Exercise physiology involves the prescription of tailored exercise programs to help manage an array of injuries and health conditions. Exercise physiologists (EPs) are allied health professionals who have completed at least 4 years of university education and are accredited by Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA).
Exercise physiology services can be accessed directly and rebates are available from most health funds. Your GP may also refer you to us for exercise physiology, usually as part of an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan, which may subsidise part of the treatment cost.
What does an Exercise Physiologist do?
Your exercise physiologist will work with you to develop a custom exercise regime. The nature of the program will depend entirely on your personal circumstances – your health status, exercise experience, preferences, limitations, access to equipment, and goals.
An exercise program might involve:
- Resistance exercises with bands or weights for building muscle mass or bone density.
- Cardiovascular training (e.g., swimming, cycling, walking, running) for improving heart/blood vessel health.
- Stretching or flexibility exercises for enhancing joint mobility.
- Balance exercises for improving performance or preventing falls.
- Functional exercises (e.g., squatting, lunging, stair climbing, etc.) for achieving other specific goals.
Importantly, there is no one-size-fits-all solutions. Your exercise physiologist will tailor everything to you.
Exercise Physiology for Medical Conditions
Exercise physiologists are highly trained in human physiology and possess a thorough understanding of the metabolic changes associated with various medical conditions. It is increasingly common to be referred to an exercise physiologist for management of the following chronic conditions:
- Osteoporosis.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Heart disease.
- Peripheral vascular disease.
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Obesity.
- Multiple Sclerosis.
- Parkinson’s Disease.
- Cancer.
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
And many others!
Exercise Physiology for Musculoskeletal Injuries
Exercise physiologists often play a key role in rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and are particularly well-placed to manage long-term, chronic or recurring injuries, where ‘hands-on’ therapies like soft tissue massage and joint mobilisation are less likely to be effective.
To assist with musculoskeletal issues, an exercise physiologist will devise a structured rehabilitation program to help regain lost strength, mobility and function. Importantly, exercise physiologists are also especially skilled at breaking down movement patterns and correcting technique to stop unhelpful habits, which can perpetuate pain and discomfort.
How do I start with an Exercise Physiologist?
To schedule an exercise physiology assessment, please call your nearest clinic.