Comparing Exercise Physiology and Personal Training for NDIS Participants
Longevity is proud to have provided both personal training and exercise physiology services for over 10 years to all different types of populations, from athletes to those with disabilities we have staff who are trained, experienced and ready to help.
When it comes to NDIS participants, both personal training and exercise physiology is offered, but we thought it would be valuable to point out some of the differences in services.
Exercise physiology requires a minimum 4-year full time undergraduate degree, or 2-year full time Master’s degree followed by an accreditation process by the governing body, Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA). During this degree, we learn:
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Various conditions and pathologies
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Musculoskeletal disorders and injury prevention/management
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Contraindications to specific types of exercise (what is bad for you based on your condition) to keep you safe
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Exercise prescription based on disability along with the expected outcome of our treatment
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Medications, and side effects from medications, that will affect your exercise and your progress
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The role and responsibilities of each member of a care team and how to coordinate essential communication between these members (E.g. GP’s, specialists, physiotherapists, etc)
This does not include the components of becoming an exercise scientist, which is the most difficult and rigorous personal training certification to obtain, teaching you anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, physics and exercise programming over the long term. Becoming an exercise scientist allows you to work with elite athletes, olympians, and all healthy populations. Becoming an exercise scientist is a prerequisite to become an exercise physiologist.
Exercise Physiologist’s can provide treatment to NDIS participants in both the Improved Daily Living and Health and Wellbeing Supports Categories. They specialise in prescribing exercise to improve function and make Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) easier.
Personal training requirements largely depend on the organisation that the personal trainer chooses to obtain their certification, but usually includes the following:
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18 weeks of training/work experience in general exercise prescription for fitness improvements in healthy populations
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Benefits of strength and aerobic training for healthy people
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How to instruct exercises
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Recognising scope of practice regarding nutrition advice
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How to run your own small business
As you can see, there can be great benefits from training with a personal trainer but their core requirement for exercising those with chronic conditions is very little, if any. In contrast, an exercise physiologist has spent several years to learn how to improve your capacity, keep you safe and improve your life. For those with a disability, exercise is much more than becoming a little fitter; exercise can change your life.
