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What is an Exercise Physiologist?

Exercise Physiologists (EP) are specialists in the clinical application of exercise for people with a variety of health issues or those at risk of developing medical conditions or injuries. The overarching aim of working with an EP is to use exercise prescription to prevent or manage acute or chronic conditions and revive optimal physical function. 

What does seeing an EP look like? ​

In short, it’s exercise! The long explanation is its exercise prescription with purpose and supervision. Normally, an EP session will take place in a gym where there is access to equipment and resources for the EP to access. 

When working with an Exercise Physiologist, the EP will perform observational assessments and common testing protocols at the beginning of the veteran’s initial session, forming a picture of how the veteran moves and how the injuries are impacting their everyday life.

During the session, the EP will observe and correct exercises as veterans perform them. The EP will also prescribe exercises for the veteran to perform in a self-directed manner helping them to develop a sense of how to apply exercise in their daily life.   

Often injuries can be worsened if incorrect exercise is applied. This is why working with an EP means that veterans have a greater chance of achieving their optimal outcome.

What does seeing an EP look like? ​

In short, it’s exercise! The long explanation is its exercise prescription with purpose and supervision. Normally, an EP session will take place in a gym where there is access to equipment and resources for the EP to access. 

When working with an Exercise Physiologist, the EP will perform observational assessments and common testing protocols at the beginning of the veteran’s initial session, forming a picture of how the veteran moves and how the injuries are impacting their everyday life.

During the session, the EP will observe and correct exercises as veterans perform them. The EP will also prescribe exercises for the veteran to perform in a self-directed manner helping them to develop a sense of how to apply exercise in their daily life.   

Often injuries can be worsened if incorrect exercise is applied. This is why working with an EP means that veterans have a greater chance of achieving their optimal outcome.

What conditions can an EP work with?

There are multiple conditions that EP’s are able to work with and not all of them are just physical. While having something like; 

  • Knee pain
  • Shoulder pain 
  • Or Lower back pain 

Can be helped with exercise prescription. Exercise Physiologists are also able to work with conditions like; 

  • Diabetes management 
  • Heart disease 
  • Chronic pain 
  • Or PTSD, depression and anxiety 

What conditions can an EP work with?

There are multiple conditions that EP’s are able to work with and not all of them are just physical. While having something like; 

  • Knee pain
  • Shoulder pain 
  • Or Lower back pain 

Can be helped with exercise prescription. Exercise Physiologists are also able to work with conditions like; 

  • Diabetes management 
  • Heart disease 
  • Chronic pain 
  • Or PTSD, depression and anxiety 

There are many research articles that support exercise as a way to improve the symptoms of mental health conditions [read more sources on the topic here, here or here] and at VBA we know that the research supports exercise for veterans managing their chronic conditions. 


There are some additional benefits that working with an EP in a gym setting can have like;

  • Building confidence 
  • Creating community 
  • Developing healthy routines
  • Exposure to other therapies
 

Many veterans that we speak to tell us that the community bonds that they build through working with an EP in a gym environment mean so much to them, where they were once isolated they are now taking part in activities and meeting like-minded veterans who support and push them to stay active.

There are many research articles that support exercise as a way to improve the symptoms of mental health conditions [read more sources on the topic here, here or here] and at VBA we know that the research supports exercise for veterans managing their chronic conditions. 

 

There are some additional benefits that working with an EP in a gym setting can have like; 

  • Building confidence 
  • Creating community 
  • Developing healthy routines
  • Exposure to other therapies
 

Many veterans that we speak to tell us that the community bonds that they build through working with an EP in a gym environment mean so much to them, where they were once isolated they are now taking part in activities and meeting like-minded veterans who support and push them to stay active.

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