What Does an Exercise Physiologist Do?
Understanding Clinical Exercise Physiology
When people hear the term "Exercise Physiologist," they often imagine someone overseeing workouts or designing fitness programs. While these are indeed elements of the role, the full scope of what an exercise physiologist does—particularly a Clinical Exercise Physiologist—is much broader and more profound. This profession isn't just about exercise; it's about science, health, and personalised treatment plans that can help people manage a range of conditions and live healthier lives.
Let’s dive deeper into the world of Clinical Exercise Physiology and explore the vital role it plays in modern healthcare.
The Foundations of Clinical Exercise Physiology – What an Exercise Physiologist Does.
At its core, Clinical Exercise Physiology is the study of how physical activity impacts the body, both in health and disease. But it's not just theory! Clinical Exercise Physiologists work with real patients, applying evidence-based exercise interventions to treat and prevent chronic diseases, injuries, and disabilities. The field blends aspects of medical science, exercise science, and behavioural therapy to help individuals live better, healthier lives.
Exercise Physiologists are highly trained, university-educated health professionals who understand the complex interactions between movement and the body’s various systems. They know how to modify exercise prescriptions for people with various chronic health conditions.
So, what does an exercise physiologist do in a clinical setting? Let’s break it down.
Comprehensive Assessments: The First Step
Before any treatment plan is created, an exercise physiologist begins with a comprehensive assessment. This isn't your typical gym fitness test. A clinical exercise physiologist will perform an in-depth evaluation of a patient's medical history, current physical capacity, and lifestyle. The goal? To identify specific areas where exercise can help improve overall health or manage a condition more effectively.
In these assessments, the exercise physiologist will often measure things like:
Cardiovascular fitness
Muscle strength, endurance, and/or range of motion
Flexibility
Balance and coordination
Metabolic functions, like blood glucose levels
It’s not just about numbers, though. Clinical exercise physiologists take into account how a patient feels and their personal goals. This personalised approach sets the stage for a tailored exercise plan that considers the patient's individual needs, medical conditions, and lifestyle
Tailored Exercise Prescription (where the magic happens)
Once a full assessment has been completed, the next step is to create a tailored exercise prescription. This plan is a lot like what you'd get from a medical professional prescribing medication—but in this case, the "medicine" is movement!
The exercise prescription may include:
Aerobic exercises like walking or swimming to improve heart health
Strength training to build muscle mass and improve metabolic health
Flexibility exercises to enhance mobility and reduce pain
Balance and coordination exercises for fall prevention
Each exercise recommendation is based on scientific evidence and adjusted to fit the patient's current abilities. For example, someone with a knee injury will receive different exercises than someone recovering from heart surgery. And while general fitness trainers can provide workout plans, clinical exercise physiologists are trained to work with complex conditions where specific adaptations are required to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the program.
It’s all about finding the balance between challenge and safety.
Working with Chronic Disease
One of the most critical aspects of a Clinical Exercise Physiologist’s job is working with patients who have chronic diseases. This is where the role becomes far more medical than people might assume. This is one of the major aspects of what and Exercise Physiologist does.
Exercise physiologists often collaborate with other healthcare providers to develop exercise interventions for patients with:
Heart disease: Improving cardiovascular fitness, reducing blood pressure, and managing cholesterol levels.
Diabetes: Helping manage blood glucose levels through regular physical activity, which improves insulin sensitivity.
Respiratory conditions like COPD: Building lung capacity and improving overall stamina to make daily life easier.
Cancer: Assisting in recovery and helping with fatigue management during and after treatment.
Chronic pain: Using specific movements to reduce pain levels, improve mobility, and prevent further injury (my personal passion area!).
The clinical exercise physiologist's understanding of physiology allows them to safely guide patients through exercises that improve their health, rather than risking exacerbating their condition.
Injury Rehabilitation and Recovery
Another key part of the role is rehabilitation after an injury or surgery. Whether it’s a sports injury, post-surgery recovery, or an accident, Clinical Exercise Physiologists create rehab programs that help patients regain strength, mobility, and function. And it’s not just athletes! Everyday people recovering from knee replacements, back surgery, or even repetitive strain injuries can benefit from structured rehabilitation exercises.
In this context, the Exercise Physiologist takes into account tissue healing, the biomechanics of movement, and the body’s response to exercise. They will carefully progress the intensity and type of exercise as the patient's condition improves.
This is another major difference between a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and a general fitness professional—the ability to adapt exercise to the healing phases of injury and illness.
Pain Management and Movement Therapy
Let’s talk about persistent pain—something many people live with daily. Whether it's due to a long-term condition like arthritis or a past injury, managing chronic pain can feel like an uphill battle. Here's where Clinical Exercise Physiology comes in.
Exercise might seem counterintuitive when you're in pain, but the right type of movement can actually reduce pain levels. Through targeted movements and exercises, clinical exercise physiologists help patients retrain their bodies and brains to move more comfortably.
For example, if a patient has chronic lower back pain, a clinical exercise physiologist might develop a program that focuses on strengthening certain muscles to support the spine. Over time, this can reduce the stress on the back and alleviate pain.
The emphasis here is on restoring balance, teaching patients how to move well, and providing tools and strategies to manage pain to ultimately improve their quality of life, and build long-term resilience. For more information about chronic/persistent pain, please check out our pain management page.
The Power of Education and Lifestyle Change
Last but certainly not least, education is a huge part of what a clinical exercise physiologist does. Patients aren’t just handed a list of exercises and sent on their way. Instead, they are taught why they’re doing certain movements and how these exercises impact their condition.
This education empowers patients to take control of their health. They learn the importance of regular physical activity, how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and, most importantly, how to prevent further injuries or setbacks.
In addition, Clinical Exercise Physiologists often coach patients on making broader lifestyle changes. This can include advice on nutrition, sleep, stress management, and other factors that play a role in overall health.
Conclusion - What Does an Exercise Physiologist Do Next?
So, what does an Exercise Physiologist do? In short, they provide a holistic approach to healthcare that goes beyond exercise. A Clinical Exercise Physiologist doesn’t just treat symptoms—they help patients address the root causes of their health issues and improve their overall quality of life.
After creating and guiding patients through personalised exercise programs, what does an exercise physiologist do next? They ensure long-term success. By regularly monitoring progress, adjusting plans, and offering ongoing support, exercise physiologists help patients sustain their health improvements. Their role doesn’t end when goals are met—it extends into helping individuals maintain a pain-free, active lifestyle for the long haul. In essence, they become a trusted partner in health, committed to lasting results.
With a deep understanding of the human body, clinical exercise physiologists play a pivotal role in preventing and managing chronic disease, rehabilitating injuries, and promoting long-term health through personalised movement strategies. They are key players in multidisciplinary healthcare teams, offering a unique skill set that blends movement science, medical knowledge, and a deep understanding of how to make exercise work for every individual.
By Scott Howard (Clinical Exercise Physiologist) │ 16/09/2024 │ Alignment Exercise Physiology
