Exercise Physiology

Exercise physiology is the physiology of physical exercise. It is one of the allied health professions, and involves the study of the acute responses and chronic adaptations to exercise. Exercise Physiologists are the highest qualified exercise professionals and utilise education, lifestyle intervention and specific forms of exercise to rehabilitate and manage acute, sub-acute and chronic injuries and conditions.

We all know we must include exercise in our everyday lives, but dependent on the chronic condition or injury, knowing what treatment program is most suitable for rehabilitation is most important to get started and then optimise recovery.

What Does an Accredited Exercise Physiologist Do?

Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are university qualified allied health professionals equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies to design, deliver and evaluate safe and effective exercise interventions for people with acute, sub-acute or chronic medical conditions, injuries or disabilities.

Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEP’s) utilise their skills with exercise prescription to treat a range of different health conditions. Combined with their training in behaviour change, they can assist clients to gain the knowledge, understanding and motivation to manage their health and elevate their wellbeing. Altius Group AEPs adopt a biopsychosocial approach to optimise the benefits realised by their clients. The biopsychosocial model influences the development of the most therapeutic and cost-effective treatment programs and makes it far more likely for the chronic pain client to optimise function and experience vast improvements in quality of life.

Our Exercise Physiology Services

At Altius Group, we know there are many situations or reasons why Australians need access to exercise physiology services. With programs that have clear focuses and outcomes, our services set out to achieve results based on the specific needs of our clients.

Recovery & Wellness Initiative

A truly holistic program using a biopsychosocial approach providing the opportunity whereby participants can significantly improve their physical, emotional, social, and mental wellbeing, resulting in an overall positive impact on recovery, return to work and life.

Work-Related Activity Treatment

Our work-related activity treatment program consists of sessions that are delivered in the community, home and/or workplace settings. This program focuses on the performance of functional activities specific to the workers job tasks. This helps to ensure a smooth transition back to full capacity and gives employees the confidence they need to get back to their best and manage long-term.

Functional Recovery Programs

Our functional recovery programs focus on optimising functional capacity, overall health and wellbeing and promoting independence to support a return to work or life. Through an emphasis on assisting with education, physical health and more, our functional recovery solutions assist individuals in finding alternative ways to do things, find or regain their independence during and after recovery.

Hydrotherapy

Our water-based treatment programs help support individuals post-surgery or when weight-bearing activity is difficult. Accredited exercise physiologists work to support clients to transition to land-based activity as soon as possible. Studies have shown that hydrotherapy increases the release of endorphins in the body, which are natural anxiety and stress busters. Endorphins also act as a natural pain reliever to further reduce muscle soreness.

PreHab

Our PreHab Support Program is a pre-surgical rehabilitation program, and is designed to minimise the impact of muscle loss and joint stiffness while assisting clients to regain function and return to their daily life faster.

When it comes to successful surgery outcomes, 50% of this success is due to the surgeon and 50% is the result of a client’s commitment to recovery, starting with PreHab.

Functional Re-education and Empowerment Program

Our Functional Re-education and Empowerment Program responds to the growing need to support an increasingly ageing and injured workforce through positive and sustainable occupational health initiatives. The program’s focus is the training and education around key functional movements to reduce the risk of injury associated with workplace safety and manual handling.

NDIS Exercise Physiology Program

Altius NDIS Exercise Physiology Program focusses on a participant’s life goals, to optimise function and capacity, promote independence and facilitate community engagement. Altius NDIS Exercise Physiology benefits participants by maximising you overall health and fitness by supporting weight loss, improving mood, reducing chronic disease risk, enhancing memory, improving posture, increasing energy and confidence, and improving mental health and physical strength.

Altius Group’s Accredited Exercise Physiologists deliver health and wellbeing assessments to develop evidence based, individualised exercise programs for participants, through face to face and Telehealth appointments. Altius NDIS Exercise Physiology aims to enhance functional capacity and empower participants to independently manage their overall health and wellbeing through the provision of education on lifestyle choices as well as the benefits of exercise.

Chronic Disease Management Program

The government recognises the need for increased support and treatment for people who suffer chronic disease. Exercise physiologists are among the allied health professionals able to provide Medicare services to people with chronic and complex illnesses. The Enhanced Primary Care Plan (ECP) supports the use of exercise physiologists through Medicare. Rebates are also available through the department of Veteran Affairs and select private health insurers.

Our Approach to Exercise Physiology

Since 1997 we have assisted our clients elevate their wellbeing. Our Exercise Physiologists provide the very best in recovery, wellbeing and return to work solutions, with a focus on excellence in outcomes, service delivery and innovation.

Through years of experience, OccHealth by Altius has established proven strategies in delivering cost-effective and sustainable evidence-based intervention, underpinned by robust quality assurance for a positive customer experience. We place great value on our team of experts, who not only have the best of industry experience and expertise, but a real passion for people.

Our holistic approach targets and addresses the biological, psychological, and social factors and their complex interactions in understanding health, illness, and treatment delivery that contribute to poor outcomes and delaying a person’s wellbeing journey.

Our experience tells us that Exercise Physiology is so much more than providing exercise programs for our clients. It’s about supporting our clients with behavioural change in making better lifestyle decisions to elevate their wellbeing.

Our approach aligns itself with the Clinical Framework for the Delivery of Health Services. The Clinical Framework outlines a set of guiding principles for the delivery of health services. The five guiding principles are in line with best practice and can be applied across a range of injury types.

1. Measure and demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment
2. Adopt a biopsychosocial approach
3. Empower the injured person to manage their injury
4. Implement goals focused on optimising function, participation and return to work
5. Base treatment on the best available research evidence

FAQs

From questions directed towards our accredited exercise physiologists, to general questions that relate to our programs, there are many queries that get put to our team at Altius Group.

What is the Difference Between an Accredited and Non-Accredited Exercise Physiologist?

Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are university qualified allied health professionals equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies to design, deliver and evaluate safe and effective exercise interventions for people with acute, sub-acute or chronic medical conditions, injuries or disabilities.

You should see an AEP when you need the confidence to undertake a suitable exercise program for you, or when you have a medical condition or injury that requires specialist health care and professional exercise advice. Unlike, say, a personal trainer, who is trained to work with healthy populations, AEPs specialise in working with those living with illness or injury.

When Should You Refer to an Accredited Exercise Physiologist?

The science is clear – exercise is medicine. But many doctors aren’t even asking their patients about their activity levels, much less prescribing exercise. If you want to start moving more, then it might be time for you to be referred to an exercise physiologist.

Services delivered by an AEP are also claimable under compensable schemes such as Workers Compensation, CTP and Medicare and covered by most private health insurers. When it comes to the prescription of exercise, AEPs are the most qualified professionals in Australia.

You should see an Exercise Physiologist when you need the confidence to undertake an appropriate exercise program for you, or when you have a medical condition or injury that requires specialist health care and professional exercise advice. Following medical clearance, Exercise Physiology is appropriate at any time of a rehabilitation process.