top of page
Bike Race

What is an EP?

The short answer:

An exercise physiologist is a healthcare professional who prescribes exercise for optimising your health, rehabilitation, performance and quality of life.

​

An EP uses the most up-to-date research to inform their specific dosage and selection of exercise, and has additional training and education on how to help people create lifestyle change.

​

An EP is qualified to provide healthcare services to individuals with illnesses, chronic conditions, disabilities and injuries across the lifespan.

How can I access EP services?

Find out here

The Long Answer:

An exercise physiologist (EP) is a healthcare professional who uses the principles of exercise physiology to inform their treatment. They are accredited and regulated by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). 

​

Exercise physiology is the science of human performance under physical stress and the relationships between physical activity and the structure and function of the human body. It can range from training methods for high-performance to exercise for use as a non-pharmacological treatment for disease and managing poor outcomes whilst aging.

​

An EP has completed a university degree and works with 4 primary objectives;

  1. Promoting health and wellness

  2. Preventing and/or managing illness, chronic conditions and disability**

  3. Restoring health (rehabilitation)

  4. Helping athletes reach their potential in sports training and performance

​

**The clinical scope of an EP includes prescription of exercise to support people with conditions, illness and injury across the following broad areas;

  • metabolic health (Type 2 diabetes, PCOS, metabolic syndrome, obesity etc.)

  • musculoskeletal conditions/injuries (anything related to your muscles, bones, joints, tendons etc.)

  • cancer (pre-treatment, during treatment incl. chemotherapy, bone metastases, survivorship, palliative care)

  • women’s health (pre- and post-natal, PCOS, endometriosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, prolapse, menopause etc.)

  • mental health (depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, addiction & substance abuse disorders etc.)

  • heart health (coronary artery disease, congenital heart conditions, heart failure, high blood pressure, reducing risk of heart attack, angina etc.)

  • respiratory conditions (asthma, COPD, return to activity after lung transplant etc.)

  • neurological conditions (stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy etc.)

  • paediatric development (ASD, global developmental delay, general balance/coordination/developmental delays, down syndrome etc.)

  • healthy aging (osteoporosis, injuries, strength for independence, balance and falls risk, returning to activity post-hospitalisation)

  • chronic pain

  • other chronic conditions (Chronic kidney disease, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,

bottom of page