What is Clinical Exercise Physiology?
Clinical exercise physiology is delivered by accredited exercise physiologists who 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.
Difference between exercise physiology and physiotherapy
A physiotherapist is… university qualified to assess, diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of health conditions and movement disorders.
An exercise physiologist is… university qualified to design, deliver and evaluate safe and effective exercise interventions for people with acute, sub-acute or chronic medical conditions, injuries or disabilities.
Difference between exercise physiology and personal training
Exercise Physiologists
4 Year University Degree qualified and accredited with ESSA.
Members of the health/medical sector with Medicare Provider numbers
Work with persons at risk of developing, or with existing chronic and complex medical conditions and injuries (i.e. ‘specific populations’)
Personal Trainers
Certificate 4 may be completed in less than 6 weeks of training.
Members of the sport and recreation sector.
Work with persons of low risk only (i.e. “apparently healthy populations”)
Where do exercise physiologists’ practice?
Accredited exercise physiologists work across a range of health settings including public and private hospitals, private and multidisciplinary clinics, government and not-for profit organisations, workplace health and rehabilitation, aged care facilities, fitness centres, gyms and sports organisations. They can even work from a park or from your home.
When should I 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 referrals after diagnosis of a range of conditions including:
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 status
Exercise prescriptions for strength and function improvement pre- and post- surgery
Workplace assessments.
What services do exercise physiologists provide?
Accredited exercise physiologists offer a range of services which include behavioural coaching, health education, exercise counselling and physical rehabilitation. Services include the prescription of tailored exercise programs, promoting leisure-time and incidental activity, and counselling to reduce sedentary behaviours. This will include an assessment to ensure the activity is safe, effective and likely to be maintained in the long term.
Accredited exercise physiologists do not provide invasive services (except for point of care testing), diagnosis, joint manipulation or pharmaceutical medicines.
How are exercise physiologists qualified?
In order to practice, the following requirements must be met:
Complete a minimum 4-year bachelor degree provided by a National University Course Accredited Program and Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology program.
Complete continuing professional development and work under a code of ethics.