Clinical Exercise Physiologist | Exercise and Sport Sciences Professional
Registered Professional in Spain — Membership No. 72683

Professional Profile

Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Exercise and Sport Sciences Professional with more than 30 years of experience applying evidence-based exercise and nutrition strategies to improve health, physical function, and quality of life.

Specializes in designing and implementing individualized exercise programs for people with stable chronic health conditions, individuals who have completed medical or physical rehabilitation, and clients returning to physical activity or sports following injury.

His work focuses on clinical exercise programming, post-rehabilitation conditioning, injury reconditioning, functional recovery, and exercise-based interventions within health, community care, and multidisciplinary settings.

Education and Advanced Training

Ph.D. in Kinesiology, specialization in Clinical Exercise Physiology
Master’s Degree in Strength and Conditioning and Sports Performance
Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences
Advanced Technical Degree in Dietetics

His academic and professional training also includes studies in kinesiology with a specialization in exercise physiology; graduate and doctoral education in clinical exercise physiology; postgraduate training in physical therapy–related sciences, sports rehabilitation, and injury reconditioning; and postdoctoral training in clinical neuroscience and motor control.

International and Professional Experience

For seven years, Ricardo was a member of the Applied Physiology & Kinesiology Research Institute in Los Angeles, California.

He has also completed professional, academic, and teaching experiences in the United States, France, Israel, Japan, and Switzerland.

In addition to his clinical exercise background, he has extensive experience in:

Sports program and project management
Physical education instruction
Strength and conditioning
Athletic development
Advanced sports skills training
Professional education and instructor development

Additional Interests

An experienced mountaineer, technical diver, and martial arts instructor, Ricardo brings a lifelong commitment to physical performance, movement education, and the practical application of exercise science.

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 and Sport Performance.

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 .

Postgraduate Diploma "Expert" in:

Respiratory and Cardiac Physiotherapy .
Physiotherapy Applied to Chronic Patients and People with Disabilities.
Physiotherapy in Oncology.
Sports Physiotherapy.
Sports Rehabilitation.
Geriatric Rehabilitation.

MEDAC

Higher Technician in Dietetics.

SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Clinical Exercise Physiology

Exercise Physiologist / Clinical Exercise Physiologist — American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Basic and Advanced Electrocardiogram Interpretation — Institute of Kinesiology of California–APK.
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Certification — Institute of Kinesiology of California–APK.
Hematology Blood Test Interpretation — HemoAnalytics Training Center.
Clinical Pharmacology for Rehabilitation and Exercise Professionals — Institute of Kinesiology of California–APK.
Cancer Biology Specialization — The Johns Hopkins University.
Clinical Management and Rehabilitation of Adults with Neurological Conditions — Institute of Kinesiology of California–APK.
Neuroscience and Neuroimaging — The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School.

Post-Rehabilitation and Return-to-Sport Conditioning

Rehabilitation of Common Musculoskeletal Conditions in Adults — Institute of Kinesiology of California–APK.
Return-to-Sport Rehabilitation — Universidad Internacional Isabel I de Castilla.
Sports Physical Therapy — Universidad Internacional Isabel I de Castilla.
Physical Therapy for Patients with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities — Universidad Internacional Isabel I de Castilla.

Exercise for Older Adults

Exercise and Mobility Training for Older Adults: Fall-Prevention Strategies — Institute of Kinesiology of California–APK.
Geriatric Rehabilitation — Universidad Internacional Isabel I de Castilla.
Physical Activity Instructor for Older Adults — Municipal Sports Department, Zaragoza City Council.
Physical Activity Instructor for Adults — Municipal Sports Department, Zaragoza City Council.

Strength and Conditioning

Personal Trainer — American Fitness Association (AFA).
Personal Trainer — National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Strength and Conditioning Specialist — National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Mat and Studio Pilates Instructor — The Pilates Florida Studio.
Suspension Training Instructor — TRX Training.
Vibration Training Platform Instructor — Power Plate.
Core Training Program Instructor — American Fitness Association.
Multipurpose Fitness Facility Instructor — INOEP Institute of Education.
Advanced Personal Training Course — INOEP Institute of Education.
Functional Training with Sports Equipment — INOEP Institute of Education.
Advanced Development of Sport-Specific Physical Abilities — MK Sports 360.
Regional-Level Strength and Sport-Specific Resistance Training Coach — Spanish Weightlifting Federation.

First Aid and Life Support

Nursing Assistant / Emergency and Urgent Care — Universidad Antonio de Nebrija.
First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) — American Heart Association.
First Aid, Aquatic Rescue, and Sports Safety Responder — Spanish Red Cross.
Advanced Aquatic Rescue Technician — Spanish Lifesaving and Rescue Federation.
Basic Life Support (BLS) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Instructor — Rapid Sport Institute.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid — Daroca Health Center.
First Aid and Basic Life Support Refresher Course — MAZ Hospital, Zaragoza Workers’ Compensation Mutual.
Sports Medicine Conference Program — La Salle University Residence.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2005–Present:

Exercise and Sport Science Professional · Clinical Exercise Physiologist

Design and implementation of individualized exercise programs for people with stable chronic conditions, individuals who have completed a rehabilitation program, and those who need to restore their functional capacity or return safely to physical activity following an injury.

Primary Areas of Practice

Clinically stable cardiovascular conditions.
Metabolic and cardiometabolic disorders.
Stable respiratory conditions.
Neurological conditions.
Musculoskeletal conditions and functional limitations.
Cancer during phases compatible with exercise and following completion of treatment.
Restoration of physical conditioning after rehabilitation.
Injury reconditioning and return-to-activity programming.
Exercise programs for older adults.
Progressive return to physical activity or sports participation.

Primary Responsibilities

Initial preparticipation screening and health history review.
Review of medical and clinical information provided by the client.
Assessment of strength, mobility, balance, endurance, and functional capacity.
Identification of needs, limitations, precautions, and goals.
Individualized exercise program design.
Exercise prescription, workload management, and progressive loading.
Monitoring of physiological and symptomatic responses to exertion.
Tracking of symptoms, adherence, progress, and outcomes.
Periodic reassessment.
Ongoing program modification.
Coordination with healthcare professionals when necessary.
In-person services in Zaragoza, Spain, and online follow-up services.

The objective is to progressively and sustainably improve physical conditioning, independence, and functional capacity while facilitating a safe return to activities of daily living, physical activity, or sports participation.

2005–Present:

Director, Exercise and Health Unit — Rapid Sport

Direct the design, planning, implementation, and coordination of exercise and health programs for public- and private-sector organizations.

Primary Responsibilities

Assessment of the needs of individuals, population groups, and organizations.
Technical design of exercise programs.
Development of screening, assessment, monitoring, and follow-up procedures.
Planning of resources, activities, and intervention criteria.
Development of exercise programs for people with stable chronic conditions.
Design of continuity programs following completion of rehabilitation.
Development of physical reconditioning and return-to-sport programs.
Creation of programs for older adults, active aging, and frailty prevention.
Training, supervision, and coordination of instructors and exercise professionals.
Coordination with healthcare professionals and partner organizations.
Program evaluation, outcome assessment, and continuous improvement.
Preparation of proposals for clinics, businesses, government agencies, social-service organizations, and sports organizations.

The Exercise and Health Unit combines specialized expertise in exercise and health, project management, and interdisciplinary coordination.

1985–2005:

Physical Education, Athlete Development, and Sports Program Management — Educational and Sports Organizations in Zaragoza and Huesca, Spain

Early professional experience as a strength and conditioning coach, physical education instructor, sports instructor, lifeguard, activity coordinator, and sports services manager.

Worked in schools, sports centers, swimming pools, and other athletic facilities, performing responsibilities that included:

Teaching physical education and sport and fitness activities.
Physical conditioning for individuals with health conditions, civil service applicants, and athletes.
Planning exercise programs, training sessions, and sports activities.
Coordinating groups, instructors, and activities.
Organizing and managing sports services.
Managing sports divisions, programs, and operational activities.
Working with participants of different ages, ability levels, and levels of athletic experience.

This stage provided the foundation for my subsequent work in sports management, program planning, and the application of exercise to health and functional improvement.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2013–Present: Exercise and Health Instructor — INOEP Institute of Education

Teach exercise programming and return-to-physical-activity and return-to-sport courses for professionals and students in exercise and sports-related fields.

Primary Teaching Areas

Exercise programming for individuals with stable chronic diseases and medical conditions.
Post-rehabilitation programs and return to physical activity.
Musculoskeletal injury reconditioning.
Exercise for older adults and individuals with neurological conditions.
Anatomy and exercise physiology.
Training program design and strength and conditioning.
First aid and initial emergency response.

Also provide academic mentoring, learning-plan development, study-method guidance, and methodological preparation for students and candidates preparing for competitive civil service examinations.

2005–2012: Postdoctoral Researcher and Instructor — Applied Physiology & Kinesiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, California

Conducted teaching, applied training, and research-related activities in exercise physiology, functional assessment, sports performance evaluation, and physical capacity testing.

Primary Areas of Work

Body composition assessment using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), Bod Pod air-displacement plethysmography, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Exercise testing and assessment of maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak), and ventilatory and metabolic thresholds.
Evaluation of anaerobic power and capacity using the Wingate test, PowerCrank cycling protocols, and other performance tests.
Analysis of cardiovascular responses to exercise through heart rate, blood pressure, and post-exercise recovery measurements.
Basic electrocardiogram (ECG) recording and interpretation at rest and during exercise.
Assessment of cardiometabolic markers, including blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lipid profiles.
Integration of assessment findings to design and modify exercise programs for athletes and individuals with stable chronic conditions.

CV SPANISH