Introducing exercise physiology
- Sam Slykhuis
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
What Does an Exercise Physiologist Actually Do?
You may have heard of an “Exercise Physiologist” before, but you would be surprised how many people are not quite sure exactly what we do, or how we might differ from physiotherapists or personal trainers.
Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEP) are “university-qualified health professionals who
prescribe, deliver and adapt movement, physical activity, and exercise-based interventions to facilitate and optimize health status, function, recovery and independence”. “AEPs provide services to people across the full health spectrum, healthy through to those at
risk of developing a health condition, and people with health conditions, a disability, and
age-related illness and conditions, including chronic, complex conditions”.
So how is this any different from other professionals?
Physiotherapists often focus on diagnosing injuries and managing acute or early-stage
rehabilitation, using a mix of manual “hands-on” therapy (massage and manipulation) and
exercise/ movement based therapy.
Personal Trainers hold fitness certificates and typically focus on performance, training healthy
individuals/ populations to improve overall fitness, strength and aid weight loss.
Exercise Physiologists bridge the gap between these two. We focus on long-term management, helping people improve function, build strength and confidence whilst safely returning to meaningful daily activities, especially when health conditions are involved.
A key part of what EPs do is individualised exercise prescription, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Programs are tailored based on your medical history, current capacity, limitations, goals and objective assessment results completed by the EP. For example, someone with knee osteoarthritis may require a significantly different program compared to someone with Atrial Fibrillation.
EPs also play an important role in behaviour change. Beginning and building consistency with an exercise routine can be challenging, especially when ongoing pain and fatigue, or fear of aggravating or re-injuring yourself is involved. We collaborate and work alongside you to gradually build confidence and consistency over time.
You might benefit from seeing an Exercise Physiologist if you:
● Have a chronic condition (e.g. high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, heart disease, low
back pain)
● Are recovering from surgery, injury, or treatment
● Experience ongoing pain or fatigue for longer than 3 months
● Want a safe and structured return to exercise
● Haven’t had success with exercise on your own
Overall, Exercise Physiology is about improving quality of life. Whether that means better
managing or reducing pain, improving strength and mobility, or simply being able to move more freely, the goal is to help you feel more capable in your day-to-day life, and to stay that way.
If this sounds like you, or you feel it relates to your current situation, getting the right support can make a significant difference. Feel free to get in touch with our Armstrong Creek clinic or book online for an initial consultation to discuss how an individualised exercise program can help you!
References
- Exercise Sports Science Australia. (2024). ESSA’s Career Guide for Exercise
Physiologists
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- American College of Sports Medicine. (2021). ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing
and Prescription.
- Booth, F. W., Roberts, C. K., & Laye, M. J. (2012). Lack of exercise is a major cause of
chronic diseases. Comprehensive Physiology, 2(2), 1143–1211.
- Australian Government Department of Health. (2019). Exercise and Physical Activity
Guidelines
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