Exercise Physiology is still a relatively new and misunderstood allied health profession. Knowing how an exercise physiologist differs from other health professions and how they can help with certain conditions is crucial for you to know what the best profession is for your current stage of life.
What is an exercise physiologist?
Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are university-qualified allied health professionals and experts in the prescription of exercise for treating and managing health conditions. AEPs support individuals with chronic and complex health conditions, injuries, and disabilities to find the best exercises for their condition, ability, and health goals. Services delivered by an AEP are claimable under Australian compensable schemes like Medicare, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA), Workers’ compensation, and covered by most private health insurers.
How do exercise physiologists differ from physiotherapists?
Both professions involve a minimum of four years of tertiary study at university, but their scope of practice varies.
AEPs specialise in long term exercise prescription. They can help prevent and treat many health conditions through prescribed exercise. They use movement as treatment for chronic conditions, rehabilitation, pain management, weight management, and long-term health. They’ll build a program that evolves with you, helping you take control of your health.
Physiotherapists can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. They often use manual hands-on therapy to support recovery, manage pain and restore movement after injury or surgery.
Both play important roles, and many people benefit from seeing both at different stages of their health journey.
What Exactly Does an Exercise Physiologist Do?
An AEP goes through a comprehensive assessment of your medical history and physical capabilities to create a highly personalised exercise plan to help you achieve your goals in a safe and effective manner. The primary roles of an exercise physiologist includes:
- Chronic Disease Management: Developing safe exercise programs to help manage conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and osteoporosis.
- Injury & Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Guiding patients through progressive, controlled movements to heal tissue and prevent re-injury once a primary diagnosis is made.
- Neurological & Musculoskeletal Support: Providing targeted interventions for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or chronic pain to improve mobility and balance.
- Behavioural Coaching: Offering lifestyle education and motivational support to help clients establish sustainable health habits.
Could you benefit from seeing an exercise physiologist?
AEPs are suitable for a wide range of people that either have chronic conditions, are wanting to prevent the risk of disease, or are just looking for the best guidance around safe and effective exercise. You will likely benefit greatly from exercise physiology if:
- You are managing a long-term health condition: Exercise is proven to reduce symptoms, fatigue, and pain associated with chronic illnesses and cancers.
- You are recovering from surgery or injury: If you are past the acute pain phase and need a safe, graded return to your daily activities and fitness routine.
- Exercise feels overwhelming or unsafe: If you lack confidence, fear re-injury, or require clinical oversight while you build strength and mobility.
- You want to improve overall health and prevent disease: They can build conditioning programs focused on fall prevention, weight management, and preserving strength through every stage of life.
If you are wanting to see how you can benefit from exercise physiology services, book in with one of our amazing AEPs at Optimum Exercise Physiology by calling us on 8873 0628 or making a booking online!
