Exercise Physiologists
What does an Exercise Physiologist do?
Exercise physiologists (EPs) provide exercise and lifestyle support for people with chronic diseases and injuries to encourage sustainable lifestyle changes.
Services
Services include individual and group-based lifestyle counselling, self-management support, exercise advice and monitoring of behaviour changes to promote independent lifestyle management. Treatments are primarily behavioural coaching, health education, exercise counselling and physical rehabilitation.
EPs specialise in exercise prescription, including individualised exercise programs, promoting leisure and incidental activities, and counselling to reduce sedentary behaviours. EP assessments ensure the activity prescription is safe, effective and likely to be maintained in the long term. Patients may have options of receiving a home based program, ongoing support in an exercise clinic, or a referral to an appropriate local physical activity provider, with follow up provided by the EP.
EPs work with a range of populations, including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Depression
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- COPD
- Chronic pain
- History of poor exercise maintenance
A patient can be referred to an EP at the initial diagnosis, following the identification of risk factors or to promote general wellbeing.
Medicare Eligibility
EPs must be accredited by Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) as an ‘Accredited Exercise Physiologist’ to be eligible to provide services under the Medicare chronic disease management items. Rebates are also provided by private health insurers.