Journal of Professional Exercise Physiology

Transcription

1 Journal of Professional Exercise Physiology ISSN X August 2012 Vol 10 No 8 To Cease To Grow Is To Perish Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, MAM, MBA Board Certified Exercise Physiologist Professor of Exercise Physiology The World s Greatest Discovery You can do as much as you think you can, But you ll never accomplish more; If you re afraid of yourself, young man, There s little for you in store. For failure comes from the inside first, It s there if we only knew it, And you can win, though you face the worst, If you feel that you re going to do it. -- EDGAR A. GUEST T his article is for exercise physiologists at all levels throughout the United States who aren t ready to give in to what exercise physiology has become. Those of us who refuse to accept the sports medicine definition that exercise physiology is the identification of acute and chronic responses to exercise will see to it that exercise physiology is recognized as a healthcare profession. In fact, the following ASEP definition of exercise physiology shows how exercise physiologists will work in healthcare and will take advantage of the infinite benefits of exercise as medicine. Exercise Physiology is the identification of physiological mechanisms underlying physical activity, the comprehensive delivery of treatment services concerned with the analysis, improvement, and maintenance of health and fitness, rehabilitation of heart disease and other diseases and/or disabilities, and the professional guidance and counsel of athletes and others interested in athletics, sports training, and human adaptability to acute and chronic exercise. -- American Society of Exercise Physiologists 1

2 It is now just a matter of time that the uneasiness if not terror of giving up the past way of thinking for the new 21st century perspective will be the common road to take. It has been the way for others, and it will be the same for profession of exercise physiology. To survive the transition from a discipline to a profession has been the case for physical therapy, athletic training, and occupational therapy. It is no less true for exercise physiology. All that is required is to stay the course, embrace it, and then the obstacles will eventually disappear or they will become ordinary. This thinking is as simple. As Henry Ford said [1], If you think you can or can t you are right. Attitude is important. It influences the end result of any undertaking. What exercise physiologists think about themselves is important to their future. Do they see themselves as exercise scientists (if there is such a thing)? Do they see themselves as professionals equal to other healthcare practitioners? For certain, the scientist title would apply only to those with the doctorate degree and who are engaged in research and publishing. Everyone else would be instructors, trainers, or specialists. This thinking does not leave much of a future for the majority of the individuals who refer to themselves as exercise physiologists. That is, unless they seek credibility through their own professional organization. Then, there will be a future for all exercise physiologists (regardless of whether they have an undergraduate degree or a doctorate degree) who use the power of exercise to help and heal clients and patients. If only the academic exercise physiologists would use the power of their subconscious minds, they would be amazed at their undreamed of capacity for professional success. Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. -- Dale Carnegie Man is free at the instant he wants to be. -- Voltaire It takes the right thoughts to grow and mature as healthcare professionals. Why not think positive thoughts? Why not join the American Society of Exercise Physiologists and help the organization to supervise all the intricate processes of professional development and professionalism? With increased membership, ASEP will have the power to influence and control the profession of exercise physiology. But, remember that exercise physiologists can 2

3 do only what they think they can do. They have only what they think they can have. Becoming healthcare professionals requires the right thinking. Otherwise, the failure to think as healthcare professionals will keep exercise physiologists from growing. This observation is the greatest discovery of all time. Exercise physiologists have within themselves the power to control their destiny. But, first, they must learn that it is OK to carve out their own future. The question is this: Will exercise physiologists do what is necessary to carve out their future? What is for certain is that if they fail to grow as a unified body of individuals, they will perish! The outdated mindset of organizations supporting exercise science graduates as personal trainers is an old habit that will die very slowly. Why, because it benefits the generic organizations and it is a means to some opportunity for employment for those who are academically trained as exercise physiologists. Think about the people who have become fitness instructors or personal trainers. In almost every instance you will encounter a person with a degree in psychology, sociology, accounting, physical education, exercise science, or one of 40 or 50 academic degrees. Wouldn t it be better if they were educated as exercise physiologists [2]? Academic credibility should precede employment in the healthcare field. The lack of a proper education is like cancer; early detection increases the possibility of a healthy outcome. Thus, it is important to start thinking differently if college graduates interested in exercise as medicine are going to experience the opportunities that associate with a credible academic degree. None of this thinking is an over-analysis of the students problems. As a college teacher for 40 years I want students to be successful. To be able to graduate and find a credible job in the public sector should be the reason students go to college. This is more than a gut feeling. Ask the parents of recent college graduates who are living a confused, disappointing, and miserable life years after their children graduate from college. Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. -- Jim Rohn Business Philosopher Thinking is one of the most important weapons in dealing with problems. -- Nelson Mandela 3

4 Instead of getting just any college degree, why not spend the tuition dollars and living expenses on a sound and logical academic degree? To not understand this thinking is to cease to grow and, therefore, the failure to invest smartly in the future means to perish. It isn t complicated. Why not stop ignoring the big picture? Why not risk thinking differently from your friends, advisors, or colleagues? Why not ask the question, What if I can t find a real job when I graduate? The short answer is the real probability of failure. Why would anyone knowingly venture down a dead-end street? In most cases, it is not survivable unless an even larger tuition investment is turned over to the yet another academic institution [3]. Trust in the academic institution, administrators, and faculty is the foundation of any relationship with integrity. That s obvious, right? Well, if the administrators are not looking out for you and the faculty lies to you or steals from you the education you think you are getting, then you know you can t trust them. Frankly, that is what is happening and the chief reason is the neglect of everyone involved to build an academic institution, department, and educational program that is trustworthy. Students come first, no matter how many times the faculty state otherwise. Nothing should come between the students and their likelihood of a real success story. Understandably, even after years of preparation, life can go sour. Everyone expects life to be smooth sailing. That s really very naïve. Having said that let me emphasize once again that the process of real success begins with the right relationship between the faculty and the students. The latter is always more important than the faculty publishing another article. This doesn t mean that they are excused from doing research and publishing, just that it is important to develop a win-win relationship for students and the faculty. In the long run, the only way that a college education is worth the tuition dollars and time invested is to build a positive, synergistic relationship and mindset. Needless to say, this is not what is happening today. We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are. -- Max DePree Somebody in academia has to make the first move to change exercise science and related degree programs to exercise physiology. From many years of comparing different academic degrees, it is clear that the curriculum for physical education is 90% the same curriculum for exercise science [4]. This means that today s students of exercise science are not getting the academic preparation they need as credible healthcare professionals. This distinction does 4

5 not take away from physical education, given that the curriculum is oriented for sports, athletics, and coaching activities. However, the problem is the decades of thinking that the physical education curriculum (or shall I say, the exercise science curriculum) is an exercise physiology curriculum. It isn t the same, but just about everyone fails to get this point. As an example, read the following to the ASEP National Office. I have been a personal trainer for 15 years in a large exercise facility. Recently, I have been thinking about moving my career to the next level. Will someone in ASEP help me understand how I can become an Exercise Physiologist? What are the costs involved? Please send me all the information you have regarding this matter. Thank you. The question, What are the costs involved? says everything! My immediate response is that the person must be thinking about exercise physiology in the same light as personal training. That is, what is the cost of a certification to be an exercise physiologist? While there is an ASEP certification, it comes into the picture after earning a college degree. Just for the record, the following response was ed back to the personal trainer. I can appreciate your interest in moving your work/career to another level. I have been predisposed for decades to doing the same. Here is the deal though.exercise Physiologists are college prepared healthcare professionals who have an academic degree in exercise physiology or (for the next 10 years or so) a similar academic degree such as exercise science, kinesiology, and human performance (and there are others). Then, from the ASEP perspective, which is actually no different from the APTA perspective for physical therapists, the academically prepared exercise physiologists must sit for the ASEP Board Certification (referred to as the EPC) and pass the exam. This is critical to the credibility of being recognized as a professional and not as an instructor or a trainer (of which you know is a heavily mixed bag of this and that). Please appreciate that I also realize the mess that exercise physiologists are trying to get out from under as well, from physical education to kinesiology to exercise science to sports science, etc. That is why ASEP was founded in 1997 to get out from under the 20th century mentality of sports medicine however popular it all may be. So, in short, get a degree in exercise physiology or a similar degree, then, sit for the EPC exam. Assuming you pass, which will be a challenge because many of the programs are not very scientifically oriented. Study the EPC requirements. Pass the exam and you will have credibility that no one can take from you. Remember, you asked ASEP and I have been assigned to answer your . Should you have additional questions, contact me directly. 5

6 Academic exercise physiologists must learn to elevate themselves to the point of feeling entitled to thinking as exercise physiologists. Then, the ASEP vision [5] will automatically follow to build a professional life that ultimately will demonstrate the responsibility of using exercise as medicine, whether in a fitness facility, home environment, or in an exercise physiology healthcare clinic. Finding the right path and the right livelihood is a conscious decision to grow as exercise physiology professionals. They must stop waiting for sports medicine, exercise science, or kinesiology personalities to create new and credible jobs for them. It has not happened during the past 70 years and, frankly, it is not going to happen. At best this is simply wishful thinking. The bulk of such jobs are short-lived and low-paying. Our notion of what it means to marry, to be a parent, to buy a house, cars, insurance, raise teenagers, and help with college tuition must be reexamined. At best spending $20,000 to over a $100,000 in tuition loans and living expenses is simply a waste of money and time. The bulk of such jobs resulting from exercise science and similar degrees lack job security to help the graduates make their mark and contribution in We are seeing the price of a college education rise to stratospheric heights (some schools are charging $55,000 a year), at a time when many people are starting to question whether a college education can possibly be worth all that. Fueling this reconsideration are college graduates difficulties getting jobs and the rising debt load they face once they graduate (on average, around $20,000 per student). -- Stephen Cox the healthcare field. That s why the ASEP entrepreneurial approach to using the exercise physiologist s academic and hands-on knowledge and skills makes sense. By this I mean that the leadership believes in building the life that is meaningful, survivable, and one that is genuinely endurable and selfaffirming. That s why they proposed in 1999 a radical, yet understood notion: To identify credible exercise physiologists by developing their own Board Certification [6]. As credible healthcare professionals in increasingly uncertain times where more people are growing older and too many young people are obese, society will come to recognize the EPC, its professional meaning and rewards. Again, that s why building the life that every college graduate desires and building a way to earn an income by serving others while being authentic cannot be avoided. It is all about gaining the occupational advantage by transcending the old fitness instructor mentality to one of a healthcare profession that allows for creating the advantage necessary for both 6

7 inner fulfillment and financial stability. That is why the founders of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists took the bold step in 1997 to incorporate ASEP in Minnesota as the first-ever nonprofit professional organization of exercise physiologists. No matter what the academic exercise physiologists may think about ASEP, the organization was created for a purpose. ASEP Mission Statement: The American Society of Exercise Physiologists, the professional organization representing and promoting the profession of exercise physiology, is committed to the professional development of exercise physiology, its advancement, and the credibility of exercise physiologists [7]. The idea that you can be yourself while supporting generic organizations has created career setbacks and rejections. Believe this: No matter what your age, academic achievement or background, you can discover and define a viable, marketable career using the content and concepts taught in the academic coursework of an exercise physiology degree. Think about why this is important, especially during the next 10 to 20 years. Some people predict that the physical therapists (and a small percent of the medical doctors) are especially interested in promoting themselves as the experts in using and applying exercise as medicine. Be assured that my ideas are grounded in 40 years of college teaching. So, what is stopping you from supporting the ASEP initiatives? If I may say, the only thing that is stopping you is YOU. Why not demonstrate the courage to sever the historical connections passed on to you by your professors? Why not learn how to create your own work and profit from it? Becoming part of a profession rather than a discipline comes from a shift in thinking that is guided by a gut feeling that something isn t right. The exercise physiologist s time has come, just as the physical therapists and others have done. They learned to transform themselves over time. Why not take the necessary 21st century risks to bring your dreams to life? all you need to be really happy, my dear, is something to be enthusiastic about. -- Anthony De Mello By all means, understand that the 20th century view of exercise physiology is old and outdated. Exercise physiologists who are guided by yesterday s view of exercise physiology 7

8 are the first to say, No, it can t be done, You should stop working on behalf of ASEP and walk away, or No one believes in what you are doing. Yet, what is so unfortunate is that there is no way to become who you really are by failing to listen to your gut instinct. That is why is important to do everything you can to understand what you feel is the right path and, then, stay the course with all the energy and passion who have. It is the only way to get what you want out of life and add years to your time on earth. The truth is that those who work on behalf of ASEP feel they are growing along with the profession. No doubt it is a distinctive work that is driven by the ASEP vision; a clear idea of what exercise physiology ought to be and how to master such thinking. Their intentions are honorable and creative. As Eleanor Roosevelt s said, The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams. As entrepreneurs, they find their work rewarding however different it may be among those who support sports medicine and exercise science. Eventually, they too will realize the importance of the ASEP vision, and they will find themselves saying, Why didn t I think of that. Entrepreneurs trust the mystery of the unknown. -- Marsha Sinetar The ASEP Vision is the greatest gift that can be given to exercise physiologists. Vision generates hope, provides endurance, and motivates the discouraged. No matter how difficult, the essence of the ASEP vision is to see the future. What the organization wants to be? To be recognized as the leading professional organization of American scholars and practitioners in the study and application of exercise physiology to fitness, health promotion, rehabilitation, and sports training. What it wants to accomplish? The Society of Exercise Physiologists is dedicated to unifying all exercise physiologists in the United States and worldwide to promote and support the study, practice, teaching, research, and development of the exercise physiology profession. Whom it wants to serve? Through proactive and creative leadership, the Society empowers its members to serve the public good by making an academically sound difference in the application of exercise physiology concepts and insights. 8

9 As R. W. Dosick said [8], "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 foresee, 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." Typically, it is hard to take the long road of obstacles and the constant rethinking of how to do the right thing on behalf of the profession of exercise physiology. The majority of the people don t do this because they are afraid of what other people say about them. The emotional challenge itself is reason enough for their non-doing and, therefore, they go along with mainstream thinking that discourages them with such statements as: Don t do it. You can t do it. Play it safe. What they don t get is something altogether rather simple: As Marsha Sinetar [9] says, When we care inordinately what others say, when we dwell excessively on what might go wrong, or yearn for advice or praise from those we consider our superiors, we harm ourselves. The ability to improvise is very important when taking risks. Everyone seems to have the answer. However, it has been my experience that being true to your own way is the way to sustain growth and create the work that is necessary for success. Once again, as Marsha Sinetar [9] said, Begin small. Go slow. Build skill. Deal meticulously with your present circumstances and keep refining your strategy. Iron out the kinks in your attitude (or business) as you go. Don t take extravagant, largely unnecessary risks. Thus, in the long run, if to cease to grow means to perish, then, sooner or later, exercise physiologists will Tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today. -- African proverb understand the value in building their own healthcare profession. All that is necessary is to deal with the fear, the hesitation, the selfdoubts, and self-crippling comments from colleagues. To grow and to create the future necessary for exercise physiology means commitment to ideals of our own making. It means thinking positively about all dimensions of what is and is not a profession and why the ASEP vision, mission, and goals statements are excellent guides to sustain the I can do this attitude. Exercise physiologists must have faith in their own 9

10 abilities, skills, and thinking to successfully make it. Faith helps us to build the right foundation for the students of the exercise physiology who depend on us to do the right thing for all the right reasons. This is how the profession of exercise physiology will achieve its objectives [10]. ASEP Objectives 1. To provide a powerful, unified forum and opportunity for exercise physiologists to present and discuss current research in exercise physiology. 2. To promote and encourage the exchange of ideas and information regarding all phases of exercise physiology. 3. To promote advancement of teaching and research in exercise physiology within the academic environment. 4. To encourage implement undergraduate and graduate education programs to meet the diverse interests and career opportunities in exercise physiology, regardless of age, gender, race or disability. 5. To promote the growth and application of the highest quality research and professional application of exercise physiology in health promotion, disease prevention, rehabilitation, and sport fitness and training. 6. To promote development and exchange of scientific information between ASEP and other professional organizations with an interest in exercise physiology. 7. To set the agenda, determine the direction, and make the decisions about the future of the exercise physiology profession. 8. To be a dynamic and action-oriented clearinghouse for questions regarding the exercise physiology profession. 9. To increase visibility and enhance the image of the exercise physiology profession. 10. To represent exercise physiologists whose professional work is mainly clinical, and to help ensure that federal agencies and legislators understand their work and needs of the clinical professional. 11. To participate in the development and implementation of public policies and procedures concerned with exercise physiology. 12. To make a commitment to quality and integrity in exercise physiology through adherence to the Society's Code of Ethics. 13. To facilitate and promote positive public policy and professional, ethical behavior by providing ongoing peer review and quality assurance programs via the accreditation of the exercise physiology (science) academic programs. 14. To expand federal and private funding of exercise physiology research and training. 10

11 References 1. Ford, H. (2012). Follow the World s Creators. Tumbler. [Online] Boone, T. (2009). The Professionalization of Exercise Physiology: Certification, Accreditation, and Standards of Practice of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP). Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press. 3. Boone, T. (2005). Exercise Physiology: Professional Issues, Organizational Concerns, and Ethical Trends. Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press. 4. Boone, T. (2001). Professional Development of Exercise Physiology. Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press. 5. American Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2012). The ASEP Vision Statement. (Online) American Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2012). The ASEP Board Certification. (Online) American Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2012). The ASEP Mission Statement. (Online) Dosick, R.W. (1993). THE BUSINESS BIBLE: Ten Commandments for Creating an Ethical Workplace. New York, NY: William Morrow and Company, Inc., p Sinetar, M. (1995). To Build the Life You Want, Create the Work You Love. New York, NY: St. Martin s Press. 10. American Society of Exercise Physiologists. (2012). The ASEP Goals and Objectives. (Online). 11