So, what is an Exercise Physiologist?
By definition, an Exercise Physiologist is a university trained, allied health professional who prescribes exercise to help manage or treat health/medical conditions, and/or disabilities.
Essentially, an Exercise Physiologist is an expert in movement and exercise, with a comprehensive knowledge of human physiology, anatomy, the body’s response to exercise, as well as behaviour change. Exercise Physiologists understand the physiological side of chronic conditions and disability, and the physiological impact exercise can have.
How can an Exercise Physiologist help children and young people?
Exercise Physiology can help children and young people with:
Developing gross motor, sport specific skills, or general coordination.
Improving muscular strength and endurance, and cardio respiratory fitness.
Improving and managing low muscle tone.
Improve balance, posture and core control.
Improving endurance, ambulation, gait and a number of other skills important for improving functional capacity, daily tasks, participation and physical independence.
Engagement in sport and Physical Education class.
Building confidence to increase participation in school and community physical activities, and keep up with peers.
Exercise programs to foster social skills or cognitive benefit such as executive functioning and motor planning.
Using exercise to manage health conditions such as Asthma, Type 1 Diabetes and congenital heart conditions.
An Exercise Physiology intervention is primarily movement or exercise based, but it can also have emphasis on behaviour change, and support individuals to change their physical activity and sedentary (sitting) behaviour.
These are just examples, if you’re wondering if Exercise Physiology can help a particular concern, please reach out, we’d be happy to have a chat!