Exercise Physiologist

Assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Bariatric Weight Loss Counselor; Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Practitioner; Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Therapist; Certified Exercise Physiologist (Certified EP); Clinical Cardiac Exercise Physiologist; Clinical Exercise Physiologist; Clinical Exercise Specialist; Exercise Scientist; Exercise Specialist; Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant

Tasks

• Explain exercise program or physiological testing procedures to participants.
• Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
• Provide clinical oversight of exercise for participants at all risk levels.
• Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
• Interview participants to obtain medical history or assess participant goals.
• Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
• Prescribe individualized exercise programs, specifying equipment, such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, ergometers, or perceptual goggles.
• Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.
• Conduct stress tests, using electrocardiograph (EKG) machines.
• Recommend methods to increase lifestyle physical activity.
• Assess physical performance requirements to aid in the development of individualized recovery or rehabilitation exercise programs.
• Measure oxygen consumption or lung functioning, using spirometers.
• Teach group exercise for low-, medium-, or high-risk clients to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning.
• Teach behavior modification classes related to topics such as stress management or weight control.
• Teach courses or seminars related to exercise or diet for patients, athletes, or community groups.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• Medicine and Dentistry
• English Language
• Biology
• Education and Training
• Psychology
• Therapy and Counseling
• Administrative
• Mathematics
• Public Safety and Security
• Computers and Electronics

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Oral Expression
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Written Expression
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Near Vision
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Flexibility of Closure
• Far Vision
• Selective Attention
• Trunk Strength