A day in a life of an
Exercise Physiologist
Joseph Rhee and Andre Marie Isabel Suarez
Exercise Physiology…What is that?
A field of sports medicine that involves the study of the body's
response to physical stress, comprising the science of fitness, the
preservation of fitness, and the role of fitness in preventing and
treating disease.
Exercise physiology is the study of the function of the human body
during various acute and chronic exercise conditions
Exercise Physiologist conduct fitness
evaluations when a person undergoes
physical activity.
How do you become one?
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Graduate elementary, junior and high school
Apply to a four year college with a strong exercise science
program and then graduate with a bachelor’s degree in exercise
science or exercise physiology.
Quality students have a minimum of 2 years of chemistry
(inorganic, organic), one year of physics, anatomy and physiology,
biochemistry, cell physiology, kinesiology, exercise physiology, etc.
Internship at a hospital or health care facility.
Study for and pass the Exercise Physiologist Certified exam given
by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists.
Increase your chances of becoming an exercise physiologist by
furthering your higher education and earning a Master's Degree
Go for Doctoral Degree
Done
Taking It To The Next Level
Once a clinical exercise physiologist, register with the
American College of Sports Medicine after earning a
master’s degree, passing an exam and gaining at least
12,000 internship hours.
 The organization also certifies physiologists as exercise
specialists if they have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
experience, pass an exam and gain at least 600 hours of
hospital experience.
 American Society of Exercise Physiologists offers an
exercise physiologist certification for workers who have a
bachelor’s degree in the field and pass an exam.
 To keep certification current, exercise physiologist must
take continuing education classes.
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What do they do?
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Study for an exercise physiologist is diverse.
Some scientists research in how activity patterns affect disease
states that are common in today's society such as: heart disease,
cancer, hypertension, diabetes.
Whereas others in this area of study discover ways of performing
athletic improvement.
Goes out into community to conduct health screenings and exercise
education classes
Check blood pressure, body composition, and strength.
Teach people about the importance of exercise and good nutrition.
Analyze each athlete’s sport and design an exercise program tailored
to that sport.
Prescribe exercise programs, monitor patients while they exercise
and track each person's progress.
Where can you find them?
Hospitals
 Recreation Centers
 Physical Therapy Clinics
 Sports Medicine Clinics
 Fitness Centers
 Corporations
 Schools
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Salary, Yearly Income
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not
collect data on exercise physiologists.
 Salaries vary widely, based on where
exercise physiologists work.
 Most earn between $38,000 to $49,000
annually.
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Megan Lukenbill
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What patients do you usually deal with?
As an exercise physiologist, I help cardiac patients develop stronger
hearts, emphysema patients healthier lungs and arthritic patients
develop more painless movements.
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What type of facility do you work at?
I work in Kosciusko Community Hospital, dealing more with athletes
and a couple elderly from around the area.
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Do you have a procedure dealing with athletes?
When someone comes to the center, I first conduct a fitness test to
asses his or her physical condition. I put them on the treadmill
connected to EKG machine, to track their heart rate and rhythm, as
well as track oxygen in the blood.
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How do you deal with the elderly who cannot do so much
physical activity?
Dealing with elderly, I let them use weights and other instruments to
measure their strength and flexibility.
So You Want to Be A Exercise
Physiologist? here’s some tips!
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Professional registration and certification
increases exercise physiologists’ employment
opportunities.
Build your social network.
A college may have either an Exercise Science or
Exercise Physiology major, both of which are
acceptable for this career choice.
Accept as many internship opportunities in the
field as you can while in school.
Do not pursue a career in exercise physiology if
you do not like to work directly with people.