Exercise Physiology
Exercise physiology is a combination of basic and applied sciences. Exercise physiologists are involved in the healthcare network by establishing exercise, fitness, and rehabilitative prescriptions, standards, and priorities. Exercise physiologists work in health promotion, fitness facilities, colleges and universities, clinical rehabilitation facilities, and sport and athletic conditioning programs.
Exercise Physiology Employment Projections
Exercise physiology and related healthcare occupations are expected to make up 7 of the 20 fastest growing occupations (the largest proportion of any occupational group). Employment opportunities in fitness, healthcare and health-related industries are projected to increase 25-30% over the next decade, with more than 3 out of every 10 new jobs created in healthcare. Fitness and recreation sports centers will provide many new jobs as these establishments become more common and continue to need trained professionals to care for their clients. Employment growth will be driven by increasing demand for healthcare by an aging population and longer life expectancies.
Exercise Physiology Program Goals
- To utilize knowledge, skills, and abilities to evaluate risk factors and implement exercise prescriptions for individuals who are apparently healthy, at moderate risk, or who have known disease.
- To utilize knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct and evaluate exercise and fitness assessments.
- To prepare undergraduate Exercise Physiology students for entry level exercise physiology professions and related allied health fields or graduate level education.
- To prepare undergraduate Exercise Physiology students for advanced professional certifications or licenses from nationally recognized organizations.
Exercise Physiology Program Objectives
- Design and implement exercise prescriptions and programs in healthy and diseased populations.
- Conduct and interpret common fitness and clinical exercise physiology tests
- Recognize and interpret cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and metabolic changes that occur during exercise in healthy and diseased populations.
- Develop safe and effective policies, procedures and guidelines for exercise programming using nationally recognized standards.
- Develop cognitive and clinical skills related to exercise testing, exercise prescription and exercise programming.
Exercise Physiology Program Accreditation
The Exercise Physiology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) (http://www.caahep.org/.). Ohio Northern's Exercise Physiology program is one of only eighteen undergraduate colleges in the country currently with this distinctive accreditation and the only traditional undergraduate school in the midwest. CAAHEP accreditation ensures Exercise Physiology majors will have met vigorous national standards established by professional organizations and ensures you will have all the knowledge, skills and assessments to be successful upon graduation. The Exercise Physiology program is also recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Education Recognition Program as having a curriculum that prepares you for the NSCA's national certification exam (http://www.nsca-lift.org/.). These credentials represent our faculty's commitment to providing the most up to date and pertinent curriculum for our students.
Exercise Physiology Program Graduates
Over the last three years, 96% (24/25) of the Exercise Physiology majors completed their degree in Exercise Physiology upon completion of their sophomore year. Over the last five years, 80% (29/36) our Exercise Physiology majors have continued their education in graduate school. In the last three years, 92% (11/12) of these Exercise Physiology graduates applying to graduate school have been admitted to graduate programs.
- Exercise Physiology Graduate School Programs
- physical therapy and occupational therapy
- dietetics
- clinical exercise physiology and cardiac rehabilitation
- biomechanics and kinesiology
- public health
- chiropractic medicine
- strength and conditioning
Other Exercise Physiology graduates have sought employment immediately upon graduation. Over the last five years, 100% (7/7) of our Exercise Physiology graduates seeking employment after graduation found employment within one year.
- Exercise Physiology Occupational Opportunities
- personal trainers and exercise specialists
- strength and conditioning specialists
- health, fitness and wellness center directors
- cardiac rehabilitation
- health promotion strategists