Exercise Physiologists

Career summary

#3/5/19 lh

The field of exercise physiology has two areas of specialization, fitness and rehabilitation.

Fitness

Exercise physiologists who specialize in fitness focus on:

• Human performance
• Biomechanics
• Athletic training

Human performance specialists educate and train athletes. They work with athletes to improve their stamina, lower performance times, and decrease recovery time after competitions.

Biomechanics specialists help clients improve their sports performance.

Exercise physiologists who specialize in athletic training prevent and care for athletic injuries. They also work with clients who are trying to get in shape.

Rehabilitation

Exercise physiologists who specialize in rehabilitation are called clinical exercise physiologists. They work with patients who are ill or recovering from injuries or dealing with chronic conditions, such as arthritis or lower back pain.

Physiologists conduct fitness tests on new patients to assess their physical condition and prescribe appropriate exercises. They demonstrate and explain the purpose of each exercise. They monitor their patients' progress and write detailed reports describing their fitness level.

Exercise physiologists usually work in health, fitness, wellness, and rehabilitation centers or clinics. They may also work at universities and human performance laboratories.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Athletic Trainers
• Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
• Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
• Massage Therapists
• Nurse Practitioners
• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapist Assistants
• Physical Therapists
• Physician Assistants
• Recreational Therapists
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• Speech Pathologists and Audiologists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to exercise physiologists.

• Develop exercise programs to help individuals increase strength, flexibility, and endurance.
• Follow standards and requirements set by credentialing organizations and regulations.
• Prescribe individual programs that include using equipment such as treadmills and bicycles.
• Interpret data to evaluate individual progress.
• Explain programs and testing procedures to participants.
• Provide medical care, including emergency, to participants who show signs of physical distress.
• Demonstrate the correct use of equipment and how to perform exercises.
• Interview participants about their goals and medical history.
• Recommend ways to increase physical activity in everyday life.
• Conduct stress tests using electrocardiograph (EKG) machines.
• Teach group exercise for clients.
• Teach courses or seminars on exercise and diet.
• Plan and conduct exercise physiology research projects.
• Measure body fat.
• Calibrate and maintain exercise and testing equipment.
• May train others to lead group exercise or work with individuals.

Common work activities

Exercise physiologists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Assist and care for others
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Coach others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Document and record information
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Think creatively
• Analyze data or information
• Use computers
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Teach others
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Perform for or work with the public
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Process information
• Evaluate information against standards
• Develop goals and strategies
• Schedule work and activities
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Handle and move objects
• Perform administrative tasks
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Develop and build teams
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Guide, direct, and motivate others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, exercise physiologists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a very high level of social interaction. They talk with patients throughout their day.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of their patients.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by coworkers.
• May be placed in conflict situations. Patients may be discourteous due to their condition.
• Communicate by phone, face-to-face discussions, and e-mail on a daily basis.
• Usually work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors. May occasionally go outdoors to briefly work with a patient.
• Are sometimes exposed to the diseases and infections carried by patients.
• Work very near others. They come in close physical contact with patients every day.

Work performance

• Must be accurate when diagnosing problems and describing exercises. Errors could prevent patients from improving.
• May repeat the same mental and physical activities.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that strongly impact patients. They rarely consult with other physiologists before making decisions.
• Are usually able to set tasks and goals without consulting with others.
• Work in a moderately competitive environment in which they must meet weekly deadlines. Their schedules are largely dictated by patient appointments.

Hours/travel

• Typically work a standard 40-hour work week.

Physical demands

Exercise physiologists frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for exercise physiologists to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for exercise physiologists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

Skills and abilities

Exercise physiologists need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Teach others how to do something.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Exercise Physiology
• Exercise Science and Kinesiotherapy

Other programs of study to consider

• Athletic Training
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Fitness Instructing
• Physical Therapy Assisting

Training

To work as an exercise physiologist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have at least a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology or a related field.

Education after high school

The education requirements vary depending on employment. A bachelor's degree in exercise physiology or exercise science is the minimum requirement. A master's degree is necessary for certain types of employment, such as in hospitals. Practical experience gained through an internship or part-time employment is highly recommended. For an academic career in research and teaching, a PhD is required.

The field of exercise physiology is rapidly evolving as researchers learn more about the effects of physical activity on the human body, so continuing education is a necessity. Independent professional organizations provide ongoing education and training for exercise physiologists.

On-the-job training

A significant part of studying to become an exercise physiologist is spending time in clinical settings. During this period students work directly with patients and clients.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Computer Applications
• Health and Fitness
• Health Education
• Introduction to Health Care
• Safety and First Aid

Many exercise physiologists are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers look for applicants who have at least a bachelor's degree. Employers prefer to hire physiologists who get along well with people and communicate clearly. A caring, helpful attitude is also an advantage in this occupation. Exercise physiologists must also be competent researchers and maintain a high level of physical fitness.

Licensing/certification

Currently no states require exercise physiologists to be licensed.

Optional certification and registration are available. Clinical exercise physiologists may register with the American College of Sports Medicine. To register, you must:

• have a master’s or doctorate degree;
• pass an exam;
• have Basic Life Support or CPR certification; and
• have at least 600 hours of clinical experience.

The organization also certifies physiologists as exercise specialists. To become certified, you must:

• have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience;
• pass an exam;
• have Basic Life Support or CPR certification; and
• have at least 400 to 500 hours of clinical experience, depending on accreditation of the training program.

The American Society of Exercise Physiologists offers an exercise physiologist certificate. This is for workers who have at least a bachelor’s degree in the field and pass an exam. To keep their certification, exercise physiologists must take continuing education classes.

For more information about certification and registration, go to:
American College of Sports Medicine 

For more information about certification, go to:
American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) 

#Made changes to registration and cert requirements 4/5/16 cj. Added doctorate degree to registered cert; rest ok 3/27/18 cj. secure urls 3/5/19 lh

Wages

Wages vary depending on the education and experience of the exercise physiologist. Wages also vary by employer.

Full-time exercise physiologists often receive benefits. These usually include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Self-employed exercise physiologists must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 56% of exercise physiologists are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Hospitals
• Health care services
• Nursing and residential care facilities

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is growing, however, it is a very small occupation and not many new jobs will be created. Demand will grow as doctors and hospitals recognize the importance of exercise and preventative measures to fight chronic diseases.

Competition for jobs is very strong.

Other resources

American College of Sports Medicine 
401 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317.637.9200

American Counsel on Exercise 
4851 Paramount Drive
San Diego, CA 92123
888.825.3636
858.576.6500

American Fitness Professionals and Associates 
PO Box 214
Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
800.494.7782

American Kinesiology Association 
1900 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191
800.213.7193
703.476.3410

American Kinesiotherapy Association 

American Society of Exercise Physiologists 
218.340.3496

Explore Health Careers: Exercise Physiologists 

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Social

O*Net  occupation

• Exercise Physiologists (29-1128.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupation

• Exercise Physiologist (076.121-018) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Social/Investigative/Realistic

COPSystem

• Service Professional