Exercise Science Transfer Pathway

Alternative Job Titles for Exercise Physiologists

• Bariatric Weight Loss Counselor
• Certified Exercise Physiologist (EPC)
• Clinical Exercise Physiologist
• Clinical Exercise Specialist
• Exercise Physiologist
• Exercise Scientist
• Exercise Specialist
• Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant

Job Tasks and Activities for Exercise Physiologists

• Advise athletes, coaches, or trainers on exercise regimens, nutrition, or equipment use.
• Analyze quantitative data to determine effectiveness of treatments or therapies.
• Assess physical performance requirements to aid in the development of individualized recovery or rehabilitation exercise programs.
• Calibrate exercise or testing equipment.
• Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
• Communicate health and wellness information to the public.
• Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
• Conduct stress tests, using electrocardiograph (EKG) machines.
• Demonstrate activity techniques or equipment use.
• Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
• Develop exercise or conditioning programs.
• Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
• Educate athletes or coaches on techniques to improve athletic performance, such as heart rate monitoring, recovery techniques, hydration strategies, or training limits.
• Evaluate employee performance.
• Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.
• Evaluate staff performance in leading group exercise or conducting diagnostic tests.
• Explain exercise program or physiological testing procedures to participants.
• Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
• Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.
• Interview participants to obtain medical history or assess participant goals.
• Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
• Measure amount of body fat, using such equipment as hydrostatic scale, skinfold calipers, or tape measures.
• Measure oxygen consumption or lung functioning, using spirometers.
• Measure the physical or physiological attributes of patients.
• Mentor or train staff to lead group exercise.
• Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
• Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
• Order medical diagnostic or clinical tests.
• Order or recommend diagnostic procedures, such as stress tests, drug screenings, or urinary tests.
• Perform routine laboratory tests of blood samples for cholesterol level or glucose tolerance.
• Plan or conduct exercise physiology research projects.
• Prescribe individualized exercise programs, specifying equipment, such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, ergometers, or perceptual goggles.
• Prescribe treatments or therapies.
• Present exercise knowledge, program information, or research study findings at professional meetings or conferences.
• Present medical research reports.
• 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.
• Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
• Recommend methods to increase lifestyle physical activity.
• Supervise maintenance of exercise or exercise testing equipment.
• 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.
• Teach exercise or fitness techniques.
• Teach group exercise for low-, medium-, or high-risk clients to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning.
• Teach health management classes.
• Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.
• Test patient heart or lung functioning.
• Train caregivers or other non-medical personnel.
• Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.
• Treat medical emergencies.

Interests for Exercise Physiologists

• Realistic
  Designing, building, or repairing equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors.
• Investigative
  Studying and researching scientific subjects and human behavior.
• Social
  Helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others.

Skills for Exercise Physiologists

In order of importance

• Critical Thinking
  Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
  Importance: 75/100
• Instructing
  Teaching people how to do something.
  Importance: 75/100
• Speaking
  Talking to others.
  Importance: 75/100
• Active Listening
  Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
  Importance: 75/100
• Reading Comprehension
  Reading work-related information.
  Importance: 75/100
• Writing
  Writing things for co-workers or customers.
  Importance: 72/100
• Monitoring
  Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
  Importance: 69/100
• Service Orientation
  Looking for ways to help people.
  Importance: 69/100
• Judgment and Decision Making
  Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
  Importance: 69/100
• Social Perceptiveness
  Understanding people's reactions.
  Importance: 69/100
• Complex Problem Solving
  Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
  Importance: 66/100
• Active Learning
  Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
  Importance: 56/100
• Learning Strategies
  Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
  Importance: 56/100
• Systems Evaluation
  Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
  Importance: 53/100
• Coordination
  Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
  Importance: 53/100
• Systems Analysis
  Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
  Importance: 53/100
• Persuasion
  Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
  Importance: 50/100
• Negotiation
  Bringing people together to solve differences.
  Importance: 50/100
• Time Management
  Managing your time and the time of other people.
  Importance: 50/100
• Management of Personnel Resources
  Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
  Importance: 47/100
• Science
  Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
  Importance: 47/100
• Mathematics
  Using math to solve problems.
  Importance: 47/100
• Operations Analysis
  Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
  Importance: 31/100
• Quality Control Analysis
  Testing how well a product or service works.
  Importance: 28/100
• Operations Monitoring
  Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
  Importance: 28/100
• Troubleshooting
  Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
  Importance: 25/100
• Technology Design
  Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
  Importance: 25/100
• Operation and Control
  Using equipment or systems.
  Importance: 25/100
• Programming
  Writing computer programs.
  Importance: 22/100
• Equipment Selection
  Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
  Importance: 19/100
• Management of Material Resources
  Managing equipment and materials.
  Importance: 16/100
• Management of Financial Resources
  Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
  Importance: 13/100
• Installation
  Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
  Importance: 6/100
• Equipment Maintenance
  Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
  Importance: 6/100
• Repairing
  Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
  Importance: 3/100

Knowledge for Exercise Physiologists

In order of importance

• Customer and Personal Service
  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  Importance: 84/100
• Medicine and Dentistry
  Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  Importance: 73/100
• Education and Training
  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  Importance: 71/100
• Therapy and Counseling
  Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
  Importance: 71/100
• English Language
  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  Importance: 67/100
• Biology
  Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  Importance: 64/100
• Psychology
  Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  Importance: 60/100
• Mathematics
  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  Importance: 50/100
• Administrative
  Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
  Importance: 50/100
• Administration and Management
  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  Importance: 43/100
• Computers and Electronics
  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  Importance: 42/100
• Public Safety and Security
  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  Importance: 40/100
• Communications and Media
  Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  Importance: 34/100
• Sociology and Anthropology
  Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
  Importance: 34/100
• Sales and Marketing
  Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
  Importance: 32/100
• Physics
  Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
  Importance: 30/100
• Chemistry
  Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  Importance: 29/100
• Personnel and Human Resources
  Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
  Importance: 25/100
• Telecommunications
  Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  Importance: 25/100
• Law and Government
  Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  Importance: 23/100
• Economics and Accounting
  Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
  Importance: 19/100
• Mechanical
  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  Importance: 18/100
• Philosophy and Theology
  Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
  Importance: 16/100
• Design
  Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  Importance: 15/100
• Engineering and Technology
  Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  Importance: 13/100
• Foreign Language
  Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
  Importance: 10/100
• Transportation
  Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  Importance: 9/100
• Production and Processing
  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  Importance: 9/100
• Food Production
  Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
  Importance: 7/100
• Geography
  Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  Importance: 6/100
• History and Archeology
  Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
  Importance: 4/100
• Fine Arts
  Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
  Importance: 2/100
• Building and Construction
  Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  Importance: 2/100

Physical Abilities for Exercise Physiologists

In order of importance

• Problem Sensitivity
  Noticing when problems happen.
  Importance: 78/100
• Oral Expression
  Communicating by speaking.
  Importance: 78/100
• Speech Clarity
  Speaking clearly.
  Importance: 75/100
• Inductive Reasoning
  Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
  Importance: 75/100
• Oral Comprehension
  Listening and understanding what people say.
  Importance: 75/100
• Deductive Reasoning
  Using rules to solve problems.
  Importance: 75/100
• Written Comprehension
  Reading and understanding what is written.
  Importance: 75/100
• Speech Recognition
  Recognizing spoken words.
  Importance: 75/100
• Written Expression
  Communicating by writing.
  Importance: 72/100
• Information Ordering
  Ordering or arranging things.
  Importance: 66/100
• Category Flexibility
  Grouping things in different ways.
  Importance: 63/100
• Near Vision
  Seeing details up close.
  Importance: 60/100
• Far Vision
  Seeing details that are far away.
  Importance: 53/100
• Originality
  Creating new and original ideas.
  Importance: 53/100
• Fluency of Ideas
  Coming up with lots of ideas.
  Importance: 53/100
• Trunk Strength
  Using your lower back and stomach.
  Importance: 50/100
• Selective Attention
  Paying attention to something without being distracted.
  Importance: 50/100
• Flexibility of Closure
  Seeing hidden patterns.
  Importance: 50/100
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
  Keeping your arm or hand steady.
  Importance: 47/100
• Multilimb Coordination
  Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
  Importance: 47/100
• Mathematical Reasoning
  Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
  Importance: 47/100
• Visualization
  Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
  Importance: 44/100
• Perceptual Speed
  Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
  Importance: 44/100
• Time Sharing
  Doing two or more things at the same time.
  Importance: 44/100
• Memorization
  Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
  Importance: 41/100
• Number Facility
  Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
  Importance: 41/100
• Stamina
  Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
  Importance: 41/100
• Finger Dexterity
  Putting together small parts with your fingers.
  Importance: 35/100
• Speed of Closure
  Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
  Importance: 31/100
• Static Strength
  Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
  Importance: 31/100
• Auditory Attention
  Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
  Importance: 31/100
• Extent Flexibility
  Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Importance: 28/100
• Gross Body Coordination
  Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
  Importance: 28/100
• Manual Dexterity
  Holding or moving items with your hands.
  Importance: 28/100
• Hearing Sensitivity
  Telling the difference between sounds.
  Importance: 28/100
• Visual Color Discrimination
  Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
  Importance: 28/100
• Control Precision
  Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
  Importance: 28/100
• Dynamic Strength
  Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
  Importance: 28/100
• Gross Body Equilibrium
  Keeping your balance or staying upright.
  Importance: 25/100
• Rate Control
  Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
  Importance: 25/100
• Wrist-Finger Speed
  Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
  Importance: 22/100
• Speed of Limb Movement
  Quickly moving your arms and legs.
  Importance: 22/100
• Reaction Time
  Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
  Importance: 22/100
• Depth Perception
  Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
  Importance: 22/100
• Explosive Strength
  Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
  Importance: 16/100
• Response Orientation
  Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
  Importance: 16/100
• Dynamic Flexibility
  Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Importance: 16/100

Tools and Technology used by Exercise Physiologists

• Dynamometers
• Body plethysmographs
• Intravenous infusion pumps for general use
• Mobile medical services automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddles
• Calorimeters
• Photocopiers
• Treadmills
• Electrocardiography EKG units
• Pulse oximeter units
• Microcentrifuges
• Impedance meters
• Cholesterol monitors or meters
• Cognitive or dexterity or perceptual or sensory evaluation or testing products
• Climbing devices for rehabilitation or therapy
• Spirometers
• Electronic blood pressure units
• Weights or sets for rehabilitation or therapy
• Medical acoustic stethoscopes
• Stationary bicycles
• Notebook computers
• Clock timers
• Mercury blood pressure units
• Cardiac output CO monitoring units
• Holter or wearable EKG monitoring systems or accessories
• Mass spectrometers
• Medical ultrasound or doppler or echocardiograph transducer accessories
• Work table or station for rehabilitation or therapy
• Patient floor scales
• Respiratory monitoring kit accessories
• Electromyography EMG units
• Special purpose telephones
• Urinalysis analyzers
• Infrared spectrometers
• Bodyweight measuring scales
• Grip strengthener
• Electrocardiography EKG transmitters or telemetry devices
• Goniometers or arthrometers
• Pedometers
• Lactate analyzers
• Skinfold calipers
• Desktop computers
• Osmometers
• Personal computers
• Electronic mail software
  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook
• Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
• Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel
• Medical software
  • MEDITECH software
• Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office software
• Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word
• Internet browser software
  • Web browser software

Employment Industries for Exercise Physiologists

• General medical and surgical hospitals; private
  3,600 employed
• Offices of all other health practitioners
  800 employed
• Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists
  600 employed
• Offices of physicians
  500 employed
• General medical and surgical hospitals; local
  400 employed