Enquiries about the professional degree
in exercise physiology offerred at the University of Wollongong (Australia)
are expected to soar thanks to a recent decision by the Minister for
Health and Ageing, Mr Tony Abbott.
Mr Abbott's decision is being hailed as setting the standard
for world-wide health
care because the Australian Federal Government has decided to include
the services of university trained exercise physiologists under Medicare’s
allied health measure.
From 1 January 2006, exercise physiologists will
be among
the allied
health professionals able to provide Medicare services to people with
chronic and complex illnesses. Exercise physiologists provide exercise therapy to prevent and assist
in the management of chronic diseases. They can improve the health of
people with chronic and complex medical conditions such as diabetes,
obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and arthritis. They can also
help patients with dementia, osteoporosis and depression, as well as
people who have had a stroke, and do so by tailoring the exercise prescription
to the current needs of the individual.
Head of Biomedical Science at the University of Wollongong, Associate
Professor Paul Else, commented on a successful project completed in 2004,
targeting people recently diagnosed with diabetes which, in collaboration
with Illawarra Division of General Practice, provided evidence of how
exercise can be used to improve the health of individuals.
The project conducted by Master of Science student, Mr Chris Tsar, in
groundbreaking research, showed conclusively that exercise could be used
to:
- control blood sugar levels,
- improve cardiovascular parameters,
- increase
strength and condition and
- improve mood in the group studied.
This
research project has now developed into an ongoing program
through the Illawarra
Division of General Practice with GPs referring patients
(particularly those with Type-2 diabetes) to a program that offers
individualised
exercise prescription able to be carried out at home or through
the Beaton Park
Leisure Centre. The exercise intervention is monitored by
students of Exercise Science. Professor Else said that the Government’s decision was undoubtedly
influenced by the very high level of support from the Illawarra Division
of General Practice, from the Divisions of Practice in general, and from
the Australian College of General Practice, and would have an enormous
impact on increasing the recognition of the profession.
Professor Else said the announcement could be credited to the work of
the professional body, the Australian Association for Exercise and Sport
Science, with which UOW through its students and staff has had a long-standing
connection.
News is included
on this website to inform visitors about current health issues, but not
to endorse
any particular view or activity. Material in this news item
was first released by The University of Wollongong (Australia)
on 12th September 2005. For further information, please visit
their
website using the link below. |
