Exercise Physiology

Clinical exercise is a cornerstone in our exercise physiology services, focusing on managing chronic disease and treating major injuries. Our exercise physiologists provide individuals with education, advice on lifestyle changes and support to aid recovery. Treatment helps manage existing health conditions, prevent other conditions, reduce the risk of hospital readmission, and accelerate recovery. Our treatment is individualised so as recovery progresses, treatment is altered. Where required, our exercise physiologists will work with allied health colleagues to provide the best long-term outcome for our clients’ mind and movement wellness.

Our Move Exercise Physiology programs are also available, which concentrate on educating participants about:

• The benefits of consistent exercise.
• Good sleep hygiene.
• Improved mental health.
• Incidental exercise.
• Community and social engagement.
• Healthy mind, body and spirit.  

Gym work is an important part of the recovery and conditioning for some clients. Weight-bearing exercise offers a range of benefits. Bones become denser and stronger, and the joints are better protected. Our exercise physiologists ensure the right exercise is completed correctly to aid in building an individual’s strength and reducing the risk of another injury. As a client recovers and builds strength, the gym and conditioning program allows them to continue progressing safely until they achieve their goals.

Altius gym programs:

• Are delivered by exercise physiologists who are experienced at tailoring gym programs and other exercises to support improvements to mental health conditions. The Black Dog Institute found that 16 weeks of regular exercise can be equally effective as antidepressant medication in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.
• Are guided by exercise physiologists to ensure exercises minimise injury while working to increase functioning.
• Are designed to be enjoyable and achievable, to motivate individuals to participate fully in the program.

An injury or lengthy time away from work can result in deconditioning of the body. Within as little as five or six weeks, our bodies can lose 30-40% of their strength. For people who do manual work, they’re at increased risk of an injury or illness if they return to work at 100% of their previous capacity. Individuals returning to work often require physical, functional and behavioural solutions to improve their capacity and condition for carrying out their previous, or a new, role.

An exercise physiologist or occupational therapist can assist employees with effective return to work or conditioning strategies. These movement for life strategies allow individuals to build their body to safe level where they can fulfil their workload. 

Our Physical and Work Conditioning programs:

• Take a short amount of time to educate a returning worker. However, they can save weeks, even months of not being at work while they recover from an injury. 
• Promote a proactive approach to physical and work conditioning which can cost a fraction of just one worker’s compensation claim. 
• Help employees feel appreciated, by their employer's time and effort to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Chronic diseases are life-changing for most people. Every facet of life can be impacted including work, family life, social activities and hobbies. However, effective management of a chronic disease can reduce its impact. Exercise can be one of the most effective forms of non-medicated treatment. 

Whether it’s heart disease, diabetes, asthma, back pain, arthritis, cancer, or dementia, we specialise in move exercise physiology, focusing on personalised exercise plans to manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.

Our exercise physiologists understand the impact chronic diseases have on the body. By prescribing the right level and intensity of exercise, a client can gain strength, fitness and confidence.

Our exercise physiologists can benefit those with a chronic disease by:

• Developing tailored programs to reduce pain and joint stiffness and increase muscle strength and fitness to improve a person’s quality of life.
• Providing support to access other Altius allied health professionals to manage their chronic disease, such as psychologists. Our range of allied health professionals can help clients who might need more than just physical help. Depression and anxiety often follow a chronic illness diagnosis. Our psychologists can help clients manage the impact the disease has on their mental health. 
• Collaborating with referring doctors and specialists to ensure their patient receives the best possible holistic care.  

Loss in strength and fitness begins within 24 hours of an injury. A reduced level of activity can decrease tolerance and conditioning to everyday activities. Learning to successfully manage pain can aid recovery and assist with daily living.

We provide coordinated support for comorbid injuries, utilising psychological therapy to help individuals adjust and cope with pain. This can include working with our exercise physiologists to facilitate physical therapy to help improve their mood and functioning.

Altius allied health professionals:

• Educate individuals, clients and employees to improve their understanding of pain, as being knowledgeable about pain can lead to less focus on the pain and reduced fear of the pain worsening. 
• Provide psychological support, as part of a GP Management Plan and Team Care, to manage pain.
• Deliver tailored activity programs that offer positive pain management strategies. 

For more information, download our brochure.