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Exercise Physiology.

Meet our Exercise Physiology Team >

Exercise Physiologists are university-trained, allied health professionals who specialise in the delivery of exercise, lifestyle and behavioural modification programs for the prevention and management of chronic diseases and injuries. They evaluate and advise people in the areas of cardiovascular fitness, muscle
strength and endurance, flexibility, mobility and body composition. They may further specialise in working with persons with diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Sportslab Exercise Physiology looks at the person from a neuro-muscular perspective. Athletic participation, occupation and hobbies can create a number of imbalances, which may interfere with your general wellbeing over time. Indeed most injuries occur over time and are rarely due to a single cause. Some potential causes of injury include:

- Lack of flexibility

- Strength deficits

- Fatigue

- Muscle imbalances

- Inadequate warm-up

- Altered biomechanics

Assessment is an important step in being free of injury. A study in the Sports Medicine Journal in 1994 reported that the intensity required by the average sedentary person trying to improve their cardiovascular system will likely create
excessive body structural overload – this particular study showed a 50-90% injury rate in the initial 6 weeks of training. As a result, assessment or screening is a 'must do' in order to prevent injury. Sportslab Exercise Physiologists thoroughly examine several 'hidden' dysfunctions. They typically look for spinal and extremity joint restrictions, nerve adhesions, unstable spinal discs along with muscle length, tightness and trigger point (painful knot in a muscle) identification. All are capable of causing pain, but often these pain generators are silent. Regrettably they can appear once your exercise program has begun, resulting in a frustrating halt to your exercise regime and fitness goals. Follow a comprehansive assessment, exercise progressions are often prescribed to correct any imbalances identified.

Sportslab Exercise Physiologists are also on hand to review your current training program. In recent times a number of exercise routines or practices have come into question. Are you confident you can answer the following questions?

• Stretching before exercise will prevent injuries?
• Is a 30 minute daily workout enough?
• Can I train effectively without exercise equipment?
• I do 100 sit ups a day, that covers my core stability training?
• Any form of free weight training will put your lower back at risk?
• Will slow, steady state treadmill walking effectively burn body fat?
• I keep reading about interval training, how does it work?
• Can I actually get lean with weight training?
• Will activating my buttock muscles help my lower back and knees?

Exercise Physiologists are becoming increasingly important in the delivery of health care. They are now recognised by Medicare Australia, the Department of Veterans Affairs and have recognition amongst a number of private health
insurers.