What is Exercise Physiology?
Exercise Physiologists (EP) provide specialised clinical exercise interventions for a broad range of health issues. These clinical exercise interventions aim to prevent or manage disabilities, chronic diseases, and injuries while restoring optimal physical function or health.
How is it different from a Physiotherapist or an Occupational Therapist?
- EPs have extensive knowledge, skills and experience in clinical exercise delivery. They provide health modification counselling for people with chronic disease and injury, with a strong focus on achieving behavioural change.
- Physiotherapists are a great starting point to get people to the stage where they can benefit from active therapies. In short, a Physiotherapist will get you walking, and an Exercise Physiologist will get you running!
- Occupational Therapists assist people by providing therapies and assistive technology that enable people to safely complete activities of daily living and mobilise around the home or community. E.g. Motorised Wheelchairs and Home Modifications.
How can I tell if an NDIS participant might benefit from an exercise physiologist?
Any NDIS participant seeking greater independence, capacity to participate in their community or improved health and disability outcomes would benefit greatly from an Exercise Physiologist.
What qualifications do EP’s have?
They are university qualified with either a four-year bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology. Like Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, EPs are also qualified Allied Health Professionals.
What are the benefits of using an exercise physiologist over other therapists?
- Expertly designed exercise interventions that specifically target and assist clients with their disability and health goals.
- Strong focus on health behaviour change counselling.
- Develop tailored exercise plans that offset weight-related side effects of medication.
Under what conditions is an exercise physiologist NOT appropriate?
EP’s address many key areas in all disabilities, including but not limited to side effects of medications, improved functional abilities, increased mobility in the community, and behavioural change strategies.
Can EP perform functional capacity assessments?
YES, EP’s are great at functional assessments as they utilise the principles of exercise to break down the task requirements and functional capacity needed to perform a specific task.
What goals can an exercise physiologist help NDIS participants achieve?
- Improve community participation
- Health behavioural change
- Meeting physical requirements for employment
- Improve mobility
- Increase independence
- Weight and muscle management
How long does it take to see results, and how long do I see a clinician?
From the first session, you will learn to apply better movement strategies. As we work with you and create your personalised tailored for you exercise program you’ll begin to feel improvements in your abilities and overall condition.
What do exercise physiology sessions look like with a clinician?
EP’s usually work at gyms, parks, and/or in the comforts of your home and we usually bring the equipment necessary to treat the person/s.
Can exercise physiology be done over telehealth?
Of course! Depending on the safety constraints of the person/s disability (e.g. falls risk).
What are some common myths and misconceptions about exercise physiology?
Common myths:
- We can’t treat mental health conditions. EP’s specialise in exercise interventions and behavioural change counselling that profoundly affect people with mental health conditions like depression and schizophrenia.
- Exercise Physiology is only for people who are able to participate in regular physical activity. Regardless of your disability, anyone can benefit from some form of exercise!
- All clinical exercise has to be boring and uninteresting. Playing games and having outrageous fun is a foundation for exercise physiology!
How do I know if I have it in my plan, and what line item is it funded under?
Exercise Physiology, just like other types of therapies can be billed under Capacity Building Daily Living.
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If I don’t have it, how do I get it into my plan? What do I have to ask my planner for? What assessments do I need? Can Meta Healthcare help with this?
All you need to do is contact your support coordinator to check your eligibility for therapeutic services.
Don’t have funding? No worries!
Meta Healthcare can provide free Initial Assessments to help you get funding for an Exercise Physiologist and we can hold your hand through the entire process.