Exercise Physiology is a relatively new field within the allied health spectrum. In fact, it has only been recognised by Medicare as a form of alternative therapy over the last 15-20 years. Fortunately, the importance of Exercise Physiology within the allied health field is starting to come to the forefront of health conversations. Hopefully by the time you read this, you too will have a greater understanding of what AEPs do and how they can help you achieve your goals.

What is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist?

AEPs are university-qualified allied health professionals. They specialise in designing and delivering safe and effective exercise physiologist programs for people with chronic medical conditions, injuries, or disabilities. Services delivered by an AEP are also claimable under compensable schemes such as Medicare, NDIS, Workcover and covered by most private health insurers. When it comes to the prescription of exercise, they are the most qualified professionals in Australia.

Who can they help?

Whether you’re living with a chronic condition, illness, injury or just want some advice on how to exercise right for your specific needs, an AEP can help!

AEPs are professionally trained to work with a wide range of pathologies including:

• Cardiovascular – Coronary Artery Disease, Chronic Heart Failure, post heart attack patients
• Metabolic – Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension (High blood pressure), high cholesterol and sugar
• Neurological – Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis 
• Musculoskeletal – Low Back Pain, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis
• Mental Health – Depression and anxiety
• Respiratory & Pulmonary – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Asthma
• Cancer
• Disability care 

Because of their wide scope of practice, AEPs can work in a number of environments including:

• Public and private hospitals settings
• Primary, secondary and tertiary health care
• Within private and multidisciplinary clinics
• Population health
• Workplace health and rehabilitation
• Ageing and aged care
• Fitness centres, gymnasiums, business
• Sporting settings

How can they help? 

If you make the smart choice for your health to see an AEP, they will go through the following with you:

• An exercise pre-screening assessment which help identify current and previous injury history, family history of any chronic conditions, current lifestyle habits including current and previous exercise history and training goals.
• A detailed body composition assessment where an AEP will look at some measurements that include but are not limited to height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure, heart rate and blood oxygen levels. 
• A comprehensive exercise assessment that may include but are not limited to flexibility, strength, balance, fitness (all depending on your established training goals). 
• A thorough analysis of your results and how these relate back to your training goals.

From all of this above information, your AEP will design you a specific exercise program that is tailored to you specifically will help you get on track towards achieving your training goals.

If you have any further questions or if you are interested in seeing an AEP, then please call the clinic today to book in for an initial assessment!