Exercise Physiologist
What the work is
Assesses, plans and implements exercise-based health interventions for the prevention, treatment and management of diseases and injuries such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, depression and autism, and assists in restoring optimal physical function, health and wellness.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Assists and improves clients' musculoskeletal function through physical activity and exercise programs
- Administers a variety of tests to identify and assess physical problems and ailments of clients
- Records detailed client medical histories, exercise undertaken and clients' responses and progress under exercise programs
- Prevents, treats and manages health conditions, including complex chronic conditions
- Prescribes, implements and evaluates safe and effective movement, physical activity, and exercise-based interventions to facilitate recovery and maximise independence and participation in activities at home, school, work and in the community
- Provides education and advice on health and wellbeing, and how physical activity and exercise can improve health outcomes
- Screens and assesses for factors that may impact client needs, preferences, barriers and facilitators to inform recommendations and interventions
- Uses active therapy techniques to assess and prescribe a targeted clinical exercise and education program that builds the clients' capacity for the long term
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a community health clinic with a small gym room, and a local football club. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A client who was frightened to exercise walks the length of the room without help
- An athlete returns to the field after a long recovery, and you were part of it
- A client says they have started doing their exercises at home without being asked
Hard days
- A client who feels ashamed that they have not done their exercises
- Pressure from a coach or parent to speed up a recovery
- Writing detailed notes for each person while the next one waits
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 262231, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.