Exercise Physiology
Movement as Medicine
What Is Exercise Physiology?
Exercise physiology is an allied health profession that uses prescribed exercise to prevent, manage and treat chronic conditions, injuries and disabilities. Exercise physiologists are university-qualified professionals who understand how the body responds to physical activity and how to use that knowledge to improve health outcomes.
In Australia, Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are recognised allied health professionals registered with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). They are trained to work with people of all ages and ability levels, including those with complex medical conditions. AEPs are eligible providers for Medicare, DVA, NDIS and most private health funds.
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What Does an Exercise Physiologist Do?
An exercise physiologist designs and delivers exercise programs based on your individual health, history and goals. Unlike a personal trainer, an AEP is qualified to work with people who have medical conditions, injuries or disabilities. A typical exercise physiology service includes:
- Comprehensive health assessment: medical history, fitness testing, movement screening and goal setting
- Personalised exercise prescription: structured programs targeting your specific condition or goals
- Supervised sessions: one-on-one or small group sessions in our on-site gym and studio
- Education and behaviour change: teaching you how to move safely and stay active long term
- Progress monitoring: ongoing reassessment to make sure your program continues to challenge and benefit you
Collaboration with your other practitioners: liaising with your GP, physio, specialist and care team for joined-up care
Exercise Physiology vs Physiotherapy: What's the Difference?
Both physiotherapists and exercise physiologists are allied health professionals, and they often work together. The main differences are:
Physiotherapy
Focuses on hands-on treatment, manual therapy, dry needling and immediate symptom management. Physios are usually your first port of call after an injury, surgery or when you are experiencing acute pain.
Exercise physiology
Focuses on long-term health management through structured exercise. Exercise physiologists pick up where the acute phase ends, building strength, conditioning and resilience to prevent recurrence and manage chronic conditions over months and years.
At Bounce Back Physio, our physiotherapists and exercise physiologists work side by side, sharing notes and progressing your care from acute treatment through to long-term wellness.
Conditions and Goals We Support
Our exercise physiologists work with people across a wide range of health conditions and goals. Common areas include:
Chronic disease management
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, COPD, arthritis, osteoporosis (including our certified Onero program), chronic kidney disease and metabolic syndrome.
Injury and post-surgical rehabilitation
Return to function after orthopaedic surgery, ACL reconstruction recovery, joint replacement rehab, and progressive strength building after acute injury rehabilitation has finished with a physiotherapist.
Cancer rehabilitation and survivorship
Exercise during and after cancer treatment to manage fatigue, maintain strength, support recovery and improve quality of life. Programs are designed in line with current evidence and adjusted to where you are in your treatment journey.
Mental health support
Structured exercise as part of an evidence-based approach to managing depression, anxiety and stress, often delivered alongside our psychology service.
Pain management
Graded exercise therapy for chronic pain, fibromyalgia and persistent musculoskeletal conditions, designed to build tolerance and confidence in movement.
NDIS support
Capacity building, functional movement programs and rehabilitation for NDIS participants. We work with self-managed and plan-managed participants of all ages.
Healthy ageing and falls prevention
Strength, balance and mobility programs designed for older adults to maintain independence, prevent falls and continue doing the things you love.
Sports performance and return to sport
Strength and conditioning programs for athletes returning to sport after injury, working closely with our physios to bridge the gap from rehab to performance.
What to Expect at Your First Exercise Physiology Session
If you have never seen an exercise physiologist before, here is what your first appointment at Bounce Back will look like.
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Detailed health assessment
Your AEP will take a thorough history of your health, conditions, medications, previous activity levels and goals. They will also ask about any recent imaging, surgeries or specialist input so the program is built around your full picture.
Functional and fitness testing
Depending on your goals, your AEP may assess your strength, balance, cardiovascular fitness, posture and movement patterns. This gives a clear baseline to track your progress against.
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Personalised exercise plan
Your AEP will design a structured program tailored to your condition, capacity and goals. They will explain why each exercise is included and how it contributes to your outcomes.
Supervised exercise
You will start your program in our on-site gym or studio under the guidance of your AEP, learning correct technique and safe progressions.
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Ongoing progression and review
Your program is reviewed and progressed regularly so it continues to challenge you safely as your fitness and function improve.
Who Can Benefit from Exercise Physiology?
Exercise physiology is for people who want a structured, evidence-based approach to using exercise as part of their health care. Our Narellan clinic supports:
- People living with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and osteoporosis
- NDIS participants working towards capacity-building goals
- Older adults focused on healthy ageing, balance and falls prevention
- Cancer patients and survivors wanting to maintain strength and recovery during and after treatment
- Post-surgical patients transitioning out of acute rehab into long-term strength building
- People recovering from injury who need progressive loading and conditioning
- Anyone managing chronic pain wanting a graded movement approach
- People referred under a Medicare CDM (Chronic Disease Management) plan
DVA gold and white card holders with relevant referrals
Why Choose Bounce Back for Your Exercise Physiology
Here is what makes Bounce Back different from a standard EP service.
- Accredited Exercise Physiologists registered with ESSA
- Multidisciplinary team: EPs working alongside physios, chiros, osteos and psychologists for joined-up care
- On-site gym and studio with full equipment for supervised sessions
- Small-group rehab classes including Sports Rehab, Lifestyle Rehab and Clinical Pilates and Reformer
- Certified GLA:D™ and ONERO™ practitioners for evidence-based osteoarthritis and osteoporosis programs
- 14+ years of experience with deep roots in the local community
- One-on-one and group options so you can choose the format that suits your goals and budget
- NDIS, Medicare, DVA, WorkCover and private health all accepted
Booking, Fees and Rebates
Booking exercise physiology at Bounce Back is simple. You can book online anytime or call us on (02) 4648 1669.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed for private exercise physiology appointments. A referral or care plan is required if you are claiming through Medicare (CDM plan), DVA or WorkCover. NDIS participants can book directly with an approved plan.
What funding options do you accept?
- Medicare: rebates available with a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan from your GP, up to 5 allied health visits per year
- NDIS: self-managed and plan-managed participants welcome
- DVA: gold and white card holders with a referral
- Private health insurance: rebates with all major health funds (check your level of cover for exercise physiology)
- WorkCover: approved provider for workplace injury claims
Exercise Physiology FAQ
What is exercise physiology?
Exercise physiology is an allied health profession that uses prescribed exercise to prevent, manage and treat chronic conditions, injuries and disabilities. Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are university-qualified professionals registered with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) who design tailored exercise programs based on your specific health needs and goals.
What does an exercise physiologist do?
An exercise physiologist assesses your health, fitness and movement, then designs and delivers a personalised exercise program based on your medical history, current condition and goals. They are trained to work safely with people who have chronic conditions, injuries or disabilities, and they progress and adjust your program over time as your strength and function improve.
What is the difference between an exercise physiologist and a personal trainer?
An exercise physiologist is a university-qualified allied health professional registered with ESSA, trained to work with people who have medical conditions, injuries or disabilities. A personal trainer typically has shorter certification and is best suited to healthy individuals working on general fitness goals. Exercise physiologists can also provide services rebated through Medicare, NDIS, DVA and private health funds.
What is the difference between exercise physiology and physiotherapy?
Physiotherapists focus on hands-on treatment, manual therapy and acute injury management. Exercise physiologists focus on long-term health management through structured, progressive exercise. They often work together: a physio may treat the acute phase of an injury, then hand over to an exercise physiologist for the strength and conditioning phase.
Do I need a referral to see an exercise physiologist?
No referral is needed for private appointments. A referral or care plan is required if you want to claim through Medicare (Chronic Disease Management plan), DVA or WorkCover. NDIS participants can book directly with an approved plan.
Can I claim exercise physiology through Medicare?
Yes. If you have a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan from your GP, Medicare will cover up to 5 allied health visits per calendar year, which can include exercise physiology. Speak with your GP about whether a CDM plan is right for you.
Do you work with NDIS participants?
Yes. We work with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants of all ages. Our exercise physiologists can support capacity-building goals, functional movement, strength and rehabilitation.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your condition, goals and starting point. Some people see significant benefit from a short block of sessions to learn a program they can continue independently, while others benefit from ongoing supervised sessions long term. Your AEP will discuss recommendations after your initial assessment.