A Time to Choose
Imagine it is 1996, and you are an exercise physiologist somewhere in the United States. You no longer believe, as your colleagues do, that your work and who you are can be defined by the American College of Sports Medicine. But you still have respect for your friends even thought they believe in their divine right to rule over you. You can’t imagine why you still respect them, but you do. After all, some of them contributed significantly to the exercise physiology body of knowledge (even though it frequently goes by the name of sports medicine).
You have heard how sports medicine authorities tried their best to work with the ASEP leadership! Yet, you know the truth, and you know that they continue to discount the work of the ASEP leaders. It just doesn’t make sense, but nonetheless it is still true today. ACSM officials have not acknowledged the right of ASEP to exist. Who is responsible for the contradictions and the untruths should be obvious, but it isn’t. And that leads to one of the main messages of this posting: For the first time in the history of exercise physiology, members of the profession can belong to their own professional organization. This is a revolution that got its start in 1997. It’s all about having the choices the revolution offers — and all of us — now have the opportunity to shape a new exercise physiology. Frequently, I refer to it as “the” 21st century exercise physiology.
Many factors influenced the founding of ASEP. Overall, though, it was done on behalf of something better for students of exercise physiology (or, in actuality, those who think they are majoring in a degree program that earns the title, exercise physiologist). There is, however, a critical difference between exercise science and exercise physiology or other related degree programs and exercise physiology. Even more remarkably, while members of the ASEP organization get it, the sports medicine “fitness professionals” do not get it. And herein lies another key message of this posting: The sports medicine organization is not what it was in the 70s and 80s. In other words, you can see all too easily that the leaders have simply failed to lead on behalf of exercise physiologists. Frankly, this came as a shock to me just a few years before closing the intellectual door to sports medicine. As I think about it, in a sense, it was already closed for years before my mind was open by the possibilities of belonging to one’s own professional organization. There are big differences between an umbrella organization and a profession-specific organization. It hardly needs saying what the differences are but, frankly, I try every month in the PEPonline electronic journal. In fact, the journal is full of examples about exercise physiology, code of ethics, board certification, accreditation, standards of practice, and much more to help move the reader to move forward in professional development, credibility, and accountability.
What we need is a new model of exercise physiology, and that is the ASEP organization. It doesn’t just mean getting big or “big is better” kind of thinking. It is all about quality and integrity. ASEP is “the” leader in exercise physiology. The leaders are inspired to do the right things for the right reasons. By communicating a vision that speaks to hope and opportunity for all exercise physiologists, others see the value in ASEP, others see the realistic views the leaders write about, and still others focus on the message of professionalism. None of this evolved from “sheer good luck.” Rather, it has evolved from “sheer hard work.” And, the work is not finished. Exercise physiology will be evolving for decades to come. Members are especially challenged to find their own authentic voice as healthcare professionals.
It is now up to you to make the choice between sports medicine and exercise physiology. This new awakening is the springboard for solutions to problems. It is all about networking and communicating and, yes, coming together and breathing life into exercise physiology. Remember, as the German philosopher Schopenhauer said in so many words: All truth [or a new idea, like ASEP] passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is opposed. Third, it is accepted. The process is well underway. This is a “time of choosing.” It is a way for you to create the future of exercise physiology rather than turning it over to others who don’t know what to do. Personal commitment is powerful. Why not choose today? Do you want to be a fitness professional? Do you want to be an exercise physiologist?
“There may be a price to pay in terms of ridicule by those who can’t match your courage, but that is the price of leadership.” — Terry Pearce, author of Leading Out Loud