Exercise Physiologist

Professionalism and Exercise Physiology

Concern for health, fitness, and well-being has resulted in shared research efforts throughout the last half of the 20th century. Academic scholars in exercise physiology have helped other professionals to understand that regular exercise improves physiological, mental, and emotional health. Today, there are board-certified exercise physiologists (EPCs) with an interest in exercise as medicine, others who are interested in rehabilitation, and still others who are interested in health care or athletics.

The ASEP leadership has played a central role in gaining visibility and acceptance for exercise physiology as a credible health care profession. They developed the ASEP accreditation process, which defines exercise physiology. They also developed the board certification program to hold exercise physiologists accountable to a code of ethics and standards of practice.

In addition to protecting the public, the significance of the code is that students and professionals in the study and application of exercise physiology to health care and athletics can turn to it for guidance in professional conduct. Adherence is based on the belief that exercise physiologists are self-regulated, critical thinkers who are accountable for maintaining a high level of competence in the practice of exercise physiology.

Exercise physiology includes (a) the identification of the physiological mechanisms underlying physical activity; (b) the comprehensive delivery of treatment services concerned with the analysis, improvement, and maintenance of health and fitness; (c) the rehabilitation of individuals with heart disease and other chronic diseases and/or disabilities; and (d) the professional guidance and counsel of athletes and others interested in sports training and human adaptability to acute and chronic exercise. The ASEP defines an exercise physiologist as a person who has an academic degree in exercise physiology or who is board certified to practice exercise physiology.

Research and Scholarship

From a historical perspective, exercise physiologists were first physical educators who taught “physiology of exercise” in health and physical education departments. Since the earlier work with sports and athletics, exercise physiologists have been involved with research that deals with the integrated physiological responses of the mind and body.

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