Mercyhealth’s clinical exercise physiologists are trained to use sports medicine and exercise as a means to prevent and treat chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. They also work in performance settings and help athletes excel in their performance through appropriate exercise training.

Exercise physiologists are bachelor’s or master’s educated and prepared, and may also be certified by the American College of Sports Medicine.

How exercise physiologists help individuals

Due to technological advancements and our fast-paced world, many people have become more sedentary. Exercise, although a buzzword in today’s society, wasn’t an issue when physical labor was part of our day-to-day routine. The constant availability of calorie-dense foods heightens our need for exercise.

Proper exercise—when done at the appropriate mode, frequency, duration and intensity—is an important component of both primary and secondary prevention of many diseases and relief from others.

Sports medicine can help:

• Neck/back pain
• Neuropathy
• Shoulder/elbow pain
• Carpel tunnel
• Auto injuries
• Sciatica
• Headaches
• Work injuries
• Post-surgical rehabilitation
• Vestibular and vertigo rehab
• Orthopedic/sports medicine
• Osteoporosis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Pre/post partum
• Oncology-based physical therapy
• Sport Specific Physical Therapy

As we are living longer and often with chronic diseases, exercise physiologists help us age more gracefully and improve our quality of life.