1. Chapter 14 Careers in Therapeutic Exercise
Chad Starkey
Chapter 14 Careers in Therapeutic Exercise

2. 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
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3. Figure 14.1
Chapter 14 - Hoffman (2005)

4. 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)
Chapter 14 - Hoffman (2005)

5. 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.
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6. 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
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7. Rehabilitative Therapeutic Exercise
Exercise therapy for the rehabilitation of
Musculoskeletal injuries
Athletic injuries
Postsurgical trauma
Older populations
Psychological disorders (mind–body relationship)
Cardiopulmonary system
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8. 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)
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9. 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.
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10. Therapeutic Exercise Settings
Inpatient facilities
Outpatient clinic settings
Sport team settings
Private practice
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11. 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.
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12. Athletic Trainer
Responsible for the prevention, evaluation, management, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries
Education and credentials
Certification through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE); clinical experience required
Employment opportunities
High schools, colleges and universities, and professional sport teams, hospitals, sports medicine clinics, industrial rehabilitation clinics, and other allied medical environments
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13. Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic disease care
Exercise testing and prescription
Program administration
(continued)
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14. 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

15. 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)
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16. 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

17. Physical Therapy Specialty Certifications
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18. 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
(continued)
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19. Physical Therapist (continued)
Employment settings
Geriatric care
Pediatric care
Sport physical therapy
Employment opportunities
Increased survival rates of accident victims along with increased support from employers indicates growth in job opportunities.
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20. 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)
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21. 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 opportunities
Limited growth because of cuts in hospital settings
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22. 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
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23. 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
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