Exercise Physiology

What is an Exercise Physiologist?

Accredited exercise physiologists specialise in clinical exercise interventions for people with a broad range of health issues. Those people may be at risk of developing, or have existing, medical conditions and injuries. The aims of exercise physiology interventions are to prevent or manage acute, sub- acute or chronic disease or injury, and assist in restoring one’s optimal physical function, health, or wellness. These interventions are exercise-based and include health and physical activity education, advice and support and lifestyle modification with a strong focus on achieving behavioural change.

 

Why see an Exercise Physiologist?

There are a wide range of reasons why a person may benefit from consulting an accredited exercise physiologist. These include chronic disease management after diagnosis of a range of conditions including:

• Chronic conditions such as chronic pain
• Cardiovascular disease
• Pulmonary disease
• Metabolic disease
• Neurological disease
• Musculoskeletal disease (including arthritis, osteoporosis/osteopenia, acute and/or chronic musculoskeletal issues)
• Depression and other mental health conditions
• Cancer

Accredited exercise physiologists may also assist with:

• Assessments of functional capacity
• Advice on lifestyle modification to improve health.  
• Exercise prescriptions for strength and function improvement pre- and post-surgery
• Workplace assessments.

 

Other services Exercise Physiologists provide:

• Pilates
• Review sessions
• Detailed individual programming.
• Hydrotherapy

 

Where should you go and what to bring?

Your appointment with your EP will be in the Plus Fitness gym located above Woolworths. Take a seat on the red chair located outside the gym and your EP will come to get you at your appointment time.

• Referral
• Towel
• Water bottle
• Exercise appropriate clothes
• Questions

 

What will your appointment consist of?

• Health screen
• Assessment tools
• Planning

• Goal setting - Think about your goals and what you would like to achieve prior to your appointment so your EP can best assist you during your consult.
• Making an action plan
• Education on conditions and exercise

 

The difference between an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and a Personal Trainer (PT)?

Both Exercise Physiologists and personal trainers can work with those who want to improve their health and well-being.

To become a personal trainer in Australia a Certificate 4 in Fitness is the minimum qualification which sometimes can be done in as little as 6 weeks. Personal trainers provide fitness assessments, instruction and supervision to individuals or small groups of clients. They may be employed by fitness centres or work on a freelance basis.  This qualification enables them to work with the general ‘healthy’ population.  They are only insured to work with this demographic.

An Exercise Physiologist has completed a minimum 4-year undergraduate degree at University in Sport Science.  After completing 300 plus clinical hours an Exercise Physiologist can then become Accredited through Exercise and Sport Science Australia. Being an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, we are trained in managing people with chronic medical conditions and musculoskeletal injuries. 

Consultations with an Exercise physiologist can attract a rebate from your private health fund. The rebate available does differ from fun to fund so check your fund to see your entitlements. AEP’s can receive referrals from your GP for sessions funded under Medicare, DVA and workers compensation.