Chapter 14 Careers in Therapeutic Exercise

14

Careers in Therapeutic Exercise

Chad Starkey

C H A P T E R

Therapeutic Exercise Defined

• Systematic and scientific application of exercise and movement experiences to develop or restore muscular strength, endurance, or flexibility; neuromuscular coordination; cardiovascular efficiency; and other health and performance factors

• Programmed physical activity aimed at improving or restoring the quality of life

• Classified as being rehabilitative or habilitative

Figure 14.1

Goals of Therapeutic Exercise Professionals

To help people restore lost function (rehabilitative therapeutic exercise) or acquire skills and functions considered normal or expected (habilitative therapeutic exercise)

Types of Therapeutic Exercise

• Rehabilitative therapeutic exercise refers to processes and treatments that restore skills or functions that were previously acquired but have been lost because of injury, disease, or behavioral traits.

• Habilitative therapeutic exercise refers to processes and treatments leading to the acquisition of skills and functions that are considered normal and expected for an individual of a certain age and status.

Therapeutic Exercise Focus

To help individuals who are experiencing physical dysfunction stemming from traumatic injury, congenital defects, or disease to regain the use of the affected body part or compensate for its disability

Rehabilitative Therapeutic Exercise

Exercise therapy for the rehabilitation of – Musculoskeletal injuries– Athletic injuries– Postsurgical trauma– Older populations– Psychological disorders (mind–body

relationship)– Cardiopulmonary system

Habilitative Therapeutic Exercise

Exercise therapy for habilitation of– Obese populations– Children with developmental disorders– General fitness– Specialized performance (meet standards

that exceed rather than merely meet those of the general population such as sport training, military boot camp, fire or police academy)

Sedentary Lifestyles

• Societal changes have negatively affected the health of a significant portion of the population.

• The information age has created a relatively sedentary group of people.

• Therapeutic exercise—even in the form of casual recreation—can offer a more balanced lifestyle.

Therapeutic Exercise Settings

• Inpatient facilities• Outpatient clinic settings• Sport team settings• Private practice

Overviews of Professions in Therapeutic Exercise

• Credentials for each profession vary, overlap, and also change regularly.

Pay careful attention to the changing required standards for employment for education, licensure, and so on.

• A strong science base and an active clinical education component are critical to your preparation and success.

Athletic Trainer

Responsible for the prevention, evaluation, management, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries

•Education and credentialsCertification through the Commission on Accreditation of

Athletic Training Education (CAATE); clinical experience required

•Employment opportunitiesHigh schools, colleges and universities, and

professional sport teams, hospitals, sports medicine clinics, industrial rehabilitation clinics, and other allied medical environments

Clinical Exercise Physiologist

• Cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic disease care– Exercise testing and prescription – Program administration

(continued)

Clinical Exercise Physiologist (continued)

• Education and credentials

– Recommended undergraduate and graduate degree

– Specialized courses and certifications (ACSM)

• Exercise specialist (ES)

• Registered clinical exercise physiologist (RCEP)

– Required credentials vary by state

• Employment opportunities

Growth in aging population resulting in growth of these types of positions

Occupational Therapist

• Helps injured or ill individuals reach their maximum level of independence by emphasizing the acquisition and retention of functional skills

• Education and credentials– National Board for Certification in Occupational

Therapy, Inc.– State licensure– OT: master’s degree (as of 2007)– COTA (certified occupational therapy assistants)

two-year degree program (continued)

Occupational Therapist (continued)

• Employment opportunities

Growth related to increased services being provided to children and middle-aged individuals at greater risk for cardiovascular disease and illness

Physical Therapy Specialty Certifications

Physical Therapist• Provides rehabilitative care to a diverse patient

population with a wide range of injuries, illnesses, and diseases

• Education and credentials– Physical therapist (plans, directs, implements patient

care)• Accredited master’s degree program (doctorate of PT

required by 2020)• State licensure

– Physical therapist assistant• Delivers care under direction of PT• Accredited two-year program• State licensure

(continued)

Physical Therapist (continued)

• Employment settings– Geriatric care– Pediatric care– Sport physical therapy

• Employment opportunitiesIncreased survival rates of accident victims along with

increased support from employers indicates growth in job opportunities.

Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

• Treats people with physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral disabilities to restore function and reduce or eliminate the effects of disability and develop independence. Recreation therapists utilize leisure activities to restore function.

(continued)

Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (continued)

• Education and credentials– Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation– Internship under a certified recreation specialist – National certification exam: Certified therapeutic

recreation specialists (CTRS) are credentialed by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)

• Employment opportunitiesLimited growth because of cuts in hospital settings

Strength and Conditioning Specialist• Maximizes physical performance, reduces the

frequency of injury, and decreases the possibility of cardiovascular disease by designing programs for the specific needs of the individual (sport and activity specific)

• Education and credentials– Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology preferred, required for some

certifications– Certifications recommended (such as National Strength and

Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist)

– Current CPR certification

• Employment opportunities

Careers in Therapeutic Exercise

• Fulfill a societal need• Assist in attaining desired levels of

fitness (habilitation) • Assist in regaining lost function

(rehabilitation) • Cover a wide range of populations

– Newborns to geriatrics– Athletes to unskilled performers