Chapter 5

Exercise Physiology

Introduction

What is exercise physiology? This chapter answers that question and also gives the student a taste of what it is that exercise physiologists do. General areas of study in basic and applied exercise physiology are explained, along with a description of the tools researchers in exercise physiology use to study various topics. Also included is a brief discussion of the type of academic training the student can expect to undergo, with an emphasis on how an undergraduate exercise science degree is often used—as part of a preprofessional school degree. The chapter ends with a list of professional organizations, certifications, and journals in the field of exercise physiology.

Chapter Objectives

After studying this chapter, students will be able to do the following:

Define exercise physiology.
Define what or who an exercise physiologist is.
Appreciate the diversity of employment opportunities in the field of exercise physiology.
Be able to list and describe the various areas of study in exercise physiology.
Describe common research tools in exercise physiology.
Outline the educational background that exercise physiologists in various work environments must have.
Be familiar with preprofessional organizations, certifications, and journals in exercise physiology.

Study Questions

Explain the difference between an exercise response and an adaptation to exercise.
Discuss how exercise physiology is related to its parent disciplines—physiology and physical education.
Why can exercise be such a useful tool for researchers to use in furthering their understanding of how the body works?
List the body systems that adapt in some way to exercise training.
What is an exercise physiologist?
List the areas of basic study in exercise physiology and for each (a) give a brief description, and (b) give an example of related research.
Discuss the implications of altered autonomic nervous system function as a result of exercise training.
Discuss why research in exercise physiology can be of potential benefit to individuals under the following conditions: cardiac rehabilitation, AIDS, pregnancy, space flight, and diabetes.
Discuss the ways in which exercise can help individuals control their weight.
Describe the kinds of questions researchers in exercise physiology try to answer in regard to the effects of exercise in heat and humidity.
Explain why exercise programs can be beneficial to children. Why is caution warranted when designing exercise programs for children?
List the possible uses of an undergraduate degree in exercise science, including its use as a preprofessional degree.
Describe the typical core courses in an undergraduate exercise science program.
Describe the process a student must undergo to receive a master’s or doctoral degree in exercise physiology.
List the journals that publish research in exercise physiology by the ACSM, APS, SHAPE, NSCA, and AACVPR.
Outline the three ACSM certification categories and explain the differences between them.
List employment opportunities in exercise physiology and give a job description of each.

Student Activities

Students frequently use exercise science as a preprofessional degree. Have students investigate and turn in a brief report on classes or practical experiences they need, in addition to the exercise science requirements, in order to get into medical school, physical therapy school, and so forth.
Have students volunteer as research subjects, observe data collection, or spend an afternoon with an exercise physiologist. Write a report on the experience or share it with the class.
Have students investigate and answer the question: What can you do to increase the probability that you can get a job as an exercise physiologist when you are through with school? Include various career options discussed in the chapter.
Encourage students to join a professional organization that is related to exercise physiology and attend a regional or national meeting.

Lab

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Suggested Readings
Astrand, P. O., Rodahl, K., Dahl, H. A., & Stromme, S. (2003). Textbook of work physiology: Physiological bases of exercise (4th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Brooks, G. A., Fahey, T. D., & Baldwin, K. (2005). Exercise physiology: Human bioenergetics and its applications (4th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Housh, T. J., Housh, D. J., & deVries, H. A. (2016). Applied exercise & sport physiology (3rd ed.). Scottsdale, AZ: Holcomb Hathaway.
Kenney, W. L., Wilmore, J. H., & Costill, D. L. (2015). Physiology of sport and exercise (6th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.