Exercise Physiologists
Health Science > Therapeutic ServicesProjected Growth: Faster than average
Projected Job Openings
Extensive Preparation Needed
Job Description
Your job is to Assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility.
Common job titles of Exercise Physiologists include:
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Experience and Education
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
57.14% said they needed a Master's Degree.
32.14% said they needed a Bachelor's Degree.
Tasks & Responsibilities
Essential Tasks
Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.
Recommend methods to increase lifestyle physical activity.
Explain exercise program or physiological testing procedures to participants.
Prescribe individualized exercise programs, specifying equipment such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, ergometers, or perceptual goggles.
Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
Provide clinical oversight of exercise for participants at all risk levels.
Regular Tasks
Teach group exercise for low-, medium-, or high-risk clients to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning.
Interview participants to obtain medical history or assess participant goals.
Assess physical performance requirements to aid in the development of individualized recovery or rehabilitation exercise programs.
Measure amount of body fat, using such equipment as hydrostatic scale, skinfold calipers, or tape measures.
Conduct stress tests, using electrocardiograph (EKG) machines.
Teach behavior modification classes related to topics such as stress management or weight control.
Calibrate exercise or testing equipment.
Measure oxygen consumption or lung functioning, using spirometers.
Occasional Tasks
Supervise maintenance of exercise or exercise testing equipment.
Plan or conduct exercise physiology research projects.
Order or recommend diagnostic procedures, such as stress tests, drug screenings, or urinary tests.
Mentor or train staff to lead group exercise.
Evaluate staff performance in leading group exercise or conducting diagnostic tests.
Educate athletes or coaches on techniques to improve athletic performance, such as heart rate monitoring, recovery techniques, hydration strategies, or training limits.
Teach courses or seminars related to exercise or diet for patients, athletes, or community groups.
Perform routine laboratory tests of blood samples for cholesterol level or glucose tolerance.
Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
Present exercise knowledge, program information, or research study findings at professional meetings or conferences.
What Tools and Technologies do Exercise Physiologists use?
Tools
Whole body air plethysmography systems
Urine analysis equipment
Underwater weighing tanks
Telemetry units
Strength training equipment
Stair climbers
Spirometers
All ToolsSkinfold calipers
Pulse oximeters
Photocopying equipment
Personal computers
Perceptual goggles
Pedometers
Patient weight scales
Oxygen analyzers
Osmometers
Near infrared spectrometers
Muscle strength dynamometers
Multi-line telephone systems
Microhematocrits
Metabolic carts
Mechanical stethoscopes
Manual blood pressure equipment
Laptop computers
Lactate analyzers
Isokinetic dynamometers
Intravenous IV infusion pumps
Hydraulic hand dynamometers
Holter monitors
Heart rate monitors
Goniometers
Exercise treadmills
Electronic timing systems
Electronic spirometers
Electromyographs EMG
Electrocardiography EKG machines
Echocardiography systems
Dual energy x ray absorptiometers
Desktop computers
Cycle ergometers
Cholesterol analyzers
Bioelectric impedance analyzers
Automated external defibrillators AED
Automated blood pressure measurement equipment
Arm crank ergometers
Technologies
MEDITECH software
What Skills Do Exercise Physiologists Need to Have?
Skills
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Management of Personnel Resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Abilities
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Comprehension
Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Expression
Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Comprehension
Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Deductive Reasoning
Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Expression
Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Problem Sensitivity
Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Inductive Reasoning
Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Auditory and Speech Abilities › Sensory Abilities › Speech Recognition
Identify and understand the speech of another person.
Everything Exercise Physiologists Should Know…
Knowledge
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Clerical
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.