ACSM's Chapter 11, Careers and Professional Issues in Exercise Science

Certification

A process whereby individuals demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in content, skills, and abilities of the specific areas for which they are intending to work

Licensure

Granting of permission by an official or legal authority (usually a government agency) to an individual or organization to engage in a practice or activity that would otherwise be illegal (broader range of practice)

Registration

Documentation of professional qualification information relevant to government licensing regulations

Credentialing

Providing certified documents showing that an individual is entitled to credit or has a right to perform certain functions or actions

Credentialing organization

Professional organization or governmental agency that oversees and administers examinations for certification, licensure, or registration

Interactive component

A part of an examination whereby the candidate taking the examination must respond to a visual situation

Continuing education units

Additional professional education that is required to maintain certification, licensure, or registration

Program accreditation

The granting of an academic program the standing of meeting acceptable criteria for the preparation of students enrolled in the program

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

The largest organization for program accreditation in the health and exercise science field

Committee on the Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences

An organization designed to establish standards and guidelines for academic programs that facilitate the preparation of students seeking employment in the health, fitness, and exercise industry

Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education

The agency responsible for the accreditation of professional athletic training educational programs

Fitness industry

A global term used to describe components related to improving health and fitness of individuals through physical activity and exercise

Deconditioned

A state of being unfit to perform physical activity or exercise

Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS)

provides scientific service, expertise, skills, and tools in support of CDC's national efforts to promote health; prevent disease, injury, and disability; and prepare for emerging health threats

Athletic trainer

Prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries to physically active individuals and athletes (must be certified and licensed in some states)

Clinical biomechanics

Focuses on the mechanics of injury and the principles of prevention, evaluation, and treatment of musculoskeletal problems

Sport biomechanics

Examines factors of human movement associated with exercise and training for the purpose of improving sport and athletic performance

Ergonomics

The study of the interaction between humans, the objects they use, and the environments in which they function

Chiropractor

Prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries by using spinal manipulations to improve spinal motion and the body's function (must graduate from accredited chiropractor school and take examination for license)

Clinical exercise physiologist

Work with healthy and diseased individuals in a variety of employment settings: performing health and fitness assessments, developing and implementing exercise prescriptions, monitoring effectiveness of interventions

Dietician/sport dietician

assesses nutritional needs of individuals, develops and helps with implementation of nutritional programs, advises patients and clients on health and disease-related conditions

Exercise and sport psychologist

Work with healthy and diseased individuals, and athletes of all performance and competition levels to enhance the psychological components related to successful performance

Medical doctor

Licensed professional, involved in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of illness and injuries to individuals, has a defined scope of practice

Occupational therapist

Assists individuals with physically, mentally, emotionally, or developmentally crippling conditions to maintain or recover working skills and daily function

Personal trainer

Works with individuals to assess functional capacity, develops and implements exercise programs for enhancing physical fitness and health, benefits from strong academic background

Physical therapist

Develops structured treatment and rehabilitation programs to improve mobility, reduce pain, and prevent or limit permanent disability, conducts evaluations to implement treatment

Physician assistant

A licensed professional who works under the supervision of a medical doctor in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of illness and injuries to individuals, works with variety of other professionals to provide care

Podiatrist

Diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg (4 years of medical school, residency, and pass national licensing exam)

Recreational therapist

Licensed professional that uses recreational and activity-based interventions to address the needs of individuals with illnesses and/or limiting conditions; provides treatment services and recreation activities to individuals

Strength and conditioning coach

Development and implementation of specialized training programs for athletes, works with a variety of individual and team sport athletes, increase factors of physical activity to improve performance

Wellness and fitness industry professional

Works with members of the general public to develop and implement physical activity and exercise programs to improve health, wellness, and fitness; individual group exercise leaders, fitness director, operations or facility manager, club manager, or general manager

American Council on Exercise (ACE)

Committed to enriching quality of life through safe and effective exercise and physical activity

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)

Provides with wide-ranging and coordinated support, resources, and programs to help professionals improve their skills and abilities to help further enhance the health and well-being or the public

American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)

Provides educational and networking opportunities that inform individuals of new advances, current legislative and reimbursement initiatives, as well as member benefits to help improve the care and and quality of life for patients with heart and lung diseases

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

Provides support for individuals with an interest in exercise and health

American Society of Biomechanics (ASB)

Encourages and fosters the exchange of information and ideas among biomechanists working in various disciplines and fields of application for the improvement of health, well-being, and sport performance

American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP)

Committed to the professional development of exercise physiology, its advancement, and the enhanced credibility of exercise physiologists

Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)

Promotes the ethical practice, science, and advocacy of sport and exercise psychology

International Society of Biomechanics (ISB)

Promotes international contacts among scientists, promotes the dissemination of knowledge, and forms liaisons with national organizations

International Society of Biomechanics in Sport (ISBS)

Provides a forum for the exchange of ideas for sport biomechanics researchers, coaches, and teachers

International Society of Motor Control (ISMC)

Dedicated to the development of its members who are interested in basic and applied research in the area of control of movements in biologic systems

National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA)

Develops and presents the most advanced information regarding injury prevention and rehabilitation

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

Develops and makes available the most advanced information regarding strength training and conditioning practices, performance enhancement, and injury prevention

North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA)

Works to disseminate information about the psychology of physical activity, exercise, and sport

Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition Dietetics Practice Group (SCAN)

Works to promote healthy active lifestyles through practice in sports, cardiovascular, and wellness nutrition and the prevention and treatment of disordered eating

US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Federal government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

World's premier medical research organization, supporting close to 40,000 research projects nationwide in diseases including AIDS, Alzheimer's, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Promote the health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability