I recently reviewed a report performed for the American College of Cardiology (ACC) titled Survey Report: Cardiac Rehab Industry Insights and Best Practices (1). Only a fraction of the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs in the United States were assessed (N = 72 of 800+ programs). The survey provided information on a wide array of topics including eligible patient participation, intensive versus traditional CR use (10% and 90%, respectively), the number sessions attended, maintenance program charges, “virtual” CR services (only 13% offering), other offerings (e.g., pulmonary, PAD, oncology), American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) program

ABSTRACT

Background:

The Clinical Exercise Physiology Association first conducted a clinical exercise physiology practice survey in 2010, with a goal to repeat it every 5 y. The purpose of this survey was to collect updated data on employment, including salary, scope of work, patient population, and job responsibilities among practicing clinical exercise physiologists (CEP).

Methods:

The 2020 survey was disseminated by email and through social media to attract a wide range of individuals who reported working as a CEP.

Results:

In total, data from 776 individuals who responded to the survey were analyzed, which is less participants than in the 2010 and 2015 surveys. The median salary was $56,251, $7,500 higher than that of 2015. Those with a master's degree and clinical certification had higher median salaries compared with those without certification. There was a difference in median salary by sex, with women earning $7,500 less than men did. When mean hourly salary was adjusted for years of experience and academic degree, the difference by sex remained.

Conclusion:

Median salary for CEPs surveyed increased between 2015 and 2020. Data revealed benefits from obtaining a clinical certification and an advanced degree for greater compensation. Data also show a discrepancy in salary based on sex. It is unclear how the ongoing coronavirus pandemic affected the current survey results.

ABSTRACT

Background:

To investigate the efficacy of targeted education on clinical decision-making in accredited exercise physiologists.

Methods:

Fifty accredited exercise physiologists undertook a 4-hour targeted education session aimed to demonstrate why the biopsychosocial model is better suited to the management of chronic low back pain than the biomedical model. The pain attitudes and beliefs scale for physiotherapists and patient vignettes were collected before and after the targeted education to observe changes in beliefs and clinical decision-making.

Results:

A significant reduction in biomedical beliefs (P < 0.01) with no concomitant change in biopsychosocial beliefs was observed following the targeted education. Clinical decision-making significantly altered on all 8 items associated with the patient vignettes following the targeted education.

Conclusion:

Following targeted education, a reduction in biomedical beliefs with no concomitant change to biopsychosocial beliefs significantly altered clinical decision-making. The findings of this study support existing literature and demonstrate changes in attitudes and beliefs following education impact clinical decision-making in accredited exercise physiologists. Education interventions should focus on informing practitioners of the benefits of the biopsychosocial model as compared to the biomedical model for management of chronic low back pain rather than simply teaching biopsychosocial theory and application.

ABSTRACT

Background:

Chronotropic response to exercise is a clinically important health indicator. Direct assessment of chronotropic response to exercise is problematic in many clinical settings because of lack of access to required exercise equipment. Also, abnormal chronotropic response to exercise is often asymptomatic, which hinders the ability to identify individuals who require exercise-based chronotropic response evaluation. The purpose of this study was to investigate a set of nonexercise, contemporary assessments as predictors of chronotropic response to exercise.

Methods:

This prospective, cross-sectional study investigated nonexercise predictors of chronotropic response to exercise. Forty participants (19 women, 21 men; mean age = 34.3 years, SD = 14.5) performed a graded exercise work rate protocol while heart rate was continuously monitored. Chronotropic response to exercise was recorded as the heart rate-work rate slope. Data on a variety of nonexercise measures were also collected.

Results:

Multivariable regression analysis indicated that sex, self-reported physical activity, body mass index, waist circumference, and isometric grip strength were independent predictors of chronotropic response to exercise and, as a subset, resulted in the strongest prediction model (R = 0.80, R² = 0.64, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The results of this study suggest that a group of nonexercise measurements are predictive of chronotropic response to exercise. These findings provide a basis for future research to determine if these nonexercise predictors can be used to screen for chronotropic response to exercise abnormalities. Also, exercise interventions that target physical activity, body composition, and muscle strength may improve chronotropic response to exercise.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Arterial Health in Adults With Down Syndrome

Brantley K. BallengerPhD, ACSM-CEP,

Stanley P. BrownPhD,

Bo FernhallPhD,

Robert W. MotlPhD, and

Stamatis AgiovlasitisPhD, ACSM-CEP

From the Editor

CEPA 2020 Clinical Exercise Physiology Practice Survey

ABSTRACT

Background:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

Education Improves Decision-Making of Exercise Physiologists Regarding Low Back Pain

ABSTRACT

Background:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

Nonexercise Measurements as Predictors of Chronotropic Response to Exercise

ABSTRACT

Background:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

A Primer on Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: Part II

ABSTRACT

Case Analysis of Sprint Interval Training for Adolescents With Severe Mental Illness

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Arterial Health in Adults With Down Syndrome

Health Care Professionals’ Promotion of Exercise Referral Schemes in New South Wales

Enrolling Patients With Claudication into Supervised Exercise Therapy: A Single-Center Experience

Farewell, but Not Goodbye

Feasibility of Noninvasive Diastolic Stress Testing in the 10- to 21-Year-Old Age Group