Advisor Spotlight: Steven  N.  Blair, P.E.D., FACSM

Exercise is a major part of  leading a healthy life

By studying the science of human movement, exercise scientists help people
live healthier lives through exercise, rehabilitation and nutrition.

“Exercise science is a broad field, ranging from people who work in biology labs studying genes, molecules and body systems on up to psychologists who study how to get people to be more active,” said Steven Blair, professor of exercise science at Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, and newest ACLM advisory board member.

Blair, who holds a physical education doctorate from Indiana University, became interested in exercise science early in his career and has been in the field for more than 40 years.

 “At one time, I thought I wanted to be a coach,” said Blair, who was once a physical education instructor and athletic coach at Kansas Wesleyan University where he earned his bachelor’s degree. “When I got to graduate school, I discovered the excitement of research and stayed in this area.”

His other roles include: a post-doctoral scholar in preventive cardiology at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, Calif., 1978-1980; professor of public health, University of South Carolina, 1966-1984; adjunct professor of the College of Education, University of Houston, 1998-2007; visiting professor of the School of Public Health, University of North Texas, 2007; director of epidemiology and clinical applications and director of research, The Cooper Institute, 1980-2002; president and CEO for the Cooper Institute, and the Fred and Barbara Meyer chair in preventive medicine, 2002-2006; and an executive lecturer for the Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation at the University of North Texas, 2006-2008.  

Blair’s research interests include the associations between lifestyle and health, with a specific emphasis on exercise, physical fitness, body composition and chronic disease.

In his job, Blair conducts epidemiology studies and has been following a large group (n=80,000) for more than 30 years. He also conducts randomized trials to study adaptations to different amounts of exercise on health outcomes, and also trials on how to get sedentary people to become more active.

“Exercise is one of the fundamental building blocks of health, along with healthful eating, not smoking and managing stress,” he said. “Human beings are meant to move, and it’s very hazardous for us if we don’t move.”

Blair practices what he preaches, running every morning.

“There are many ways to go about it,” he said encouragingly. “There is no one right way except what works for you. For some, it might be a fitness center pass. For others, just to get up from their desk and walk around the building. Find what works for you and get up and move.”

According to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines, people need 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity exercise, Blair said.

“Or for those more energetic, 75 minutes of vigorous exercise,” he added. “Exercise is beneficial in controlling weight, but good for you even if you don’t lose weight. It reduces the risk of many diseases – diabetes, heart. It helps maintain function as you get older and is good for your brain. In addition, the Guidelines recommend two days a week of resistance training.”

The steps to a doctorate in exercise science can include undergraduate preparation in a variety of academic disciplines, including biology, chemistry, psychology or public health.

Listed on the Arnold School of Public Health Web site are career opportunities that exist in academic institutions, hospitals and other medical/clinical settings, research laboratories, public health agencies, health and fitness centers, and physical therapy and rehabilitation facilities.

“Narrow down what area you want to work in,” he advises those thinking of a career in exercise science. “You might want to become a physical trainer or an academic researcher. You can work in public health. And there are careers in organizations such as the National Cancer Institute. Be sure you like what you’re doing before you commit to it.”

Although research funds have dipped over the past few years, an academician can expect to enter the field as an assistant professor, earning between $60,000 and $80,000 for a nine-month term, Blair said.

“Health trainers can expect to take in between $30,000 to $60,000 a year,” he added.

A good first step to take is to get involved with professional science organizations, such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Blair said.

“They host a health and fitness summit each year for personal trainers and physical therapists, and a scientific session each year as well for people interested in an academic approach,” he said.

Clinicians in lifestyle medicine can review the Exercise is Medicine initiative that ACSM and the American Medical Association rolled out a couple of years ago, Blair  said. More information can be found at www.exerciseismedicine.org.

“It encourages clinicians to take a more active role in promoting exercise for their patients,” he said.

Blair stresses all physicians should view exercise as a vital sign.

“All primary care physicians and other health practitioners should view exercise as important as other established risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid profile, or elevated glucose,” he said. “Exercising affects conditions such as overall health; morbidity from CVD, breast and colon cancer, diabetes, senility; and functional status.”

Blair said physicians need to give more attention to prevention by lifestyle interventions, and exercise needs to be much more prominent.

For his own efforts, Blair has been recognized with honorary degrees, including: Doctor Honors Causa, Free University of Brussels, Belgium; Doctor of Health Science, Lander University, South Carolina; and Doctor of Science Honors Causa, University of Bristol, England. His long list of awards includes: American Heart Association Population Research Prize; MERIT Award from the National Institutes of Health; Robert Levy Lecture Award from the American Heart Association; Surgeon General’s Medallion; and Honor Award from the American College of Sports Medicine.

Blair’s certifications and honors include: fellow in the American Epidemiological Society, American Heart Association, American College of Sports Medicine, American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Society of Behavioral Medicine and North American Association for the Study of Obesity. In 1981, he was the first recipient of the South Carolina AAHPERD Scholar Award. He also was named Health Educator of the Year in 1982 by the South Carolina Association for Health Education, and earned numerous recognitions during his college career.

Blair holds memberships in the American College of Sports Medicine, councils on Epidemiology and Prevention and Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism for the American Heart Association; Society for Epidemiologic Research; American Public Health Association, American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education; Society for Clinical Trials; American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; Society for Behavioral Medicine; American College of Epidemiology; American Epidemiological Society; The Obesity Society; and ACLM.

Blair and his wife, Jane, a psychologist, have two grown children and two grandchildren, 5 and 2, whom he proudly calls “the smartest and cutest kids in North America and maybe beyond!”