Posted by Taylor Whitmarsh

Career two

Exercise Physiologist

“To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” ~ Buddha

history/background and where it originated from:

Exercise has been regarded as important to human health for thousands of years, beginning with ancient cultures. The Greek physician Hippocrates is one of the earliest-recorded and most well-known proponents of exercise. He recommended moderate exercise in order to stay healthy and even improve health. Other prominent ancient scholars throughout history followed suit, including Plato, Aristotle, and the Roman physician Galen, who believed that exercise improved general health, metabolism, and muscle tone, and even led to better bowel movements. Later, the Persian physician Avicenna also wrote in support of Galen in the medical text Canon of Medicine. Avicenna believed that exercise balanced the four body humors (an idea that was popular at the time and had been passed down from Ancient Greece). Importantly, he also recognized that too much exercise could have negative effects on the body. In the 16th Century, around the start of Scientific Revolution, physicians began to write books on exercise. One of the earliest known books on exercise was Book of Bodily Exercise, written by the Spanish physician Cristobal Mendez. In his book, Mendez discussed benefits, types, and values of exercise, along with common exercises and why they were important to perform. In the 19th Century, some medical textbooks began to include chapters on exercise. The negative effects of lack of exercise, including poor circulation, weakness, and increased likelihood of disease, became more well-known. As the importance of physical activity became more and more important, schools also began to offer physical education classes, which required students to perform exercises for a set period of time each day. The first true exercise physiology textbook, Exercise in Education and Medicine by Dr. R. Tait McKenzie, was published in 1910. Laboratories devoted to the study of exercise physiology were also established in the 20th Century. These included the Harvard Fatigue Laboratory, opened in 1927, and the Physical Fitness Research Laboratory at University of Illinois, opened in 1944. These schools conducted numerous on such topics as fatigue, cardiovascular changes during exercise, oxygen uptake by the body, and the effects of training. In 1948, the Journal of Applied Physiology began to be published. This journal publishes peer-reviewed research in exercise physiology and still exists today. While contributing greatly to our understanding of exercise’s effects, exercise physiology labs also trained numerous scientists who would go on to found their own exercise physiology laboratories in universities and medical schools all over the world.

Academic preparations:

  • at least a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or another closely related area is pretty much considered the entry-level requirement to be an EP.
  •  it is good to take other classes that have to do with this field such as: clinical (applied), clinical (research), human performance and pre-health professional.
  • Degree programs include science and health-related courses, such as biology, anatomy, kinesiology, and nutrition.
  • clinical work.
  •  require at least one certification (especially in the clinical setting) You may not necessarily be required to hold an ACSM or ASEP credential, some employers accept other organizations, such as National Academy of Sports Medicine or Cooper Institute. Always make sure of the certification requirements for each potential job position. Recently, some employers have been recommending or even requiring applicants to hold a certification in health coaching.

Job settings:

Exercise physiologists may work in a variety of non-clinical or clinical settings. Non-clinical settings include fitness centers, community organizations, and corporate fitness facilities. Sports physiologists may work in private fitness facilities or even for professional sports organizations. Clinical physiologists may be employed by hospitals, community facilities, and nursing homes. Many exercise physiologists enter careers in personal training, allowing them to work with clients one-on-one for an extended period of time to help them make progress with their exercise regimen. Some may work in laboratory settings in hospitals, medical schools, or industry if they’re pursueing physiology research.

Averages salary:

It all depends on where you work and how much you work but it can range from $32,290 to $74,330 per year.

Resume:

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Citations:

Exercise Physiologist: Career Overview

https://biologydictionary.net/exercise-physiology/

Physiologist Salary Guide and Career Outlook

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