On your side;

Exercise physiology is all about understanding how your body responds to movement — and using that knowledge to help you move better, feel stronger, and live with less pain. It blends science and practicality, looking at how exercise affects key systems in the body like your heart and lungs, muscles and joints, and overall physical capacity.

So what does an exercise physiologist actually do?

At Healthside, our exercise physiologists use this understanding to design individualised exercise programs that are built around you — your injury history, your health needs, and your life goals. These programs may support rehabilitation, reduce injury risk, improve performance, and enhance overall health and function.

Exercise physiology often forms the next step in your care journey. If you’re dealing with injury, persistent pain, or a complex condition, initial hands-on treatment from a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or podiatrist may be recommended first. Managing pain and symptoms is a priority — because progress is hard when pain is holding you back.

Once symptoms are under control (as much as possible), an exercise physiologist steps in to help you build strength, confidence, and long-term resilience through targeted movement. The goal isn’t just recovery — it’s helping you return to what matters most to you, safely and sustainably.

Exercise physiology supports people across all ages, abilities, and stages of life. At Healthside, our focus is simple: using movement as a tool to improve function, independence, and quality of life — whether that’s through funded supports or private care.

NDIS Participants:

Exercise physiology plays a valuable role in supporting NDIS participants to build capacity and maintain independence. Our accredited exercise physiologists work with participants living with physical, neurological, intellectual, and psychosocial conditions to develop individualised, goal-driven programs.

These programs may support:

• Improved strength, balance, and mobility

• Increased functional independence in daily activities

• Injury prevention and long-term physical capacity

• Confidence with movement and community participation

All programs are aligned with NDIS goals and can be delivered in-clinic, at home, or in the community, depending on individual needs.

DVA Clients:

For DVA clients, exercise physiology focuses on long-term physical function, symptom management, and sustainable movement. Our team understands the complexities that can come with service-related injuries and chronic conditions.

Exercise physiology may assist with:

• Chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions

• Post-injury or post-surgical rehabilitation

• Improving strength, conditioning, and tolerance to activity

• Supporting mental and physical resilience through movement

Programs are tailored, progressive, and designed to support real-world function — not just exercises for the sake of it.

Athletes & Active Individuals:

From recreational athletes to competitive sport, exercise physiology can help improve performance, durability, and recovery. Programs are designed to enhance strength, endurance, agility, and movement efficiency while reducing injury risk and supporting return-to-sport goals.

Injury & Post-Surgical Rehabilitation:

If you’re recovering from injury or surgery, exercise physiology bridges the gap between treatment and full return to function. Our exercise physiologists work alongside your healthcare providers to deliver structured, progressive rehabilitation that restores strength, mobility, and confidence.

Chronic & Complex Health Conditions:

Exercise physiology is commonly used to support people managing long-term health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory conditions, obesity, and persistent pain. Targeted exercise can help manage symptoms, improve physical capacity, and enhance overall quality of life.

Older Adults & Healthy Ageing:

As we age, staying active becomes essential for maintaining independence. Exercise physiology supports healthy ageing by improving balance, strength, mobility, and confidence — helping reduce falls risk and maintain participation in everyday life.

Women’s Health:

Exercise physiology can support women through pregnancy, post-partum recovery, pelvic health concerns, and common musculoskeletal issues such as hip or lower back pain. Sessions are tailored to the individual, empowering women to move confidently and manage the changing demands of life.

Exercise Physiologist:

An exercise physiologist (EP) specialises in using exercise as a form of treatment. Their role is to understand how your body responds to movement and then prescribe individualised, evidence-based exercise programs to improve strength, function, capacity, and long-term health.

At Healthside, exercise physiology is commonly used to support:

NDIS participants
Exercise Physiologists help NDIS participants build physical capacity, improve independence, and work toward meaningful functional goals. Programs are tailored to individual abilities and delivered in a structured, supportive environment — in clinic, at home, or in the community.

DVA clients
For DVA clients, Exercise Physiology focuses on managing chronic conditions, rebuilding physical capacity, and supporting long-term function. Programs are practical, progressive, and designed to translate into everyday life.

Everyone else
You may benefit from seeing an Exercise Physiologist if:

• You want to improve strength, fitness, or performance

• You’re recovering from injury or surgery and need a structured return-to-function plan

• You’re managing a chronic condition through exercise

• You want a personalised program that considers injuries, pain, or limitations

• You want to move with more confidence and resilience long term

Physiotherapist:

A Physiotherapist focuses on the acute phases of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of injury and pain, similarly to Osteopaths. They commonly use hands-on techniques, movement retraining, and therapeutic interventions to reduce pain, restore mobility, and address acute or complex injuries.

When should you see an Exercise Physiologist?

Exercise Physiology is most valuable when the goal is to build capacity, restore function, and create long-term change through movement — whether that’s after pain is better managed, or when exercise is the primary treatment approach.

While Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists may work alongside each other in broader healthcare settings, their roles are distinct. At Healthside, our focus is squarely on using exercise to support recovery, independence, and lifelong physical health.