An ACSM Public

How Does One Study The following list of topics is representative of those Information Brochure
Exercise Physiology? available (and is not all-inclusive):
• Human anatomy
• Biological Science (including Cellular
The professional expertise, certification, training and Physiology, Genetics and Histology)
education requirements for an exercise physiologist will
vary depending on the employment setting.
• Biomechanics
• Chemistry (Inorganic, Organic, Physical and
What is an
Biochemistry)
For an academic career in research and/or teaching, a
Ph.D. degree is required. Rarely will the training and
experiences associated with a master’s degree be
• Computer Science
• Environmental Physiology
Exercise
• Exercise Physiology
considered adequate preparation. At many universities,
opportunities for graduate study are available in academic
• First Aid
• Health Education
Physiologist?
units of medicine, physiology, biology, physical education, • Human Physiology
kinesiology, exercise science, and biochemistry. For
• Mathematics (with Calculus)
positions in commercial or industrial settings, educational
• Kinesiology
opportunities are best obtained through departments of • Laboratory Techniques in Exercise Physiology
physical education, exercise science, health science and
and Exercise Biochemistry
nutrition. For positions in health-related settings, the most
• Motor Learning and Development
valuable educational opportunities are obtained through • Nutrition
departments of health science, physical therapy, physical
• Physical Fitness Evaluation
education, kinesiology, or exercise science.
• Physics
• Psychology
It is recommended that the student interested in exercise
• Statistics and Research
physiology visit various types of employment settings to
• Design
gain further insight concerning the necessary training
background, the certification prerequisites, the job
responsibilities, the general work environment and the
employment potential. In addition, it can be helpful to
evaluate the education and training programs as well as
the requirements and course offerings at a number of
schools to assist in determining career objectives.

What Undergraduate Courses

Should Someone Interested in
Exercise Physiology Take?

The undergraduate curriculum is influenced, in part, by

one’s career choice. A breadth of preparation in general
biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, mathematics
and computer science is important if a research and
teaching career in an academic institution is desired. In
the case of some professional programs (e.g., physical
therapy), the curriculum is fairly well defined. On the
other hand, valuable training in specific areas more
directly applicable to some of the employment
opportunities described can be selected by an
undergraduate.
ACSM grants permission to reproduce this brochure, if it is reproduced in its
entirety without alteration. The text may be reproduced in another publication if it is
used in its entirety without alteration and the following statement added: Reprinted
with permission of the American College of Sports Medicine. Copyright © 2005
American College of Sports Medicine. This brochure is a product of ACSM’s
Consumer Products Committee.
ACSM… Advancing Health through
Science, Fitness and Medicine
What is an Exercise Physiologist?
Many people write to the American College of Sports
Medicine asking: What is an exercise physiologist? What
does an exercise physiologist do? How does one
become an exercise physiologist? The following
information is provided to help answer these and other
questions about the field of exercise physiology.
What is Exercise Physiology?
Physiology is the general study of all life processes.
Exercise physiology can be described as the science
which deals with the study of muscular activity and the
associated functional responses and adaptations. In this
context, an exercise physiologist must have a general
understanding of the scientific basis underlying exercise-
induced physiological responses.
Questions of Interest to Exercise
Physiologists
• How does exercise influence weight loss among
dieters?
• What training methods are best for athletes in
different sports?
• How does a muscle cell generate force?
• How does the heart function to move blood
through the body?
• How does the body regulate its internal
temperature during exercise?
• How does the body provide the necessary
energy to perform the exercise tasks?
• What are the acute and/or chronic responses to
particular forms of exercise?
• How does one become physically fit for
particular sports activities?
• What are the different components of fitness?
• How does physical fitness relate to health
(absence of disease) or to illness (such as
cardiovascular disease)?
• What is the influence of exercise in managing
body weight, composition and fat distribution?
• Which sports drinks are appropriate for
hydration/rehydration?
• Can regular exercise prevent a loss of bone
density?
What does an
Exercise Physiologist Do?
Exercise physiologists are scientists who conduct
controlled investigations of responses and adaptations to
muscular activity utilizing human subjects or animals
within a clinical setting, research institute or an academic
institution. Very often such a person teaches academic
courses in exercise physiology, environmental physiology,
or applied human physiology for students of medicine,
physiology, physical education and other health-related
fields. Other areas where an individual using applied
exercise physiology may be employed are:
Community Organizations
Many YMCAs and similar organizations conduct
scientifically-based exercise programs for health
maintenance, cardiac risk factor reduction, and
rehabilitation.
Commerce and Industry
Opportunities for employment in these settings have
recently expanded. More and more corporations are
recognizing the value of employee fitness programs and
employ personnel trained in the area of adult fitness.
Commercial opportunities related to health and fitness
evaluation, exercise prescription and overall program
management are also found in spas, health clubs and
recreation centers. The Association for Worksite Health
Promotion in Chicago is an important organization to
contact if one has an interest in these types of programs.
Rehabilitation Programs
Cardiac rehabilitation programs, respiratory therapy and
physical therapy centers are becoming more and more
prevalent not only in hospitals, but in health centers and
rehab clinics. Opportunities in this area of employment
may focus on preventative medicine (enhanced well-
being) as well as the treatment of established diseases.
Competitive Sports Programs
Sports medicine clinics and athletic teams employ
physical therapists, physical trainers, and athletic trainers
to help in the prevention and rehabilitation of athletic
injuries. Workers in these areas have become
increasingly well versed in exercise physiology.
Individuals acquainted with the principles of exercise
physiology are now being sought for various sport-related
areas of employment
What Certification is Needed to Be an
Exercise Physiologist?
Many of the employment opportunities mentioned above
may require special certification. The American College
of Sports Medicine (ACSM) provides certification in two
tracks with two certifications in each. The Health and
Fitness Track Certifications include ACSM Certified
Personal Trainer and ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor;
both recognize competence in working with healthy
individuals who have no history of disease or who have
controlled disease.
The Clinical Track Certifications include ACSM Exercise
Specialist and ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise
Physiologist. The Exercise Specialist Certification is for
fitness professionals who work with individuals with
controlled cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or metabolic
disease. The Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist
credential is for fitness professionals who work with
individuals referred by or are currently under the care of a
physician, and those with cardiovascular, pulmonary,
metabolic, orthopedic/musculoskeletal, neuromuscular,
and/or immunological/hematological disease.
For more information of ACSM Certifications, please call
the ACSM Certification Resource Center toll-free at Tel.:
(800) 486-5643.