Exercise physiology studies the body’s response to physical activity, focusing on “exercise as medicine.” It can be divided into fitness and rehabilitation, with job opportunities including sports medicine researcher and fitness trainer. Strong communication skills and rigorous university courses are required. Salaries vary by location and experience.
Exercise physiology is a field of study devoted to examining the body’s response to physical activity. In a nutshell, their main focus is “exercise as medicine”. Topics of interest to someone working in this field might include human energy expenditure, human energy transfer, and environmental effects on physiology. Exercise physiologists also devote much study to how physical activity influences the cardiovascular system, endocrine system, and musculoskeletal system of the body.
The field of exercise physiology can be divided into two main areas of expertise: fitness and rehabilitation. Exercise physiologists who focus on fitness can work with professional athletes to improve their performance or advise private clients who are trying to lose weight and get in shape. Rehabilitation physiologists often help people who are recovering from injuries or dealing with chronic conditions such as arthritis and low back pain by developing a personalized exercise program that can be used as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy.
Contrary to popular belief, becoming a successful exercise physiologist requires much more than a simple knowledge of sports and physical fitness. Strong communication skills are essential, as an exercise physiologist must often work closely with a wide variety of patients on a daily basis. Students interested in pursuing careers in the field of exercise physiology will also need to complete rigorous university courses in chemistry, human anatomy, sports nutrition, kinesiology and biomechanics. Typically, an undergraduate degree is required in that field or in the exercise science field, and a master’s degree may be required for certain types of employment. Hands-on experience gained through an internship or part-time job is highly recommended for most entry-level exercise physiology positions.
There are many job opportunities in the field of exercise physiology. An exercise physiologist may find work as a sports and wellness program manager, sports medicine researcher, fitness trainer, corporate health specialist, nutritional consultant, or sports physiologist for a professional athletic team. There are also several hospital positions available to exercise physiologists who want to specialize in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Exercise physiologist salaries vary by geographic location, professional experience, and type of employer.
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