45 mins
How can exercise physiology help me?
One of the least understood health practices is exercise physiology. It is misunderstood by many to only be for professional athletes undergoing rehab. In reality, exercise physiology is for everyone.
Targeted exercise programs can be developed for everyday people or those suffering from chronic pain, ailments or illness. It can be used for strength and conditioning, training load management, exercise for weight loss and metabolic conditions and the management of chronic health conditions.
By analysing an individual’s mental and physical health, exercise physiology works to improve muscular strength, flexibility, body composition, cardiovascular fitness and endurance.
But is it as black and white as simply doing more exercise?
It’s no secret that staying active and eating a balanced diet is one of the best ways to improving your health and wellbeing. However, life often puts barriers in our way. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, many Australians gradually stop exercising as they get older, much to the detriment of their health. What’s more, exercise, if done incorrectly, can actually do more damage than good. Particularly, post-surgery or injury. To combat this, exercise physiologists work with you with custom training programs to ensure you reach your health goals.
Exploring exercise physiology
Exercise physiology can help healthy people become more active, but it also helps people suffering from health conditions and injuries like:
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Chronic pain
- Osteoporosis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Arthritis
Additionally, many professional athletes also use exercise physiology to help them reach and maintain peak performance.
So, how does exercise physiology work?
Focusing on the effects of exercise on the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and endocrine systems, exercise physiologists prescribe tailored exercise and rehabilitation services to help your body move at its best.
Prescribing a range of specific exercise programs to do both in the clinic/hospital and at home, exercise physiologists aim to restore or improve your body’s physical condition.
And before you say it, no, exercise physiologists are not personal trainers. Unlike a general personal trainer, exercise physiologists study in university for 4-5 years. Doctors will also refer patients directly to EPs to treat injuries, conditions or illnesses they have diagnosed.
Exercise physiologists often work within the sports medicine research area alongside professional athletes. Programs can be used in conjunction with physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy and pilates.
If you’re interested in improving your health, managing a chronic illness or recovering from an injury, exercise physiology could be for you. Book a consultation with an allied exercise physiologist through Avaana today!
