Exercise Physiologists Prescribe Movement as Medicine

When Jessica McElroy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, she started attending Rock Steady Boxing at LVHN Fitness, a science-based, noncontact boxing program specifically created for people with the condition. Now, her balance, gait, stamina, and flexibility have improved. She gets through her days – shopping, cleaning, and gardening – with ease. 

“It wasn’t easy to learn the boxing moves and class routines,” McElroy says, “but with the help and encouragement of the amazing exercise physiologists, I felt supported and cared for in every way. They provide fun and challenging routines that improved the way I function and my quality of life.”  

Jefferson Health’s Rock Steady Boxing program – which is available at LVHN Fitness and Honickman Center – has been helping people living with Parkinson’s disease slow the progression of the condition and improve motor skills since 2023.

At Jefferson Health, clinical exercise physiologists assess and treat people with a wide range of chronic and age-related health conditions. They work side by side with physicians and registered nurses, managing cancer-related conditions, heart disease, pulmonary conditions, chronic pain, obesity, and other complex health problems. They design and implement individualized, evidence-based exercise programs to support rehabilitation and improve physical function after surgery or an acute event. 

“Exercise physiologists are uniquely qualified to use exercise and design exercise programs to address lifestyle change for patients,” says Tara Encarnacion, Clinical Manager, Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. “While we work closely with clinicians who have an understanding of exercise, we have been trained to know exactly how the body responds to specific movements and how helpful it is in recovery.” 

Clinical exercise physiologists at Jefferson Health hold a master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology and are certified by the American College of Sports Medicine or the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. They deliver comprehensive care in three key areas:

• Fitness and exercise 
• Diagnostic services
• Therapeutic care (e.g., cardiac and pulmonary rehab)

World Clinical Exercise Physiology Day, Sept. 23, is the perfect time to raise awareness and appreciation for the contributions exercise physiologists make to the health and well-being of our patients. 

Following aortic valve replacement surgery, 28-year-old Emily, a physically active person, was in our cardiac rehabilitation program. Exercise physiologists Andrew Scocozza and Navreen Kaur helped Emily return to her passion: running. After Emily graduated from the program, she successfully completed a 5K. 

Patients see exercise physiologists after open-heart and valve replacement surgeries. Patients who have heart failure or received a stent also benefit. “Sometimes patients are afraid to start physical activity after going through a major cardiac event,” he says. “We help them overcome that fear by designing a program they can follow without being scared about having another life-threatening complication.” 

Scocozza was born with a congenital heart defect and can relate to patients with a cardiac condition. “People in this field truly believe exercise is the best form of medicine,” he says. “I relate that to all the patients we see.” 

In addition to Rock Steady Boxing, LVHN Fitness offers a variety of clinical wellness programs supervised by our exercise physiologists. Classes include Cardiac and Pulmonary Fitness, Weight Management programs, BuMP Perinatal Yoga, Get Up and Go for movement disorders, NExT (Neuro Exercise Training), Be Balanced, and Pedaling for Parkinson's. 

While LVHN Fitness is a facility open to the public, it also is a place where people can continue their care. “When people keep working on their health and wellness after they are discharged from the hospital or complete rehab, they stay healthy and out of the hospital,” says Brielle Gregoli, Director, Fitness Services, LVHN Fitness. “While you can exercise now to prevent illness, you also can overcome illness by remaining active and working with professionals who can address your specific and changing needs.”