Exercise Physiologists: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
- Education Required
- Exercise physiologists typically need at least a bachelors degree in exercise physiology, exercise science, kinesiology, or a related field. Masters degree programs also are available. Programs include courses in science and health-related subjects, such as biology, anatomy, statistics, kinesiology, and nutrition, as well as clinical work. In 2017, there were about 60 programs in exercise physiology, exercise science, and kinesiology accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 13% (Faster than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Licenses/Certifications
- Louisiana is the only state that requires exercise physiologists to be licensed, although some states have pending legislation to create licensure requirements.
- Median pay: How much do Exercise Physiologists make?
- $47,340 Annual Salary
- $22.76 per hour
Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility.
What do Exercise Physiologists do?
Exercise physiologists typically do the following:
- Analyze a patients medical history to assess their risk during exercise and 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 patients health
Exercise physiologists 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 regimens 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.
Exercise physiologists should not be confused with fitness trainers and instructors (including personal trainers) or athletic trainers.
Careers for Exercise Physiologists
- Applied exercise physiologists
- Clinical exercise physiologists
- Kinesiotherapists