A Research Paper on Physiology
Exercise seems to be a foreign word to most of America today due to the lack of it in our society. Exercise physiology majors are in desperate need to those who are obese or overweight. That is where I come in; majoring in exercise physiology, I plan to help those out of shape, overweight, or obese. Exercise has played a vital role throughout my life; being a tri-athlete in high school and being good at it seemed to be where most of my time and dedication went. I was an average student, no better in one subject than the other; sports were what I could do best, and so I had no interest in anything else. This is why I plan to major in exercise physiology here at East Carolina University.
Exercise physiology is the identification of physiological mechanisms underlying physical activity, the comprehensive delivery of treatment services concerned with the analysis, improvement, and maintenance of health and fitness, rehabilitation of heart disease and/or disabilities, and the professional guidance and counsel of athletes and others interested in athletics, sports training, and human adaptability to acute and chronic disease. (“General Information” American Society of Exercise Physiologists) Physiology is concerned with the movement of the human body and the effect physiology has on the body. Exercise physiologists, must understand the human body both inside and out as well as kinesiology, the study of human movement, due the fact that it is a health profession.
East Carolina's program for exercise physiologists is The College of Health and Human Performance. The main goal of HHP is to provide instruction, conduct research, and perform service in health, exercise science, and recreation as well as leisure. Health enhancement, physical performance and quality of life are some major concerns of the Health and Human Performance College. (“The College of Health and Human Performance” East Carolina University) HHP offers undergraduate as well as graduate degrees in exercise and sport science, health education and promotion as well as recreation and sport studies.
An exercise physiologist is a person who has an academic degree in exercise physiology, or who is certified by ASEP (American Society of Exercise Physiologists). This professional organization represents and promotes the profession of exercise physiology; to practice exercise physiology or a doctorate degree with an academic degree of emphasis in exercise physiology from an accredited college or university. (“General Information” American Society of Exercise Physiologists)
In order to earn a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology through The College of Health and Human Performance here at East Carolina University a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA, successful completion of the physical fitness requirements, and a minimum degree requirement of 126 semester hours.(“Department of Exercise and Sport Science” East Carolina University) Many different sciences are required in this field as well so in order to earn a BS in exercise physiology the student must also receive a C or higher in biology 1100 1101, 2140, 2141, 2150, and 2151, these are mostly anatomy biology's. Chemistry 1150, 1151, 1160, and 1161, these are usually organic chemistries, as well as English 1100 and 1200 and math 1065, college algebra. (Bulletin. East Carolina Undergraduate Catalog 2006-2007.254-255) These are just the core classes that an exercise physiology student must take. Other classes include exercise 2000 and nutrition 1000, just to name a few. After taking these classes, a student will have the ability to pursue further academic training in exercise physiology or other related areas of study.
The exercise physiology undergraduate program prepares students for training in areas of exercise physiology such as physical therapy, wellness program administration, and medicine. Students may not pursue postgraduate training, those who do not can still use their skills in a variety of health and fitness related professions. Some of these professions may include research assistants, a health/fitness technician, personal trainer or a fitness specialist for industry based wellness programs. Those who choose to further their education in exercise physiology can obtain positions such as an exercise physiologist, physical therapist, physician, physician's assistant, occupational therapy, administrator for industry based wellness program or a candidate for dentistry or optometry school. (“Employment Opportunities” East Carolina University)
As a freshmen majoring in exercise physiology here at ECU I interviewed an upper class men with my major to see what she had to say about life here as a student. “You are learning things that are going to help others, as well as experiencing a lot of what you will be doing in hands on activities through classes. You always hear a lot about how you need to exercise and stuff like that to be healthy, and in this field, you learn about why, how and all of the actual benefits of exercise and what is going on with your body and how it is benefiting you when you do practice a healthy lifestyle.” (Mayse. Feb.20, 2007) This is something very interesting because many people have no intention of understanding how exercise affects your body. When you study this and understand how your body reacts to exercise you become more interested and eager to become healthier. After studying this, students will be able to pass this knowledge on to those people they work with so that they do have an understanding of how beneficial exercise is for the human body.
“The beginning of the course requirements is the most challenging--getting the basic classes out of the way that have nothing to do directly with the major, like sciences. Once you begin taking classes strictly geared toward your major, it becomes easier because you are building on things as you move from one class to another. Everything is connected to what you learned in the previous semester. Most of your assignments will vary from class to class--some classes may be based on physics, some on anatomy, and some that are writing intensive that requires you to do research, but then you also get classes that you just get to come into and exercise for a while, or have discussions.” (Mayse. Feb. 20, 2007) Many of these classes, most often the science based classes such as biology and chemistry are what make a health and human performance major a professional in their desired career. Students in this major must first understand the basics in order to succeed in the future. Many of the hands on classes seem to be more interesting and are more likely to catch the student's interest over classes such as biology and chemistry.
“The age of professionalism has come for exercise physiology. If you are a member of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists, you stand a better chance of understanding the issues and problems, and a higher probability of being a valued asset. The good news is that there are exercise physiologists who are thinking hard and long about the professional development of exercise physiology. The bad news is that there are more exercise physiologists not thinking about the professionalism of exercise physiology.” (Boone.2) Many professions within exercise physiology are not always professional though some are and should be. As Boone said, being a member of the American Society of Exercise physiologists gives you a better chance of understanding issues and problems as well as having a better chance of earning a well-paid career. Do I want to be a professional? All exercise physiology majors should ask themselves this question.
Currently, I am enrolled in exercise 2000, which discusses kinesiology and physical education amongst different generations. Much of the curriculum covered in this class is based on the professionals who promote physical activity in our world today. “Kinesiology is "merely" a fancy word for gym. I will spend my life explaining our field to the world, and how a rich understanding of our field makes the world a better place. The reason the world feels this way about our field makes a lot of sense: many "professionals" in our field are not professional! They "roll out the balls" and claim to be professional. People and parents know better than that.” (Estes. Feb 2, 2007) This is a quote from my exercise 2000 professor on kinesiology in our world, and how much those with a degree in exercise and sport science see themselves as professionals when they take no initiative in their profession when promoting exercise to society. For example, as professor Estes stated, “roll out the balls” this is referring to those physical educators who call themselves professionals when they take no action as professionals in their field of study.
This label of “professional” does not always fit the owner of the degree if he or she does not take the knowledge they received and use it to their ability. This is why students who earn their degrees must utilize the knowledge they have earned through their years of schooling. Since exercise physiology is a health related profession, the knowledge they receive is very important not only to the professional receiving it but also to the client or patient who is receiving the guidance from this so-called professional.
““Exercise” should be the foundation of our healthcare system. However, the truth is that healthcare is a technology-driven growth industry. Meanwhile, as doctorates we engage in more research, build our resumes, and attend conferences that make us feel good. Many of our colleagues without the doctorate degree remain as fitness instructors and personal trainers, not as healthcare professionals” (Boone.5) As Boone stated before, the age of professionalism has come for those exercise physiology majors and since exercise is not included in the healthcare system, we must become professionals in order to create this foundation. Not all exercise physiology majors earn the doctorate degree and so they take the careers in the un-professional fields, when they can actually have the chance to become professional, as Boone believes. As these exercise physiology majors do earn their doctorate degree they will help in the foundation of this healthcare system. As professionals, these people must take that degree and use it to the fullest otherwise they are not contributing to the good of our field or in other words they “roll out the balls” and call themselves professional.
Though many unprofessional jobs are still valued in exercise physiology, they seem to have a much lower standard, as would any other non- doctorate health profession. As a student interested in personal training, the doctorate degree is not necessary, would help, but I can obtain my education without it, and still do something I would enjoy, as well as helping others obtain their health/fitness goals.
Exercise physiology will be a degree anyone can pursue. Having an interest in physical activity or sport may lead a student to this type of degree. Personal trainers, physical therapists, fitness specialists, exercise physiologists and physicians will become a greater need as people continue to gain weight. Therefore, those who take action now to gain a degree in exercise physiology will most likely have a job in the future working with people and helping them become healthy fit human beings.