Your local exercise physiology practice in Penrith
Agility Physiotherapy & Exercise Physiology is evidence-based and guideline-based practice that works alongside GP's in Myhealth Medical centre Westfield Penrith. Our approach is high quality and consistent and is based on the most recent evidence to ensure you get a fast and effective outcome.
What is an exercise physiologist?
Exercise & Sports Science Australia is the peak professional body and they define accredited exercise physiologists as 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. Pathology domains covered by the services of accredited exercise physiologists include cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, musculoskeletal, cancers, kidney, respiratory / pulmonary and mental health, and any other conditions for which there is evidence that exercise can improve the client’s clinical status.
Core accredited exercise physiology target pathologies
Accredited exercise physiologists can help with a number of conditions and the application of exercise as a core addition in the management of these conditions is well researched and supported by current research findings. These conditions include:
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Cancer including but not limited to breast cancer, prostate cancer and bowel cancer.
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Cardiovascular including but not limited to ischaemic heart disease (IHD) / acute myocardial infarction (AMI), chronic heart failure (CHF), arrhythmias and pacemakers, hypertension, peripheral artery disease (PAD), and valve disease.
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Kidney including but not limited to chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1-5, common aetiologies – diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, longterm medication use, infectious kidney disease, acute kidney failure (reversible), and end stage kidney disease.
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Mental Health including but not limited to anxiety disorders, affective disorders, psychotic disorders and trauma, and stressors related disorders.
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Metabolic including but not limited to overweight and obesity, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidaemias (acquired and familial), Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, sleep apnoea, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
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Musculoskeletal including but not limited to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, acute, and sub-acute and chronic specific and non-specific musculoskeletal pain / injuries /disabilities (NDIS).
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Neurological/Neuromuscular including but not limited to stroke (CVA), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), dementia, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
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Respiratory/Pulmonary including but not limited to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary / airways disease, and cystic fibrosis.
Scope of accredited exercise physiology practice
Professional practice is influenced by many factors including the context in which practice occurs, individual client needs, and the practice environment, as well as local, government and industry policies. The foundational scope of practice that ESSA accepts as reasonable for accredited exercise physiologists entering the profession to be involved in is listed below:
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Screening, assessing and applying clinical reasoning to ensure the safety and appropriateness of exercise and physical activity interventions, which includes conducting tests of physiological measures.
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Assessing movement capacity in people of all ages and levels of health, well-being or fitness.
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Development of safe, effective individualised exercise interventions.
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Provision of health education, advice and support to enhance health and well-being including nutritional advice in line with national nutrition guidelines and information on relevant prescribed medicines.
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Provision of exercise intervention and education for those at risk of developing a chronic condition or injury.
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Provision of clinical exercise prescription, for those with existing chronic and complex medical conditions and injuries.
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Provision of exercise-based rehabilitation and advice for patients in the acute/sub-acute stage of injury, surgical intervention, or during recovery to restore functional capacity and well-being.
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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.