Exercise Physiologist
Additional Information
Duties
The following is what most exercise physiologists do:
- Medical history should be examined to identify the patient's risk of injury while exercising as well as the best potential exercise and fitness routine for the patient.
- Use medical equipment to perform fitness and stress tests and evaluate the related patient data.
- Observe vital signs such as blood pressure, oxygen consumption, heart rate, and more.
- Improve patients' health by developing fitness programs.
The goal of an exercise physiologist's job is to help patients live healthier lives. Cardiovascular and pulmonary (lung) disorders are among the most common ailments they treat in their patients. Physical fitness can be improved with the guidance of an exercise physiologist.
Physicians who collaborate with physiologists may prescribe exercise programs and send patients to exercise physiologists. They then collaborate with patients to devise treatment regimens that will help them achieve their health and fitness objectives.
Education
Exercise physiologists often need a bachelor's degree in physiology, science, kinesiology, or another healthcare-related field. Other master's degree possibilities exist. degree programs in exercise physiology, science, and kinesiology are accredited by the CAAHEP (CAAHEP). These programs often include science and health themes like biology, anatomy, statistics, kinesiology, and nutrition.
Licenses and certifications.
Only in Louisiana are exercise physiologists required to be licensed, but other states are exploring similar laws.
Employers most typically request BLS and ACLS certifications for exercise physiologists (CPR).
The American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) offers EPC certification to demonstrate a physiologist's expertise. To be eligible for certification, candidates must pass the ASEP exam and be an ASEP member.
Finally, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in exercise science or a closely connected field. Credential holders must complete five years of continuous education.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) offers three levels of certification for exercise physiologists: Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C), Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP), and Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP). Any of the three ACSM certifications requires CPR certification and passing the CPR test. The CEP and RCEP require at least 400 hours of supervised clinical practice. Candidates for ACSM credentials must complete three years of continuing education and maintain CPR certification.
Importance Criteria
Compassion. Exercise physiologists must be attentive to patients' pain or suffering in order to treat them.
Decision-making capacity A lack of informed treatment advice by exercise physiologists may jeopardize patients' health.
Dedicated to a project's details. Exercise physiologists must keep meticulous records of their patients' health and progress. Patients must follow proper protocol when conducting stress tests or exercise regimens, for example.
Interaction with others. Exercise physiologists must be able to work well with others and handle difficult situations. Doctors and patients' families must be able to communicate effectively with them.
Pay
The median annual wage for exercise physiologists was $58,160 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,930, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $79,830.
Job Projections
Employment of exercise physiologists is projected to grow 10 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.