Aerobic exercise, pilates, resistance training, and cycling — all of these are everyday examples of exercise physiology. This scientific field studies the human body’s physical response to movement. You might be wondering, why is exercise physiology important? For many reasons, this field of study is vital in promoting healthier humans. Broadly speaking, the study of exercise helps professionals better understand how all sorts of physical activity impact and improve the human body.
Why Is Exercise Physiology Important?
Many reasons and benefits illustrate why exercise physiology is important. Primarily, it can help anyone — from professional athletes to the average fitness enthusiast — improve their physical well-being and prevent injuries. Exercise physiology can also help prevent and address chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, which affect a large section of the population. A better understanding of the field also leads to advancements in public health, which benefits everyone.
Chronic Diseases & Cardiovascular Disease
A chronic disease can be defined as a condition that: requires ongoing medical care, lasts longer than a year, and/or limits someone’s daily activities. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is a chronic disease that’s also the leading cause of death in the United States. Helping to manage chronic diseases is a prime example of why exercise physiology is important.
Exercise physiology is a great companion to chronic disease management because it can improve a patient’s well-being, both physical and mental. Studies have proven exercise’s positive impact on health, such as regulating blood sugar, improving cardiovascular performance, enhancing lung function, pain management and much more.
The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week to prevent cardiovascular disease. A trained exercise physiologist can identify and assess a patient’s risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and can in turn create an exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustment regimen that aligns with the patient’s level of ability.
Physical Activity & Human Movement
If you think exercising is as simple as getting up and going for a walk, you may be asking yourself why is exercise physiology important? However, this field is more than showing people how to get moving. Instead, it takes the whole patient into consideration — bringing a deep understanding of the different types of health conditions, circumstances, and abilities that prevent people from getting and staying active.
Getting physically active often can keep the body in top form, and also has positive impacts on mood and wellbeing. Regular physical activity can help with weight management, improve brain function, strengthen bones and muscles, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Regularly staying active can also improve mental health by releasing endorphins, the mood-boosting hormones released by the brain.
Exercise Programs & Regular Exercise
One reason why exercise physiology is important is the ability to create regimens and routines for patients. The goal is to improve overall health, and reduce the effects of chronic disease, and to do that physiologists typically analyze a client’s medical history and risk level. After gaining a solid understanding of the person’s baseline health, physiologists can then create a plan to address chronic or concerning conditions.
When it comes to exercise, there is a wide range of options that can help people improve their wellbeing. Many of the most common can be done without any special equipment, and include walking, jogging, squats, or push-ups. A trained professional can help someone with chronic disease or physical limitations find a program that works best.
Regular exercise has tangible physical and mental health benefits. Making it part of the daily routine can lead to a wide range of improved outcomes, like weight loss, stress reduction, better sleep, reduced risk of injury from a fall, improved blood pressure, and the ability to manage or prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis and some types of cancers.
Exercise Testing & Human Health
The exercise stress test is a common component of exercise physiology and provides a way for professionals to understand heart function. The test shows if, while exercising, blood supply is reduced in the arteries that supply the heart. This test helps physiologists prescribe exercise regimens that are properly suited to the patient’s physical abilities.
A patient is connected to a heart monitor and is then instructed to either walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike. Bit by bit, the speed of the treadmill or resistance on the bicycle is increased so the heart rate also increases. The test lasts about 10 to 15 minutes and afterward, the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing are monitored, and an electrocardiogram may also be used as part of the test.
The Link Between Physical Fitness and Improved Human Health
There are numerous studies that prove that the more physically active someone is, the better their health, underscoring why exercise physiology is important. Although regular exercise cannot completely cure chronic diseases, it can contribute to overall improved health and cognitive ability.
Exercise physiology isn’t just for people who are new to physical activity; it’s also useful for athletes who want to operate at peak performance. Physiologists can create programs with strength training and conditioning in mind, and can also provide recommendations for injured athletes to recover faster. With so many overlapping goals and approaches, the study of exercise is a natural supplement to sports nutrition.
Pursue a Degree in Exercise Physiology
Earning a degree in exercise physiology can open many career pathways. The demand for exercise physiologists is expected to grow 10 percent by 2032, which is much faster than average for all occupations. After earning a bachelor’s degree, students can start working with clients, or use the degree as a launchpad to obtain graduate-level degrees in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, or occupational therapy, to name just a few options. Earning an MS in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Tiffin University is an excellent way to build knowledge and expertise that leads others to healthier, more active lives. Flexible learning options, plentiful financial assistance opportunities, and a graduation-focused curriculum amount to an institution that’s invested in your success. Learn more about our program and how it can help you reach your goals!