Exercise Physiologists
"The moment her classmates and teachers saw her walking on her own two feet, they burst into tears — they couldn't believe she was capable of movement after years of seeing her sitting in a wheelchair in class." That's how the mother of a young girl named Lea described her daughter's first day at school after her dream of walking on her own, without anyone's help or any equipment, finally came true. Lea is a beautiful 14-year-old Australian girl who had cerebral palsy since early childhood, affecting her back and legs. She underwent several surgeries, but they didn't help much with walking or getting around without a wheelchair. A few months ago, Lea started trying a different kind of treatment based on performing specific exercises that help the body's organs and parts function with vitality, and it changed her life. This treatment is called "exercise physiology." Scientific research has shown that performing certain exercises at a specific intensity and duration can help speed up recovery from a number of illnesses and injuries and improve the health of patients suffering from conditions such as: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and osteoporosis, musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory illnesses and asthma, depression, and other mental health conditions. Those who work in this field are called "exercise physiologists," people with scientific expertise that allows them to understand how different parts and organs of the body respond to certain types of physical exercise. Their job involves prescribing the right exercises for each patient or injured person based on their condition, developing specific exercise programs that help with recovery and improve overall health, and monitoring patients while they perform exercises to track how their body's capabilities are developing and whether their functions are improving with vitality and effectiveness.
Meet the Writer: Waleed Abo Omiraa
What You'll Actually Do
The core tasks and responsibilities that fill a typical day.
- Conduct stress tests, using electrocardiograph (EKG) machines.
- Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
- Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
- Explain exercise program or physiological testing procedures to participants.
- Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.
- Measure amount of body fat, using such equipment as hydrostatic scale, skinfold calipers, or tape measures.
- Measure oxygen consumption or lung functioning, using spirometers.
- Perform routine laboratory tests of blood samples for cholesterol level or glucose tolerance.
- Prescribe individualized exercise programs, specifying equipment, such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, ergometers, or perceptual goggles.
- Provide clinical oversight of exercise for participants at all risk levels.
- Recommend methods to increase lifestyle physical activity.
- Teach courses or seminars related to exercise or diet for patients, athletes, or community groups.
- Assess physical performance requirements to aid in the development of individualized recovery or rehabilitation exercise programs.
- Calibrate exercise or testing equipment.
- Educate athletes or coaches on techniques to improve athletic performance, such as heart rate monitoring, recovery techniques, hydration strategies, or training limits.
- Evaluate staff performance in leading group exercise or conducting diagnostic tests.
- Interview participants to obtain medical history or assess participant goals.
- Mentor or train staff to lead group exercise.
- Order or recommend diagnostic procedures, such as stress tests, drug screenings, or urinary tests.
- Plan or conduct exercise physiology research projects.
- Present exercise knowledge, program information, or research study findings at professional meetings or conferences.
- Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
- Supervise maintenance of exercise or exercise testing equipment.
- Teach behavior modification classes related to topics such as stress management or weight control.
- Teach group exercise for low-, medium-, or high-risk clients to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning.