profession.  Just think about it: “There are the hard times in which a genius would wish to live. Great necessities call forth great leaders.” This was written by Abigail Adams in a letter to Thomas Jefferson in 1790. There is no reason not to expect that any organization of men and women will not work hard. It is the nature of things. It is all a matter of vision, commitment, hard work, and heart.

The ASEP leadership is making it happen, much like the words from T.E. Lawrence. “All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds Awake to find tha tit was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men, That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible.” They, the ASEP leadership have their eyes open and on the target.  They have a dream. The dream is becoming the reality of all exercise physiologists. In the end, they have communicated a new vision, have acted on it, and they personify it. In truth, this is really not that different from the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. or the dream of the owner of the local hardware store.

All leaders deal with overcoming resistance. That’s all part of the transition period in the change process. They understand it. Do you?

“In that no man’s land between 100s of fitness certifications and effective leadership, the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) is a welcoming bridge.”

How many times have you felt stuck in a sort of “no man’s land” between the fitness instructor mentality and the healthcare professional. While the latter is still evolving in exercise physiology, it is developing and in accordance with the expectations of the ASEP leaders. So, if you feel alone in the no man’s land, ASEP awaits your innovative thinking and support.

Presently, it’s been demonstrated by other established healthcare professions that meaningful progress begins with a vision.  “Vision is more than what you see. Vision is opening your eyes — and your mind’s eye, as well — to that inner place where you see and forsee, where you dream and imagine and create….You could be satisfied with the status quo. You could be content to leave things as they are. You could choose not to “rock the boat,’ ‘upset the apple cart,’ or ‘make waves.’ You could repeat the sad and dangerous words, so often heard: ‘But we’ve always done it this way.’ But then you and your business would probably not improve, not progress, not prosper.” — Dosick, R.W. (1993). THE BUSINESS BIBLE: Ten Commandments for Creating an Ethical Workplace. New York, NY: William Morrow and Company, Inc., p. 29.

Simply put, ASEP has opened my eyes to our reality and especially that of the academic exercise physiologists. ASEP is also that inner place where I gain comfort knowing that dedicated men and women are working for all exercise physiologists. Yes, it is a place to dream of something better. And, just imagine the possibilities if we would only come together now rather than later to create our future.

Leadership is imperative. Why not become part of the bridge to success by joining ASEP? Despite the inertia of the established thinking that has existed for decades, your leadership is critical to our collective integration into the healthcare maket. With this in mind, why not click on the ASEP application and become a member?

This need to focus on integrating professionalism and professional development in exercise physiology should not come as a surprise to anyone. With just a little reflection, most of us will understand it is important for us to be critical thinkers and problem solvers within the changing dynamics of healthcare. In fact, if we are to make a significant impact, as physical therapists and nurses have done, we need a powerfully strong bridge to succeed. I think that bridge is the ASEP board certification (or, in other words, the Exercise Physiologist Certification).

As most of us appreciate and understand all too well, certification isn’t a new concept by any means. But, in this case, the EPC is different from other certifications.  Members of other healthcare professions have embraced similar steps decades ago. It is past time that we frame our thinking within the ASEP professional infrastructure. It is the context we need and the professional framework to support the needed changes within the field.

No doubt you have heard the expression as I have: “There are going to be times when we can’t wait for the experts to act.” It is a kind of thinking that is at the heart of rational thinking. Whether it is an organization or a company poised to move or friends lost in the woods, there is a moment when it is obvious that nothing else matters except deciding to act. It is then that everything that was is no longer the person’s reality, and everything that is possible becomes one’s reality.

The simple truth is this: Rather than staying the same, you evolve and adapt. Failing to do so is a problem of significant proportions. Consider the case of exercise physiologists. It has been eight years since the founding of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists. While outstanding accomplishments have been noted, much remains to be done. Most importantly is the “becoming of age.” Now, inherited in the new management of exercise physiology is new 21st century view of exercise physiologists as healthcare professionals.

Not only is this a critical understanding, it is the main reason for the founding of the ASEP organization. As such, it is quite the contrast with sports medicine and other similar mega organizations. The key to its success is the fact that it exists for students. There is no evidence to the contrary. The notion that a college education ought to be valued and, thus result in important career opportunities is at the center of the ASEP vision.

In short, it is time to act as healthcare professionals.  Think about it…there is no better time than now.