Exercise Physiologists

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1128
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.

Tools and technology

MEDITECH software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Arm crank ergometers, Automated blood pressure measurement equipment, Automated external defibrillators AED, Bioelectric impedance analyzers, Cholesterol analyzers, Cycle ergometers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
• Physical Therapists
• Physical Therapist Assistants
• Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
• Athletic Trainers
• Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
• Dietitians and Nutritionists
• Recreational Therapists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Exercise Physiologists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.