Among several other physical assessments at the workplace, exercise physiology is the study of the way your body responds to movements and adapts to physical activities. It evaluates the way in which exercise impacts the functioning of the heart, lungs, bones, muscles, the nervous system, and overall energy levels.  

There are several positive impacts of exercise physiology services, such as maintaining workplace health and safety, planning return-to-work, chronic disease management, and so on. By gathering information related to the physical abilities of your workers, you can promote a safer and healthier well-being of the employees in the workplace. Physical assessments like these help employers ensure that each person attains meaningful improvements in their overall strength, confidence, and mobility.  

These kinds of assessments are a part of the broader pre-employment assessments conducted at the workplace by professional health clinics like Knight Health. We help Australian employers ensure optimal physical and mental wellness of the workforce for a productive and safe workplace according to the Australian health and safety regulations.  

What Does Exercise Physiology Include? 

A professional who conducts exercise physiology evaluates how a person moves and responds to varied levels of physical activity. Based on a close examination of the candidate’s physical and medical record, current symptoms, lifestyle patterns, and job role requirements, the exercise physiologists plan the program.  

This kind of assessment helps employers evaluate well regarding the potential of an employee and where support is required. It also serves as a baseline in helping employers suggest the needed exercise, such as: 

  • Mobility exercises for improving joint movements.  
  • Improving muscle strength with strength training activities. 
  • Balancing activities to minimize the risk of falls. 
  • Promoting body flexibility with stretching and workout routines. 
  • Job role-specific activities, such as walking, heavy lifting, standing for long hours, etc.  

Exercise Physiology for Workplace Rehabilitation 

Workplace injuries or accidents can have a substantial impact on the physical strength, movement, confidence, and completion of task duties for an individual. Delayed treatment can increase health risks; early returning to work can increase the chances of reinjury, and staying inactive for a long period can result in delayed recovery. 

This is where exercise physiology services provide a middle ground. By assessing the current capacity of your workforce with assistance from occupational health professionals, a progressive physical improvement plan can be outlined. This is planned in such a way that it reflects the duties of the job role and aligns with the physical caliber of the employee. 

For instance, there might be lifting activities planned for a warehouse worker who needs to improve his/her carrying capacity. Whereas, for an office worker, there might be activities arranged for better physical posture as they must sit or stand for a long time. 

Additionally, outline workplace-focused programs that account for calculated risks, simulated tasks, functional conditioning, workplace compliance, and other specifics. This kind of well-defined program can help use improvements as an indicator of workers’ physical fitness progress. These improvements can be better lifting strength, walking tolerance, movement control, and so on.  

How Can Knight Health’s Exercise Physiology Services Help? 

Knight Health medical professionals combine their expertise with custom solutions that are designed to support the specific needs of employers and the capacity of the employees. We try to achieve a balance for both parties involved in the assessments. We offer a wide range of pre-employment medical assessments, and exercise physiology services are one of them. 

Our accredited physiologists work closely with individuals to understand their physical medical record and with employers to understand their requirements for the job role. Based on this, a customised plan is then outlined, including a comprehensive assessment, structured rehabilitation, and return-to-work program, and metrics to measure improvement.  

Clear reports help outline the actual capacity of the individual and match a suitable role for them, with additional support provided if required. This not only promotes the long-term health of the workers but also reduces absenteeism rates and resulting insurance claims. It also sets a positive reputation for the employer, with respect to their compliance in ensuring workplace health and safety.  

Final Thoughts 

Consider exercise physiology as a practical tool that helps improve the physical health of workers in the workplace. This includes improvement in health, physical capacity, and overall job performance. Whether you are making a new hire, assessing your current team, or preparing employees to return to work, professional guidance from the health providers at Knight Health can make these more purposeful. 

Have a tailored exercise physiology program outlined with Knight Health professionals and create a safe and sustainable workplace.