Ricardo Sanz Orús

Ricardo Sanz Orús (Zaragoza, 1968) has been an Exercise Physiologist since 1993.

He holds a degree (B.S.) in Kinesiology with a specialization in Exercise Physiology. He completed his Master’s (M.S.) and Doctorate (Ph.D.) at the Institute of Kinesiology of California, in the College of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (California University), where he also carried out postdoctoral studies in Clinical Neuroscience and Motor Control. He is also graduating in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences from the Universidad Isabel I de Castilla, with a Master's in Physical and Sports Training, and has completed various postgraduate courses in physiotherapy and physical rehabilitation at this university. For seven years, he was a member of the Applied Physiology & Kinesiology Research Institute in Los Angeles, and has completed training and teaching stays in the United States, France, Israel, Japan, and Switzerland.

With more than 25 years of experience in the field of physical exercise applied to health, he combines solid academic training with extensive clinical and sports experience. He specializes in prescribing exercise as a therapeutic tool for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of chronic diseases and comorbidities, as well as in post-injury physical-sports rehabilitation. His professional work focuses on the design and implementation of individualized exercise programs aimed at individuals with diseases, special populations (children, pregnant women, the elderly), and athletes in recovery phases. These post-rehabilitation programs integrate functional re-education, improvement of physical condition, and sustainable health strategies based on scientific evidence.

In addition to his professional activity, he is a passionate practitioner of mountaineering, diving, and martial arts. On his blog and professional networks, he shares resources, articles, and reflections on these sports practices, the physiological effects of exercise as a therapeutic resource, its clinical application, and its impact on improving health and quality of life.

Academic Education

University of California

Institute of Kinesiology of California, College of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology.

• Postdoctoral training program - Clinical Neuroscience and Motor Control.
• Doctor of Philosophy - PhD in Kinesiology: Clinical Exercise Physiology.
• Master of Science - MS in Kinesiology: Clinical Exercise Physiology.
• Bachelor of Science - BSc (Hon) in Kinesiology: Exercise Physiology.

International University of Isabel I

Faculty of Health Sciences.

• Graduate in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences: Physical Activity and Health.
• Master's in Physical and Sports Training (60 ECTS).
• Postgraduate Diploma "Expert" in:
• Respiratory and Cardiac Physiotherapy (20 ECTS).
• Physiotherapy Applied to Chronic Patients and People with Disabilities (20 ECTS).
• Physiotherapy in Oncology (20 ECTS).
• Sports Physiotherapy (20 ECTS).
• Sports Rehabilitation (20 ECTS).
• Geriatric Rehabilitation (20 ECTS).

Total: 120 ECTS.

• Master in Business Administration - MBA Sport Management (60 ECTS). California School of Business and Management, United States. Professional Certificate Level III: Commerce and Marketing - Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, and Sports, Spain (60 ECTS).

University of Zaragoza

Faculty of Education - Physical Education

• PAU / Specialist Teacher in Physical Education.
• Master's in Clinical Psychopedagogy (60 ECTS).
• DECA / Catholic Religion Teacher (24 ECTS).
• Director of Safety (20 ECTS).

MEDAC

• Higher Technician in Dietetics - pending FCT (120 ECTS).

Cardenal Xavierre School - O.P. Dominicans

• EGB / BUP

Supplementary Education:

Exercise Physiology

• Exercise Physiologist / Clinical Exercise Physiologist – American College of Sports Medicine, ACSM (6 months).
• Electrocardiogram Interpretation – Basic/Advanced Course – American Heart Association (25 hours).
• Certification in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation – American Heart Association (60 hours).
• Cancer Biology – Specialized Program in Cancer Biology – The Johns Hopkins University (25 hours).
• Certification in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (CCRP) – California Society for Cardiac Rehabilitation (600 hours).

Personal Training

• Personal Trainer – American Fitness Association, AFA (180 hours).
• Personal Trainer – National Strength and Conditioning Association, NSCA (6 ECTS).
• Strength and Conditioning Specialist – National Strength and Conditioning Association, NSCA (6 ECTS).
• Pilates Mat and Studio Instructor – The Pilates Florida Studio (600 hours).
• Suspension Exercise Instructor – TRX Training (28 hours).
• Vibration Training Platform Instructor – Power Plate (30 hours).
• Core Training Program Instructor – American Fitness Association (15 hours).
• Multi-purpose Room Physical Conditioning Instructor – Rapid Sport Institute (200 hours).
• Advanced Personal Training Course – Rapid Sport Institute (250 hours).
• Functional Training with Sports Equipment Course – Rapid Sport Institute (180 hours).
• High-Level Development of Physical Qualities for Sports Course – MK Sports 360 (100 hours).

Sports Specialization

• High Mountain Guide – IFMGA, International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (120 days of specialized training).

  Rock Climbing Training (20 days).

- Summer Terrain Training (23 days).
- Winter Terrain Training (28 days).
- Avalanche Training (3 days).
- Backcountry Skiing Training (25 days).
- Complementary Theoretical Training (20 days).

• Technical Trimix Diving Instructor – PADI, Professional Association of Diving Instructors. (300 hours).
• Master, 8th dan, Nihon Jujutsu - Taijutsu; master, 7th dan, Yoseikan Aiki; and master, 7th dan, Nihon Kobudo – Spanish Federation - Madrid Wrestling / International Seibukan Budo Federation [SBIF].
• Physical Preparation Technician – Aragón Federation of Nihon Taijutsu / Jujutsu (190 hours).
• Sports Technician Level 1 – Department of Education, Culture, and Sports of the Government of Aragón (60 hours).
• Regional Strength and Weightlifting Coach Applied to Sports – Spanish Weightlifting Federation (80 hours).
• Swimming Instructor – Spanish Swimming Federation (215 hours).
• Early Childhood Activities Monitor - Babies – Pedro Franco Swimming School (100 hours).
• Futsal Instructor – Spanish Futsal Federation (65 hours).
• Volleyball Instructor – Spanish Volleyball Federation (65 hours).
• Tennis Instructor – California Tennis School (85 hours).
• Instructor of Traditional Aragonese Sports – Aragon Federation of Traditional Aragonese Sports (40 hours).
• Physical Activity Monitor for Adults – Municipal Sports Service, Zaragoza City Council (24 hours).
• Physical Activity Monitor for the Elderly – Municipal Sports Service, Zaragoza City Council (24 hours).
• Nordic Walking Instructor – Miami Nordic Walking Association (40 hours).
• Aerobics & Steps Instructor – MK Sports 360 (100 hours).
• Aquatic Fitness Instructor – MK Sports 360 (100 hours).
• Indoor Cycling Instructor – MK Sports 360 (50 hours).
• Technical Days on Strength and Nutrition in Sports – Municipal Sports Service, Zaragoza City Council (16 hours).

First Aid, Lifeguarding, and Rescue

• First Aid, CPR, Basic Life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Courses – American Heart Association (225 hours).
• Lifeguard in First Aid, Aquatic and Sports Lifeguarding – Spanish Red Cross (155 hours).
• Senior Technician in Aquatic Rescue – Spanish Federation of Lifesaving and Rescue (120 hours).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Instructor – Rapid Sport Institute (30 hours).
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid Course – Daroca Health Center (20 hours).
• First Aid and Basic Life Support Update Course – MAZ Hospital, Zaragoza (4 hours).
• Sports Medicine Days – CMU La Salle (35 hours).

Other

• Private Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Instrument Rating (IR), Multi-Engine Rating (MEP), Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC), Jet Aircraft (JET), and Airline Transport Pilot License (ATP) courses. California Flight Training Center (2000 hours).
• Trainer of Trainers – FORCEM (16 hours).
• Accredited Teacher for delivering Professional Modules in Physical Preparation, First Aid, Self-defense, Safety and Protection in Private Security Training Courses – Ministry of the Interior.
• President of the International Seibukan Budo Federation [SBIF] from 2023 to present.
• Passionate practitioner of mountaineering, diving, and martial arts for 40 years.

Work Experience

2005 - present:

• Exercise Physiologist – Physical Trainer.
• CEO of Rapid Sport.

1985 - 2005: Exercise Physiologist, Physical Trainer, Lifeguard, Sports Monitor (mountaineering, diving, swimming, and martial arts) in various sports centers and pools in Zaragoza and Huesca.

• Exercise Physiologist – Physical Trainer with patients suffering from chronic cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, neurological, or musculoskeletal diseases.
• Physical Trainer for the entrance exams for Private Security, State Security Forces (CNP, Guardia Civil, and Zaragoza Local Police), Army (AGM, ABS, and internal promotion), Firefighters of Zaragoza and Madrid, TAFAD / INEF, and Forestry.
• Mountain Sports Monitor at OSO: Outdoor Sports and Expeditions. Mountain guide leading ascents to Mount Elbert, Mount Evans, Mont Blanc, Dom, Weisshorn, Aconcagua, Huascarán, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Elbrus, McKinley, Denali Park, Mount Vinson, Mount Kenya, Mount Meru, Ararat, and Toubkal, among others. Mountain guide in the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, Huesca (Spain) in Tozal: Hiking and Trekking.
• Scuba Diving Sports Monitor at Aqua Sport conducting "baptisms" and beginner courses. Expert diver in Gran Canaria, Costa Brava, Columbretes, Mombasa, Okinawa, Yonaguni, Nassau, Gansbaai, Miami, Seychelles, Cuba, Punta Cana, Ko Tao, Sharm el Sheikh, and Tulum. Over 1350 logged dives, including 150 decompression dives deeper than 40 meters, of which 43 are deep dives over 40 meters using trimix, and 20 dives deeper than 50 meters using trimix with less than 21% oxygen.
• Nihon Jujutsu – Taijutsu Sports Monitor at the Kodenkan Budo martial arts school (Seibukan Budo - International Seibukan Budo Federation [SBIF] currently). Founded in 1987, it aims to promote and preserve traditional Japanese martial arts.
• Lifeguard and Swimming Sports Monitor at Aqua Sport for 14 summer seasons in various pools in Broto (Huesca) and Zaragoza.
• Physical Education Teacher in several private and semi-private schools in Zaragoza.
• Teaching Intern in Physical Education and Didactics at Nstra. Sra. del Carmen School in Zaragoza and at the Educational Innovation Center of Teruel (CRIET Alcorisa).
• Exercise Physiologist Intern specializing in Exercise Physiology and Clinical Exercise at APK, Applied Physiology & Kinesiology Research Institute and General Medical Center of Los Angeles, USA.
• Military Instructor, IV Physical Education Group. General Military Academy, Zaragoza.

Teaching Activity

Rapid Sport Institute (2005 – 2021)

• Instructor in athletic performance enhancement programs: Teaching functional assessment and stress testing, injury prevention, biomechanics, and advanced physical training to improve competitive performance. Courses and seminars adapted to various skill levels and sports disciplines.

• Instructor in physical re-education and motor performance improvement: Training for individuals with medical conditions and/or athletes, older adults, and people with neurological disorders. Programs include post-rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and complex motor skill training, delivered through various courses and seminars.

• Instructor in pedagogy and learning evaluation: Teaching learning process assessment, intervention in learning disorders, and development of cognitive and socio-emotional skills to students in engineering, and medicine (Zaragoza University).

• Instructor in sports specialization courses: Teaching subjects such as Human Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, High Performance, and First Aid in mountaineering, diving, and martial arts programs across multiple sports federations and clubs.

• Instructor in professional training modules: Delivering modules in First Aid, Physical Conditioning, Self-Defense, and Security & Protection in Private Security courses at various accredited centers and training institutions ( Homeland Security and DIDS - Defespol Academy).

APK | Applied Physiology & Kinesiology (2005 - 2012)

• Postdoctoral Researcher - Clinical Exercise Physiology - and Professor of courses on Body Composition (BIA, BodPod, DEXA Scan), Stress Tests (lactate, VO2max thresholds, Wingate, Power Crank Cycling Training, etc.), and Health Tests (ECG, BIA, blood pressure, HbA1c, cholesterol, diabetes, etc.) at the Applied Physiology & Kinesiology Research Institute in Los Angeles, USA.

CV SPANISH