Overview
Exercise Physiologists oversee the analysis, improvement, and maintenance of health and fitness; rehabilitation of heart disease and other chronic diseases and disabilities; and the professional guidance and counsel of athletes and others interested in sports training.
While just about anyone can call themselves a “personal trainer,” an Exercise Physiologist is a health care professional who has completed a degree in exercise physiology and/or has been certified by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP).
The Board Certified Exercise Physiologist (EPC) is trained to:
- Administer exercise stress tests in healthy and unhealthy populations
- Evaluate a person’s overall health, with special attention to cardiovascular function and metabolism
- Develop individualized exercise prescriptions to increase physical fitness, strength, endurance, and flexibility
- Design customized exercise programs to meet health care needs and athletic performance goals
Exercise is a medical treatment
According to ASEP, “scientific papers by Exercise Physiologists support the health benefits of regular exercise. Moreover, it is clear that an active lifestyle protects from many diseases.”
Doctors often prescribe exercise for patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes, cardiac (heart) disease or pulmonary (lung) disease. For these patients, exercise is a type of medical treatment, just like surgery or prescription drugs. Doctors refer these patients to Exercise Physiologists to ensure that the patient benefits from a medically sound, personalized exercise program.
This career profile was reviewed and approved by Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP, EPC, of the The College of St. Scholastica.
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Salary:
$37,479
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$48,431
[*]
Years in school:
4
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6
after high school graduation
Job outlook:
Very Good
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