What Is Exercise Physiology?

Exercise physiology is an allied health service that uses individualised exercise and physical activity to support people with chronic and complex conditions, disability, injury recovery, and reduced physical capacity.

What Exercise Physiology can help with

Exercise Physiology uses clinically prescribed exercise to support health, function and participation. Your Exercise Physiologist will tailor a program to your goals, symptoms, medical history, and capacity—and progress it safely over time.

Rehabilitation and reconditioning

• Strength and mobility after injury or flare-ups

• Return to exercise after time off (gym confidence and safe progression)

• Post-surgical or post-hospital reconditioning (in collaboration with your treating team)

Chronic conditions and long-term health

Exercise physiology support may help people managing:

• Type 2 diabetes

• Cardiometabolic risk factors (fitness, strength, routine building)

• Persistent pain and deconditioning

• Fatigue-aware exercise programming (graded activity, pacing strategies)

Falls prevention and balance confidence

We support people who feel unsteady, have reduced confidence walking, or want structured strength and balance training.

• Balance retraining and lower limb strength programs

• Safe progressions for stairs, transfers, and walking tolerance

• Falls-risk aware strength and mobility routines

NDIS exercise physiology and disability support

We support self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants, focusing on functional goals such as:

• Strength and endurance for daily life

• Community access and participation

• Movement confidence and routines

• Capacity-building for long-term independence

Workplace rehabilitation and injury prevention (when appropriate)

Exercise physiology may be used to support:

• Return-to-work & post motor vehicle accident conditioning and graded capacity building

• Strength and tolerance for physical job demands

• Injury risk reduction strategies aligned to role requirements & workplace early intervention

How Exercise Physiology May Help

Exercise physiology does not replace medical care. Instead, it may support people whose health condition, disability, recovery needs, or reduced capacity are affecting their physical function and participation.

Depending on the individual, exercise physiology may assist with:

Strength and Endurance

Support with gradual, tailored exercise programs aimed at improving physical capacity, stamina and movement confidence.

Chronic Condition Support

Exercise physiology may form part of a broader support plan for people living with long-term health conditions where exercise is clinically appropriate.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

Exercise physiology may be relevant for some people recovering from injury, illness, surgery, hospitalisation, cancer treatment, or extended inactivity, where a graded return to movement and function is appropriate.

Disability and Functional Support

For some people living with disability, exercise physiology may help support strength, physical participation, confidence with movement and functional capacity, depending on the person’s goals and presentation.

Healthy Ageing

Older adults may benefit from individualised exercise support to maintain strength, mobility, balance confidence, endurance and general physical wellbeing.

Confidence with Movement

Some people need support to begin moving again safely after a long period of inactivity, pain, illness, or reduced confidence. Exercise physiology can help create a realistic starting point and build from there.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is Exercise Physiology?

Exercise physiology is an allied health service that uses structured, individualised exercise to support people with chronic conditions, disability, injury recovery, and reduced physical capacity.

Q: Do you provide Exercise Physiology across Perth?

Yes. Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health provides exercise physiology services for people across Perth, with clinic appointments and mobile services available where suitable.

Q: Can I have Exercise Physiology at home?

In some cases, yes. Mobile exercise physiology may be available depending on your location, therapist availability, and whether home-based support is clinically appropriate.

Q: Do I need to be fit before seeing an Exercise Physiologist?

No. Exercise physiology is often helpful for people who are starting from reduced capacity, recovering from illness or injury, managing chronic conditions, or needing support to exercise safely.

Q: What is the role of an Exercise Physiologist?

An exercise physiologist designs and implements clinical exercise programs to help individuals prevent or manage chronic diseases, recover from injury, and improve their overall health. Unlike personal trainers, they work with patients who have specific health conditions or physical limitations.

Q: What conditions can Exercise Physiology help manage?

Exercise physiology can assist with the management of several chronic conditions, including:

Type 2 Diabetes

Cardiovascular disease

Osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders

Chronic pain

Respiratory conditions like COPD

Neurological disorders, including Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's Disease (PD)

Q: Is Exercise Physiology covered by Medicare?

Yes, exercise physiology is covered by Medicare for eligible patients. You’ll need a referral from your GP under a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM), which allows you to access up to 5 subsidised sessions. There is another plan that enables you to 8 x Medicare sessions of exercise if you are a Type 2 Diabetic. This enables you to have an assessment sessions, with 8 supervised exercise sessions in our rehabilitation gym.

Q: How is Exercise Physiology different from Physiotherapy?

While both exercise physiologists and physiotherapists work to improve physical health, exercise physiology focuses on designing exercise programs for chronic disease management and fitness improvement. Physiotherapy tends to focus on hands-on treatment and rehabilitation after injuries or surgeries.

Q: Can I access Exercise Physiology under NDIS?

Yes, Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health is able to provide services to self and plan-managed NDIS  participants, and our exercise physiology services are available for individuals with NDIS funding. We work with people with disabilities to create exercise programs that improve strength, mobility, and independence. We can see participants who are self or plan managed.

Q: Can  Exercise Physiologist's help with weight loss?

Yes, our exercise physiologists create tailored exercise programs to support weight loss and improve overall fitness. We take into account your health status, medical history, and personal goals to ensure the program is safe and effective.

Q: Do you offer Exercise Physiology “near me” in Perth?

We provide Exercise Physiology from our Malaga clinic, and many clients travel from across Perth. Mobile visits may also be available depending on location and clinical suitability.

Q: Do I need a referral?

Not always—you can self-refer for private appointments. Some funding pathways (e.g., Medicare) require GP referral paperwork.

Q: Can you help if I’m nervous about exercise?

Yes. Many people start with a gentle, structured plan and build confidence over time. We progress exercises safely and at a pace that matches your capacity.

Q: Do you see older adults?

Yes. Exercise physiology may support older adults with strength, endurance, mobility, balance confidence and general physical capacity as part of healthy ageing or function-focused support.

Q: Do you only offer exercise physiology?

No. We also provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology, so clients can access broader allied health support where needed.

Our Mobile Therapy Services

Our Commitment to NDIS Participants

At Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health, we understand how important it is for participants and families to access support that is respectful, practical and tailored to individual goals.

We provide care that is:

• person-centred

• goal-focused

• tailored to the participant’s daily life

• available in clinic or mobile formats where suitable

• connected to broader allied health supports when needed

We know that every participant’s plan and circumstances are different, so we aim to make the process as clear and supportive as possible.

Important Funding Information

The NDIS may fund therapy supports where they relate to the participant’s disability and meet plan and funding criteria. The NDIA makes the final decision about what is funded. Supports recommended by a clinician are not automatically funded simply because they are recommended.

Who We Can Support

We are equipped to support: self-managed NDIS participants & plan-managed NDIS participants. If a participant is NDIA-managed, they generally need to use registered providers.

Important disclaimer: This webpage contains general information only and is not intended to be relied upon as personal clinical advice. While we aim to keep information accurate and up to date, it may not reflect the most current research or your individual circumstances. Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health does not accept liability for decisions made based on this information without an individualised assessment by an appropriately qualified health professional. If you have concerns, please contact us to book an assessment or speak with your GP/medical team.