It’s Time to Change
I know I’ve written about “change” in dozens of articles I’ve published in PEPonline. But, frankly, at times, like today, it gets old that change is so darn slow. First, though, I must say that at this moment, 6:20 pm on Labor Day, the day before the semester getting underway, it is a most unusual day. All about me, as I sit on my front deck with Chacie by my side, I hear people doing things.
Just 50 yards from me there is work on a small building to store things. The owner of the cabin, which is just 150 yards from Lake Superior, is getting ready for the winter months. He lives in the Twin Cities. His heart, it seems, can be found on a much smaller piece of land where he helped to build a very small house with his father years ago. Strange how people get hooked on emotional feelings that require their attention (i.e., the little storage building).
I should point out that no leaves in the trees are moving as I write this, but I hear the electric saw cutting through yet another 2 x 4. The more I hear it the more I know the structure is changing. Soon it will be exactly what he intends it to be, and it will serve his family’s purpose. Of course, he could just do nothing, right, which brings me to the reason for writing this piece. So many of my colleagues are doing nothing about the professional development of exercise physiology!
Hello, anyone listening? You heard me correctly. NOTHING! I don’t see how or why exercise physiologists don’t get it. It is time to change from sports medicine thinking to exercise physiology thinking. Just as the saw just cut to divide one board into two boards, we need to cut ourselves from a history of going no where. Oh, you may be shocked by such a statement. If so, get real. Nothing about sports medicine, except the opportunity afforded exercise physiologists to present their research at national meetings, has moved exercise physiology forward as a healthcare profession. NOTHING.
By the way, remember that every other professional from all other professions has had the same opportunity. Not once or ever has it been specific to exercise physiology. Physical therapists, medical doctors, physiologists, and others from 20+ different professions have had the same opportunity. But, what is different is truly something important? Each profession has its own professional organization to do all those things so few people (or members) seem to think about. This is not true for exercise physiology. At no time has the collective body of exercise physiologists embraced each other within their own professional organization. Presenting an abstract or a paper at ACSM or some other professional meeting is just that, nothing else. Yet, when PTs present their work at ACSM, they also have the opportunity and support of the APTA organization.
Before 1997, this was not possible for EPs. It is possible today, but so many seem to walk around with two blind eyes to the work of the ASEP leadership on their behalf. It argues for the statement, “Hello, wake up EPs.” Wake up before it is too late. Yes, I said this before but no one is listening. Hello, hello, whether you have a PhD or a bachelor’s degree, think about what is what regarding exercise physiology. Clearly, if you have an exercise science degree you cannot call yourself an exercise physiologist. This is true also with respect to the human performance degree or one of a dozen other degrees. Why? Get real, please. If you want to be a nurse, you must have an academic degree in nursing. Makes sense. Let’s try it again. If you want to be a physical therapist, you must have an academic degree in PT. Do you get it yet? Okay, one more time. If you want to be a lawyer, you must have a degree in law.
People…it is time to change! It is time to stand up and scream to the world that exercise physiology is a healthcare profession. Hello, did you hear what I just said. Oh, I get it. Shocked by my directness, are you? Well, what can I say except: “It’s time to change.” It is time to stop what is common and start doing what is uncommon. It is time to speak out on behalf of exercise physiologists. So, having said that, I also want to say that the ASEP leadership have put in place the infrastructure for professional development of exercise physiologists.
Yes, however slow for others to value or to appreciate, ASEP has an accreditation process. Faculty members from whatever school can begin the changes necessary to move their degree program to exercise physiology. And, when accredited, assuming that takes place, students can expect to sit for the “Exercise Physiologist Certified” (EPC) exam. The exam is especially important, just as the APC exam is the Athletic Trainer Certified professional. At present, it is the essence of the licensure exam for nurses and othes with licensure. It holds the professional accountable to a code of ethics and a standards of professional practice, along with numerous other professionals concerns.
Hello, is anyone listening? It is time to change. It is time to start thinking as an exercise physiologist. Yes, it is time to grow up, professionally speaking!