Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility.
Duties
Exercise physiologists typically do the following:
Analyze a patient's medical history to determine the best possible exercise and fitness regimen for the patient
Perform fitness and stress tests with medical equipment and analyze the resulting patient data
Measure blood pressure, oxygen usage, heart rhythm, and other key patient health indicators
Develop exercise programs to improve patient health
Supervise clinical tests to ensure patient safety
Exercise physiologists, sometimes called kinesiotherapists, work to improve overall patient health. Many of their patients suffer from health problems such as cardiovascular disease or pulmonary (lung) disease. Exercise physiologists provide health education and exercise plans to improve key health indicators.
Some physiologists work closely with primary care physicians, who may prescribe exercise regiments for their patients and refer them to exercise physiologists. The physiologists then work with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that will help the patients meet their health and fitness goals.
