Careers

>

Health Science

>

Therapeutic Services

>

Exercise Physiologists

Exercise Physiologists

Overview
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Examples

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.

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.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $36K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $42K
Median Salary: $50K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $62K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $78K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.

Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.

Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.

Recommend methods to increase lifestyle physical activity.

Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.

Prescribe individualized exercise programs, specifying equipment, such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, ergometers, or perceptual goggles.

Provide clinical oversight of exercise for participants at all risk levels.

Explain exercise program or physiological testing procedures to participants.

Interview participants to obtain medical history or assess participant goals.

Assess physical performance requirements to aid in the development of individualized recovery or rehabilitation exercise programs.

Teach behavior modification classes related to topics such as stress management or weight control.

Conduct stress tests, using electrocardiograph (EKG) machines.

Measure oxygen consumption or lung functioning, using spirometers.

Educate athletes or coaches on techniques to improve athletic performance, such as heart rate monitoring, recovery techniques, hydration strategies, or training limits.

Evaluate staff performance in leading group exercise or conducting diagnostic tests.

Teach group exercise for low-, medium-, or high-risk clients to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning.

Calibrate exercise or testing equipment.

Measure amount of body fat, using such equipment as hydrostatic scale, skinfold calipers, or tape measures.

Mentor or train staff to lead group exercise.

Teach courses or seminars related to exercise or diet for patients, athletes, or community groups.

Perform routine laboratory tests of blood samples for cholesterol level or glucose tolerance.

Supervise maintenance of exercise or exercise testing equipment.

Present exercise knowledge, program information, or research study findings at professional meetings or conferences.

Order or recommend diagnostic procedures, such as stress tests, drug screenings, or urinary tests.

Plan or conduct exercise physiology research projects.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Medical software
MEDITECH software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Communications Devices and Accessories
Multi-line telephone systems
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Laptop computers
Emergency and field medical services products
Automated external defibrillators AED
Fitness equipment
Cycle ergometers
Intravenous and arterial administration products
Intravenous IV infusion pumps
Laboratory and scientific equipment
Microhematocrits
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Cholesterol analyzers
Medical diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine products
Echocardiography systems
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Photocopying equipment
Patient exam and monitoring products
Holter monitors
Physical and occupational therapy and rehabilitation products
Arm crank ergometers
Respiratory and anesthesia and resuscitation products
Whole body air plethysmography systems
Security surveillance and detection
Electronic timing systems
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Customer and Personal Service
88%
Importance

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.

Medicine and Dentistry
79%
Importance

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.

Education and Training
77%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Therapy and Counseling
77%
Importance

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

English Language
74%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Biology
71%
Importance

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Psychology
69%
Importance

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.

Clerical
60%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Mathematics
60%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Administration and Management
55%
Importance

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.

Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
80%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking
80%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Instructing
80%
Importance

Teaching others how to do something.

Reading Comprehension
80%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking
80%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing
78%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Judgment and Decision Making
75%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring
75%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Service Orientation
75%
Importance

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness
75%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Top 10 Abilities
Oral Expression
83%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity
83%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Deductive Reasoning
80%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
80%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Speech Clarity
80%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition
80%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Written Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Written Expression
78%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Information Ordering
73%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Top 10 Work Activities
Assisting and Caring for Others
93%
Importance

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
88%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Getting Information
88%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
85%
Importance

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Documenting/Recording Information
83%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Performing General Physical Activities
83%
Importance

Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
83%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
81%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Interacting With Computers
80%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Coaching and Developing Others
79%
Importance

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Detailed Work Activities

Develop exercise or conditioning programs.

Treat medical emergencies.

Demonstrate activity techniques or equipment use.

Teach exercise or fitness techniques.

Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.

Analyze quantitative data to determine effectiveness of treatments or therapies.

Prescribe treatments or therapies.

Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.

Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.

Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.

Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.

Teach health management classes.

Test patient heart or lung functioning.

Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.

Advise athletes, coaches, or trainers on exercise regimens, nutrition, or equipment use.

Evaluate employee performance.

Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.

Maintain medical equipment or instruments.

Train caregivers or other non-medical personnel.

Measure the physical or physiological attributes of patients.

Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.

Present medical research reports.

Communicate health and wellness information to the public.

Order medical diagnostic or clinical tests.

Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.

Work Context
Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Deal With External Customers

How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Education
Majors
Major
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Interests
Social
91%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Investigative
77%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Realistic
58%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Artistic
53%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Enterprising
48%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Conventional
39%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Top 10 Work Styles
Dependability
95%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity
94%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Concern for Others
91%
Importance

Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Cooperation
87%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Self Control
87%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Attention to Detail
85%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Social Orientation
84%
Importance

Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Initiative
81%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Achievement/Effort
79%
Importance

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Stress Tolerance
78%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Work Values
Relationships
91%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Achievement
86%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Independence
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Recognition
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Working Conditions
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Support
48%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.