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Faculty of Health Sciences

School of Exercise Science

Exercise Science Clinics


Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) School of Exercise Science will have Exercise Physiology Clinics as on all three campuses (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) by the end of 2012, offering preventive and rehabilitative services to the surrounding community. The Clinics provide education and training opportunities for both postgraduate and undergraduate students, utilising the expertise and research knowledge of its staff members to provide a service that is grounded in current exercise and sports science research and practice.

In Melbourne, the School’s rehabilitation facility opened in February 2006. In 2012, Sydney will open its Exercise Physiology Clinic on the Strathfield campus, while a multi-disciplinary allied health clinic will open on the Brisbane campus that will include Exercise Physiology facilities. The Clinics will provide specialist exercise services for people referred to the centre with chronic diseases, injuries or disabilities. The Clinics will also support postgraduate students completing the Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology and provide valuable opportunities for learning and practical application of knowledge. Students will be supervised by Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) to design and implement individualised exercise programs in a friendly and fun environment.


The location of the facilities provide opportunities to form close collaborations with surrounding medical and health professionals. In fostering a team approach, and with close liaising with local surgeons, general practitioners and allied health practitioners, the Clinics aim to provide an exceptional pre and post operative service, lifestyle and behaviour modification processes to facilitate the best possible outcome for its clients.

Clinic clients being put through their paces 

The emphasis on preventative rehabilitation is a particular focus of the Clinics. It is well established that preoperative exercise therapy and training improves muscle strength, function and weight loss, commonly delaying the need for surgical intervention, and occasionally preventing it entirely. In addition, the Clinics offer exercise intervention as a preventative and management tool in chronic disease management. The Clinics actively encourage preventative strategies for patients, delivering them in a safe and supportive environment, whilst retaining data to pursue government and health fund support.

Similarly, post operative exercise therapy has established clear benefits in rehabilitating surgical patients. Decreased healing time, morbidity and mortality, and improved functional independence, mental state and overall wellbeing have all been demonstrated. Despite this, outpatient rehabilitation services are under-utilised by most post-surgical patients with chronic illnesses. In addressing this deficiency, the Clinics can provide a vital role to the community in ensuring post surgical patients as well as those with chronic illness, receive affordable and adequate rehabilitative care, enabling each to reach their full potential.

The goal of the Exercise Science Clinics at ACU therefore is to improve the quality of life of its clients. The Clinics and their services help them return to the highest level of independence possible within their home, at their job and in the community.