Exercise physiology helps people manage conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition, it can improve weight loss and boost overall fitness levels.
Accredited Exercise Physiologists have a 4-year university degree and apply exercise science to help you achieve your health or performance goals. Exercise Physiology Assessments Adelaide include cardiopulmonary exercise testing, lung function spirometry and body composition testing.
Cardiorespiratory
Exercise physiology is an integral healthcare component for those with chronic health conditions. It has been proven to reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and fat mass through cardiovascular, strength and resistance training. Our specialised Adelaide Exercise Physiology team can prescribe and teach you the correct exercises to aid your recovery from any injury or condition.
Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are university-qualified health professionals who specialise in delivering exercise interventions to individuals experiencing acute, subacute and chronic medical conditions, injuries or disabilities. AEPs also work in sports science, training to provide objective training recommendations and information to maximise an athlete’s performance potential.
AEPs are highly skilled and can diagnose, treat, manage and prevent various health conditions and injuries. They will take the time to listen, assess and understand your condition/injury and then develop a comprehensive plan to help you recover and achieve your health goals.
In addition to exercise prescription, AEPs strongly understand the role that lifestyle management and behavioural change play in optimising health outcomes. They use their knowledge to assist with chronic health conditions including, but not limited to, heart disease, mental health disorders and osteoarthritis.
In Australia, exercise physiology is regulated by Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA). To become an AEP, you must complete an accredited exercise physiology degree program and comply with ESSA’s registration requirements. These include ongoing professional development, maintaining professional indemnity insurance, and adhering to the ESSA code of professional conduct. For more information about the exercise physiology assessments Adelaide, click here.
Musculoskeletal
Located at the UniSA City East, Magill and City West campuses, this Exercise Physiology Clinic offers specialist exercise prescription services to assist with chronic health conditions, musculoskeletal rehabilitation and general fitness. The services are provided by final-year undergraduate Exercise Physiology students under the supervision of accredited Exercise Physiologists or directly by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. To see an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, you must have a GP referral.
A musculoskeletal exercise assessment involves manual muscle testing to measure the strength and endurance of muscles and joints. It can also apply a physical examination to determine the presence of a disease or injury, such as arthritic changes in a joint, which may require treatment by an allied health professional.
The most common musculoskeletal assessment involves the handgrip strength test to measure upper body strength and the standing long jump test to measure lower body strength. These tests are considered to be indicative of a person’s overall musculoskeletal fitness, and they can be used to compare the performance and health status of individuals to national and international fitness standards.
Our exercise physiologists are trained to assess and manage your musculoskeletal injuries, illnesses and disabilities using an evidence-based approach. They can help you restore optimal movement patterns, improve your quality of life and increase your independence, irrespective of your diagnosis. They can also develop a home exercise program to strengthen and condition your body, reducing your symptoms and improving your daily activities. They can also give you postural education and awareness strategies to improve your posture and prevent future problems. We are committed to your safety, well-being and recovery, ensuring that you feel confident about the knowledge and skills we provide.
Electromyography (EMG)
A specialised electrodiagnostic examination, EMG, involves electrodes placed over the muscles to record and display electrical signals muscle contraction produces. The test can also detect abnormalities of the nerves or muscles, such as a loss of muscle strength due to damage or disease. It is an essential diagnostic tool to help your doctor determine the best treatment for you.
Your doctor will ask you about any medications you are taking, particularly those that affect your nervous system (such as pyridostigmine). You may experience minor bruising where needle electrodes are inserted into the muscles. However, this should fade within several days. There is a small risk of air leaking into the space between your lungs and chest wall and causing a pneumothorax. This can occur when the needle electrodes are inserted into your chest or back muscles.
Surface EMG amplitudes increase monotonically with increasing joint force and reach a plateau at approximately 40-95% of your maximum voluntary strength. For more information about the exercise physiology assessments Adelaide, click here.