Overview of Exercise Physiologist Career
Exercise physiologists are allied healthcare professionals who oversee the maintenance, improvement, and analysis of health, fitness, and rehabilitation of patients with disabilities, heart and other chronic diseases, etc. They also provide counsel and professional guidance to athletes and others who interested in sports. Their responsibilities are higher than that of ordinary personal trainers at gym.
If you want to become an exercise physiologist, you need to study at university and to acquire wide range of knowledge in human body, and physical and mental benefits of exercises.
Exercise Physiologist Career
Exercise physiologists must have deep knowledge regarding the effects of exercise on musculoskeletal, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems. Prescribing a course of exercises for either rehabilitation or fitness is also a part of your job. You can also treat a number of medical conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, asthma, depression, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, and many other conditions.
Exercise physiologists have greater opportunities in facilities like clinical rehabilitation, colleges and universities, fitness development, health promotion, sports and athletic programs. Therefore you can be hired as:
*Directors and instructors of sports and wellness programs,
* Professional coaches for universities, and colleges,
* Teachers at higher learning institutions,
* Exercise leaders and managers in corporate wellness programs,
* Researchers at companies, which make physiological equipment for evaluation and testing,
* Instructors at fitness and health clubs,
* Supervisors of specialized lifestyle, wellness, fitness, or health programs in fire, police, correctional services, and emergency response organizations,
* Fitness instructors in resort centers, spa, YMCA,
* Exercise specialist in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation centers,
* Fitness managers and directors in military,
* Exercise technologist in cardiology suites,
* Fitness supervisors and instructors at regional, state, and national level sports and athletic programs,
* Sports consultants in nutrition, efficiency and metabolism, biometrics, physiology and training,
* Electro-physiology technologist in hospital settings, etc.
Educational Requirements
You can work as exercise physiologist after completing a 4-year degree course in exercise physiology. The course covers various subjects such as:
* Physiology
* Nutrition
* Psychology
* Creating rehabilitation and fitness programs
* Exercise Management
* Sports conditioning
* Medical terminology
* Gross anatomy
In order to get a highly paid exercise Physiologist career, you must earn a master’s degree in exercise physiology. You can select either a thesis or clinical track as per your interest. While the former is focusing on advanced research for earning a doctorate, the latter focuses on practice of exercise physiology.
If you want to do research or teach at university level, you must need to undergo a Doctor of Philosophy program. This program is designed for providing some information to students regarding exercise physiology.
Certification
After the successful completion of the course, you can appear for Exercise Physiologist Certified (EPC) examination offered by American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) for becoming a certified exercise physiologist. The EPC examination has two parts, applied section and written section.
The applied section tests individual’s ability to apply knowledge through procedures and simulations by using equipment. In order to appear for this examination, you must meet the educational requirements, which include contact hours. You can also seek professional certification of Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist credential, National Strength and Conditioning Association, or National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Exercise Physiology Salary
As per the data available from PayScale.com, most of the exercise physiologists can earn around $54,184 per year, including bonuses. However, exercise physiology salary depends on experience, certification, educational qualification, geography of work, and others.
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