
The Role of Clinical Exercise Physiologists in Managing Chronic Diseases
The expert in clinical exercise physiology supports reducing burden in the health care system by delivering rehabilitation exercises for chronic disease management. In Australia (AUS), where they are classified as health care workers, this is very clear. It has been demonstrated that clinical exercise physiologists lessen the financial strain that chronic illnesses place on national health departments as well as the physical toll that they take on people. Chronic diseases are long lasting conditions that impact people’s bodies and just generally, their quality of life. In this blog we will examine the role of clinical exercise physiologists providing chronic disease management.
Chronic Disease Management Vs Exercise Physiology
Chronic disease is one of the main causes of death in Australia and world wide. Physical inactivity is thought to be one of the major reasons fueling up the chronic diseases. Regular exercise can assist in managing persistent symptoms as well as improving general health. This is why clinical exercise physiology is advantageous for chronic disease management plans. These diseases can develop at any age, usually progress gradually, and have complex causes. Some examples of chronic disease include:
Diabetes
Obesity
Arthritis
Lung and respiratory conditions eg. asthma
Cardiovascular conditions
Mental Illness
Chronic pain
Exercise Physiology's Function in the Treatment of Chronic Illnesses
There is no one-size-fits-all gym program when it comes to exercise physiology. Supporting long-term, sustainable health gains is the aim of this medical approach to movement as medicine. People with chronic diseases can be treated by clinical exercise physiology in the following ways.
1. Boosting Physical Performance
Almost all the chronic diseases could lead to weakened strength, balance, and endurance in patients. Routine tasks such as climbing stairs, walking, managing home become difficult for patients. It is necessary to gain back some of the muscle strength with exercise plans. Targeted exercises are used by exercise physiologists to:
Regain muscle strength and flexibility
Emphasize on exercises good for heart health
Correcting posture and mobility
Minimizing the chances of deconditioning triggered by inactivity
These functional capacity evaluation and treatment ease people to freely lead a normal life with reduced chances of any prolonged risks or injuries.
2. Avoids Hospitalisations and Complications
Exercise physiology education at an early age can help avoid issues like fractures and falls, muscle atrophy,and deterioration in heart health. These chronic disease management plans help people to rule out the chances of secondary chronic illnesses like diabetes brought on by obesity. The results include better long-term health conditions and less chance of hospital stays.
3. Encourages Disease-Specific Results
Exercise has varying effects on different conditions. Programs created by AEPs target the unique clinical outcomes of every chronic illness. For instance:
Cardiovascular disease: Plans from clinical exercise physiology help people to reduce blood pressure levels and make the heart works well.
Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is one of the prevailing chronic conditions in women especially after menopause. Exercise physiology has a great importance to manage bone-related conditions such as osteoporosis. Providing weight-bearing exercise plans and resistance training makes bone density better and eventually lower the chances of fractures.
Diabetes mellitus type 2: Exercise is ideal to manage weight and lessen blood glucose levels.
COPD: Exercises plans such as aerobic exercise enhances lungs capacity and lower the chances of dyspnoea.
Parkinson's disease: Movement exercises help with coordination, gait, and preventing falls.
4. Lessens Inflammation and Pain
Contrary to conventional opinion, chronic pain can be lessened by mild, planned clinical exercise physiology. It is beneficial to release endorphins, which are natural substances that reduce pain. Helps to boost the lubrication of joints, build up the muscles supporting aching joints. Exercise physiology works well to lower inflammation, stress, and stiffness of muscles.
For ailments including osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and persistent lower back pain, this is especially helpful.
5. Promotes Mental Wellness
Managing a chronic illness can be emotionally taxing. Exercise has been demonstrated to:
Diminish the signs of anxiety and despair
Boost the quality of your sleep
Boost your self-esteem and mood
Establish a feeling of consistency and achievement
Clinical exercise physiologists frequently include techniques to assist with stress reduction, emotional control, and behaviour modification, therefore mental health is a crucial component of the therapeutic strategy.
How are Chronic Disorders Treated by Clinical Exercise Physiologists?
To guarantee that your particular ailment is adequately handled, an exercise physiologist will create customised exercise plans that include a variety of resistance and aerobic exercises. They concentrate on giving our patients workouts that are realistic, doable, and useful while putting a strong emphasis on evidence-based practices. They frequently offer
lessen the condition's symptoms
lessen the disease's severity
Increase your level of independence
Boost your standard of living
The demand for clinical exercise physiologists increased in cardiac rehabilitation programs due to its potential to treat heart problems. Exercise physiologists have developed cardiac rehabilitation programs that have shown great success. Plans provided there include, altering exercise and physical activity techniques, preventing or lowering the chances of subsequent cardiac arrest, improving circulation, exercise tolerance, and muscle atrophy, and good quality of life Clinical exercise physiology is found to dramatically lower risk factors for comorbidities in this patient population.
Long-Term Effects of Exercise Physiotherapy on Health
People who follow exercise physiology programs designed for the management of chronic diseases often experience significant increases in their strength, stamina, and flexibility over time. Professional exercise physiologists create these customized chronic diseases management plans to meet your unique requirements and constraints. Thus, enhances the treatment of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Summary
The study of clinical exercise physiology emphasizes on how patients can be cured from physical activity to become healthier. It also includes how exercise can be used to cure chronic medical conditions. This kind of practice is very helpful for many different health problems, but it is especially excellent for managing chronic diseases. Exercise is strongly advised for individuals who do have chronic illnesses since many exercise physiologists research its potential to slow or even reverse the progression of disease.