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In terms of job duties and companies to work with, what are the differences between exercise physiologists and strength and conditioning coaches?
I've volunteered at #personaltraining gyms and #soccer teams as a coach in the past and really liked it. The clinical and scientific career aspects of #exercisephysiology also really interest me.
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Rodney’s Answer
Exercise Physiologists look at the human body's functions and assesses that functionality in order to prescribe an exercise program to best accomplish that person's goals.
Strength and Conditioning coaches take this concept and apply it to mostly sport demographics and sport-centered goals. S&C coaches can be Exercise Physiologists, but not all S&C coaches can be Exercise Physiologists. Let me explain.
Exercise Physiologists can be seen in the settings of human performance, but also on the other end of the spectrum - rehabilitation. Because of their knowledge of assessment of the physiological functions of the body, such as cardiac and pulmonary functions, they can use their knowledge along with exercise prescriptions to prescribe exercise to those with chronic diseases. For example, exercise physiologists can be found in hospitals making exercise programs for post-cardiac surgery patients. This can either be Phase 1 (days after surger) or Phase 2 (weeks out).
The main difference is S&C serves for performance. Exercise Physiologists serve for the whole spectrum from rehabilitation to performance.
Strength and Conditioning coaches take this concept and apply it to mostly sport demographics and sport-centered goals. S&C coaches can be Exercise Physiologists, but not all S&C coaches can be Exercise Physiologists. Let me explain.
Exercise Physiologists can be seen in the settings of human performance, but also on the other end of the spectrum - rehabilitation. Because of their knowledge of assessment of the physiological functions of the body, such as cardiac and pulmonary functions, they can use their knowledge along with exercise prescriptions to prescribe exercise to those with chronic diseases. For example, exercise physiologists can be found in hospitals making exercise programs for post-cardiac surgery patients. This can either be Phase 1 (days after surger) or Phase 2 (weeks out).
The main difference is S&C serves for performance. Exercise Physiologists serve for the whole spectrum from rehabilitation to performance.
Your answer makes the difference a lot clearer for me. Thanks for taking the time to write it!
Eduardo
Updated
Taylor’s Answer
Rodney posted some GREAT information.
I'd like to add my perspective as both a certified exercise physiologist and strength and conditioning coach. Exercise physiologist careers in the performance section are rare and competitive. If you searched exercise physiologist on indeed.com or some other job site, you'll find most of the available jobs are in a clinical setting and the ones that are not are in high performance environments requiring at least 3-5 years of experience.
My undergrad was Exphys and graduate degree was ExSci with a strength and conditioning concentration. This type of focus has allowed me to serve in roles for the military and fire department as a civilian where I'm able to utilize both the evidence-based science and practical application.
Good luck in future endeavors!
I'd like to add my perspective as both a certified exercise physiologist and strength and conditioning coach. Exercise physiologist careers in the performance section are rare and competitive. If you searched exercise physiologist on indeed.com or some other job site, you'll find most of the available jobs are in a clinical setting and the ones that are not are in high performance environments requiring at least 3-5 years of experience.
My undergrad was Exphys and graduate degree was ExSci with a strength and conditioning concentration. This type of focus has allowed me to serve in roles for the military and fire department as a civilian where I'm able to utilize both the evidence-based science and practical application.
Good luck in future endeavors!
Thank you! I really appreciate your answer.
Eduardo