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A Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) is a specialist in designing and implementing exercise, lifestyle, and behavioural modification programs to prevent, manage, and rehabilitate chronic diseases and injuries.
Key aspects of care provided by CEPs include thorough health assessments, exercise prescription, monitoring and support, education and lifestyle change, and support for self-management and self-efficacy. CEPs offer a 4-12 week Exercise Intervention Program (one-to-one) for clients, which can be conducted in a gym, pool, or at home and costs approximately $1200 plus consumables. The program includes pre-assessments, an individualized exercise program, weekly sessions of 60 minutes, and post-assessments sent to the client's GP and the client.
General guidelines for adults and older adults recommend engaging in aerobic activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, or dancing for a minimum of 150 minutes per week at a moderate intensity, or 75 minutes per week at a vigorous intensity, with further health benefits potentially achieved by increasing to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity. Muscle strengthening activities, such as body weight exercises, bands, or weight machines, should be performed at least two days per week.
In New Zealand, 34% of adults are obese
In New Zealand, 34% of adults are obese, with rates of 50% among Maori, 71% among Pacific peoples, and 30% among Pakeha. Obesity also affects 12% of children in the country and has seen a 7% increase in prevalence from 2006/07 to 2020/21, with a cost of 2 billion per year, or 8% of the total health budget. As a result, one-third of adult New Zealanders have diabetes or are at risk of developing the condition. Exercise & Sport Science Australia (ESSA) engaged Deloitte Access Economics in 2015 to assess the value of exercise physiologists to the public. It found that for every $1.00 spent on their services, there is an economic benefit of $10.50 per individual through improved well-being, increased workplace productivity, and reduced burden on the public healthcare system.
THINK Hauora is a Primary Health Organization funded by the Ministry to provide health services in the community, focusing on Long Term Conditions (LTCs). The organization serves Palmerston North, Feilding, Dannevirke, Levin, Otaki, and surrounding communities and has a multi-disciplinary team, including LTC nurses, dieticians, podiatrists, and other allied health professionals. Services offered include physical activity, cardiac rehab, dietician services, LTC nursing, pulmonary rehab, "Here Toitu," "My Health Myself," and podiatry.