Clinical Exercise Physiology

Overview

The American College of Sports Medicine is the national association responsible for establishing guidelines and recommendations for exercise testing, prescription and evaluation of research for both healthy populations and those with chronic disease. 

The ACSM certification is deemed the organization's most prestigious credential for clinical professionals with a master's degree working with clients who are under the care of a physician for cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic diseases as well as orthopedic or musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and neoplastic immunological or hematological diseases. The Clinical Exercise Physiology MSc program is offered Arizona State University .

Career Opportunities

Clinical exercise physiology, in which exercise is used to help clients manage or reduce their risk of chronic disease, is a relatively new career field. It is an exciting and growing profession in the health care realm that has recently been organized on the national level, recognized by the federal government and defined as an occupation. The unique and vital profession will grow as certifications and licensures support the value of clinical exercise physiology.

Career opportunities are available in:

• hospital-based research facilities
• hospitals
• outpatient clinics
• physician offices
• university laboratories