What is Exercise Physiology?
The prevention or management of disease or injury through exercise
When should I see an Exercise Physiologist (EP)?
Everyone can benefit from seeing an EP. You will benefit from Exercise Physiology even if you are healthy and want to future-proof your body. It is recommended that you see an EP especially if you have one of the following chronic diseases or conditions:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Pulmonary disease
- Metabolic disease including diabetes
- Neurological disease
- Musculoskeletal disease including arthritis, osteoporosis/osteopenia
Exercise physiologists can also help you with:
- Depression
- Cancer
- Disabilities including NDIS
What can I expect on my first visit to an Exercise Physiologist?
You will first have a conversation to understand your needs and goals i.e. health prevention, disease management etc. Your movements, muscles and cardiovascular health will then be assessed in our purpose build studio. Once the assessment has been completed, you will be given a clear treatment plan. The plan will be tailored specifically to you and will involve either:
- One-on-one exercise
- Group exercise
What should I bring with me to my appointments?
- comfortable clothing and footwear you can exercise in
- any test results, referrals or investigations on your first visit
- bottle of water and a towel
Does Exercise Physiology attract any health insurance or medicare rebates?
Yes, provided your health insurance has funding for Exercise Physiology. To qualify for medicare rebates you will first of all need a referral from your GP under a Chronic Disease Management Plan.
What are the most common conditions that would benefit from Exercise Physiology?
- type 2 diabetes
- osteoporosis & osteopenia
- disabilities including those under the NDIS
- history of falls
- strengthening for the older generation
- overweight or obese individuals
Do you have Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the levels of sugar are too high in the bloodstream and cannot make their way into the cells of the body due to resistance against a hormone called insulin. This prolonged level of high blood sugar levels can result in potentially serious complications if left untreated.
Exercise Physiologists can help reduce your blood sugar levels, assist in maintaining a healthy body weight and make your muscles stronger to help you with your diabetes.
Do you have osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the hardness of the bone is reduced. This puts the individual at an increased risk of fracture, especially after a fall.
Exercise Physiologists help manage your osteoporosis through carefully tailored weight-bearing and strengthening exercises. These specific exercises can help harden the bones themselves and strengthen the muscles surrounding and supporting them.
Osteoporosis often has no symptoms and is at times only realised after a fracture or a Dexa scan.
Are you worried about your balance or have a fear of falling?
Did you know that after the age of 65, your balance can be reduced significantly?
The role of an Exercise Physiologist is to help you feel safer on your feet, reduce fear of falling, increase your walking speed and improve your overall quality of life.
They will first of all use specific tests to measure your balance. Once they have tabulated your results, you will be educated on your fall risk profile and recommended a treatment plan. Periodically, you will need to be retested to ensure that your balance is objectively improving.
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