Movement With Purpose: What Exercise Physiology Is All About

A message from Shae Partington, Exercise Physiologist at Bayside Sport & Health.

What is Exercise Physiology?

A question I get asked all the time is: “So… what exactly is Exercise Physiology?”

And honestly, it’s a fair question.

Exercise Physiology is still a relatively unknown profession compared to physiotherapy or personal training, but for many people, it can be the missing link between rehabilitation, long-term health and performance.

Exercise Physiologists are university-qualified allied health professionals who specialise in using exercise and movement as medicine.

It’s not about quick fixes, generic programs or pushing people to extremes. It’s about understanding how the body responds to movement, stress, injury, pain and chronic disease and then using evidence-based exercise and education to help improve function, strength, confidence and overall quality of life.

Whether someone is recovering from injury, managing back or joint pain, living with a chronic condition, returning to exercise after years away, or striving for improved athletic performance, Exercise  Physiology provides an individualised approach that meets people where they’re  at.

At Bayside, we take a holistic and evidence-based approach to health, wellbeing and performance. Every client starts with a thorough assessment so we can create tailored plans that align with their goals, lifestyle, current capacity and long-term health.

One of the biggest challenges we’re facing today is the decline in physical activity levels across all age groups, alongside a rising prevalence of chronic disease. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that nearly 1 in 2 Australian adults are not meeting recommended physical activity guidelines, despite strong evidence that regular movement significantly reduces the risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and poor mental health outcomes.

Modern life has become increasingly sedentary. Many people spend long hours sitting at desks, working from home, commuting, or managing busy schedules that make exercise feel overwhelming or difficult to prioritise.

That’s where Exercise Physiology can make a real difference.

For many people, the hardest part isn’t knowing that movement is important, it’s knowing where to start, how to do it safely, and how to stay consistent long enough to see meaningful change.

That’s what I love most about this profession.

I genuinely believe Exercise Physiology is the best job in the world.

Every day, I get to help people move better, feel stronger, build confidence and achieve goals they once thought weren’t possible. Sometimes those goals are performance-based, like returning to running or sport. Other times, it’s being able to walk without pain, improve balance, play with grandchildren, or simply feel more confident in everyday life.

Those wins matter just as much.

Watching people regain trust in their bodies and realise what they’re capable of is incredibly rewarding.

Exercise Physiology services are also claimable through private health and are covered under funding schemes such as:

Medicare

NDIS

DVA

WorkCover

Aged Care packages

From Rehab to Performance

One of the things I value most about Exercise Physiology is that it supports people through every stage of their journey, from rehabilitation all the way through to high performance.

That’s something I’ve experienced personally over the past five years, particularly following my retirement from high-level AFL football last year. After multiple season-ending injuries throughout my career, my focus shifted fully toward recovery, rebuilding, and re-establishing strong foundations.

For a while, returning to running or sport felt uncertain. But through consistent rehab, structured strength work, and the support of the incredible community around me, I’m now preparing to run the Gold Coast Marathon this July.

It’s been a powerful reminder that progress is rarely linear. Setbacks are part of the process, but with the right support and approach, movement can become empowering again.

The collaborative care at Bayside Sport & Health has played a huge role in that journey. Working alongside our chiropractors, physiotherapists, remedial massage therapists, podiatrists and acupuncturist has reinforced just how valuable a team-based approach can be when it comes to recovery, performance and long-term health.

It’s also why I genuinely believe so strongly in what we do here.

I get to practice what I preach every day and be surrounded by an amazing team of allied health professionals.

Athlete Benchmark Assessment

This experience has also directly inspired the development of our Athlete Benchmark Assessment. Our comprehensive 90-minute assessment is designed for runners of all levels, as well as athletes across a range of sports. It combines detailed history-taking with advanced strength, endurance, mobility, and movement analysis to identify the key factors influencing performance, efficiency, recovery, and injury risk.

Using industry-leading technology, including VALD ForceDecks and DynaMo, we provide objective, data-driven insights to help guide training, rehabilitation and long-term athletic development.

Whether you’re returning from injury, chasing a performance goal, or simply wanting to better understand how your body moves and performs, this assessment provides a clear benchmark along with individualised recommendations to support your progress.

On a personal level, this work means a lot to me. Having experienced multiple long-term injuries myself, I understand what it feels like to be in rehab, to rebuild confidence in your body, and to navigate the uncertainty that comes with return to sport. It’s what drives me to create a space where people feel supported, understood, and guided with care that is both evidence-based and genuinely individualised.

Community in Motion

One of the best parts of the past few months has been watching the Bayside community continue to grow.

A huge shoutout to:

Erica F

Rob & Lyn

Anne C

…who have all attended 10+ classes over the past two months

.

Beyond the consistency, the improvements have been incredible to watch. Increased strength, improved balance, better range of motion and, most importantly, making everyday life feel easier and more enjoyable.

But it’s not just the physical changes that stand out.

It’s the community.

People showing up for themselves and for each other week after week creates an environment that feels supportive, welcoming and motivating, regardless of age, experience or fitness level.

We’re also excited to have our Open Gym officially up and running, giving clients even more opportunities to move, train and build confidence in a supportive environment. Call the clinic on 8376 2000 to find out more about our open gym!

Bayside Run Club

We’ve also officially ticked over three months of Bayside Run Club.

To everyone who has joined us so far, thank you.

Nothing beats community, connection and consistent movement, and Adelaide’s autumn weather has certainly delivered some perfect running mornings along the way.

The best part? We’re only getting started.

Run Club will continue throughout winter, and we’d love to see even more people get involved. Whether you’re training for an event, returning to movement, or simply looking for a supportive group to move with.

And if running isn’t your thing, we also have a walking group.

These past three months have been incredibly rewarding. Getting to know the Bayside community and working alongside such an incredible team has been something I truly value.

As a Glengowrie local myself, I’m passionate about providing high-quality, outcomes-driven care to the community around me.

Because sometimes the hardest part is simply getting started and it’s always easier when you do it together.

If you’ve been curious about Exercise Physiology or wondering where to begin with your health and movement goals, I’d love to help.

Shae Partington

Exercise Physiologist & Sport Scientist

A Message from the Bayside Team

From July 1st, there will be a small adjustment to our consultation fees. This change allows us to continue providing the high-quality care and service you know and trust. We appreciate your ongoing support and understanding.