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The Role of an Accredited Exercise Physiologist

Accredited exercise physiologists specialise in clinical exercise interventions for persons at high-risk of developing, or with existing chronic and complex medical conditions and injuries. These interventions are provided by exercise delivery including health and physical activity education, advice and support; and lifestyle modification with a strong focus on achieving behavioural change.

AEPs are recognised allied health professionals displaying a diverse range of knowledge and skills, working across a variety of areas in the health and exercise and sports science fields. As a specialist in this field, AEPs work in areas such as public and private hospitals,
primary healthcare within private or multidisciplinary clinics,population health, workplace health, workplace rehabilitation and aged care.

The aims of AEP interventions are to prevent or manage chronic disease or injury, and assist in restoring one’s optimal physical function, health or wellness.

Scope of Practice

  • Screening and risk stratifying to ensure the safety and appropriateness of exercise and physical activity interventions;
  • Assessing a person’s ‘movement’ capacity in people of all ages and levels of health, well-being or fitness;
  • Development of safe, effective individualised exercise interventions;
  • Provision of health education, advice and support to enhance health and well-being;
  • Provision of exercise intervention and advice for those at risk of developing a chronic condition or injury
  • Provision of clinical exercise prescription, for those with existing chronic and complex medical conditions;
  • Provision of rehabilitation and advice for patients following the acute stage of injury, surgical intervention, or during recovery to restore functional capacity and well-being; and;
  • The above tasks may occur at any level of primary, secondary or tertiary health care, and may include employment or volunteer work at an individual, community or population health level through various employers or industries.

Why do you need it?

Your health. You only have one chance at life. Make it a good one. Focus on yourself, and make yourself the priority. Because “we know of no single intervention with greater promise than physical exercise to reduce the risk of virtually all chronic diseases simultaneously.” (Booth, 2000).

Use an Exercise Physiologist to help you.

 

 

Aaron King

B.App.Sci(Sp.Ex.Sci) MESSA AEP

Accredited Exercise Physiolgist & Managing Director of ASK Health Solutions

 

References

Booth et al. 2000, Waging war on Modern Chronic Diseases: Primary Prevention Through Exercise Biology, Journal of Applied Physiology, vol 88, no.2, 774-787, 2000.

www.essa.org.au