Exercise physiologist

Exercise physiology is important for people living with Parkinson’s.

Find an accredited, university-qualified professional who can help you take on exercise to improve your health, fitness, and wellbeing.

What do EPs do?

Exercise physiology is a crucial component of managing Parkinson’s. An accredited exercise physiologist (AEP) is a university-qualified professional who designs personalised exercise programs to improve health, fitness, and overall wellbeing. Here’s how having an AEP on your care team can be beneficial for people living with Parkinson’s.

What do AEPs do?

Accredited exercise physiologists are trained to design and develop exercise programs tailored to your symptoms, goals, and preferences. These individualised plans can help manage symptoms such as muscle stiffness, tremors, postural instability, and gait difficulties. By addressing these issues, AEPs can significantly improve your physical function, confidence and quality of life.

Improved physical function

Targeted, regular exercise has been shown to improve gait, reduce freezing symptoms, and enhance balance and mobility . These improvements are critical to maintaining independence and reducing the risk of falls and fall-related injuries. AEPs focus on exercises that strengthen key muscle groups, helping you maintain independence, perform daily activities more easily and promote safe movement patterns.

Support for digestive health

Constipation is a frequent non-motor symptom in Parkinson’s. Exercise promotes gut motility by stimulating blood flow and muscle activity in the digestive tract. AEPs can recommend exercises such as walking, cycling, or gentle core work to support healthy digestion and reduce constipation.

Sleep, fatigue, & Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Regular exercise helps regulate your body’s internal clock, leading to better quality sleep at night. This means you’re more likely to sleep soundly and wake up feeling refreshed, and experience fewer feelings of fatigue and daytime sleepiness. Exercise also releases endorphins, which can lift your mood and energy levels, making you feel more alert during the day. AEPs design programs that consider your fatigue levels and help you find the right balance between activity and rest.

Mental health benefits

Exercise is proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve mood, and support your brain health. These benefits can also extend to better focus and cognitive function. AEPs can incorporate strategies to challenge both the body and mind.

Slowing Parkinson’s progression

Research suggests that regular exercise is the only intervention currently shown to slow the progression of Parkinson’s. Maintaining or improving your fitness levels can potentially delay the worsening of symptoms and help you maintain a higher quality of life.

AEPs can design programs that keep you active and engaged, contributing to this positive outcome.

Support & motivation

One of the greatest benefits of working with an exercise physiologist is having ongoing support, motivation, and education to help you stay committed to your exercise routine. Your AEP will monitor your progress and adjust your program as needed to ensure it remains effective. This support is crucial for maintaining consistency and achieving long-term benefits.

Why should you see an AEP if you have Parkinson’s?

AEPs tailor exercise interventions to the specific needs, goals, and values of each person living with Parkinson’s. By addressing symptoms such as muscle stiffness, tremors, and balance problems, AEPs help you maintain independence and improve your ability to perform daily activities.

You’ll receive a program tailored to your condition, goals, and preferences:

Exercises are clinically designed to address both motor and non-motor symptoms
AEPs can help with specific tasks such as improving your ability to get up from a chair or move safely around the home
Programs are progressive, helping you maintain physical and mental function over the long term.

Having an Accredited Exercise Physiologist on your care team can be incredibly beneficial if you have Parkinson’s. Their expertise in designing personalised exercise programs can help manage symptoms, improve physical and mental health and wellbeing, and slow Parkinson’s progression.

By providing ongoing support and motivation, AEPs play a vital role in helping you maintain independence and achieve a better quality of life.

Key Statistics

Exercise is second only to medication in terms of effectiveness in slowing the progression of Parkinson’s disease. (2)
Regular exercise can improve gait, balance, tremor, flexibility, strength, and coordination. (3)
Exercise can reduce the risk of falls, which is particularly important for people with Parkinson’s who are more prone to falling. (4)
Exercise has been shown to decrease depression and anxiety, enhance memory, and reduce fatigue. (5)

How do I access an EP?

Accessing accredited exercise physiology services can make a significant difference in managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s, improving quality of life and maintaining independence.

It’s advisable to explore all available pathways to find the support that best suits your individual needs. Look to:

getting a referral to an AEP with Parkinson‘s experience
your state-based Parkinson’s organisation for advice on local AEPs to access
private health to see what is covered in relation to AEP consultations and expenses
NDIS or My Aged Care plan supports.
Contact ESSA to find one near you. https://www.essa.org.au/find-aep

Key Statistics

Over 23.6 million Australians now have a My Health Record, representing approximately 91% of the population.
More than 4.3 billion documents have been uploaded to the system, including pathology reports, diagnostic imaging, and prescription records.
Over 99% of general practices and 95% of pharmacies are connected to My Health Record, actively uploading and accessing patient information.
In March 2025 alone, there were over 100 million views of documents in My Health Record by healthcare providers, showing strong engagement with the platform.

Infosheet kindly reviewed by Exercise & Sport Science Australia

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is the nation’s leading voice on exercise and sports science.

References:

(1) Goldman, J. G., Volpe, D., Ellis, T. D., Hirsch, M. A., Johnson, J., Wood, J., Aragon, A., Biundo, R., Di Rocco, A., Kasman, G. S., Iansek, R., Miyasaki, J., McConvey, V. M., Munneke, M., Pinto, S., St Clair, K. A., Toledo, S., York, M. K., Todaro, R., Yarab, N., … Wallock, K. (2024). Delivering Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Care in Parkinson’s Disease: An International Consensus Statement. Journal of Parkinson’s disease, 14(1), 135–166. https://doi.org/10.3233/JPD-230117

(2) Langeskov-Christensen M, Franzén E, Grøndahl Hvid L, et al. (2024). Exercise as medicine in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry; 95:1077-1088.

(3) Giardini, M., Nardone, A., Godi, M., Guglielmetti, S., Arcolin, I., Pisano, F., & Schieppati, M. (2018). Instrumental or Physical‐Exercise Rehabilitation of Balance Improves Both Balance and Gait in Parkinson’s Disease. Neural plasticity, 2018(1), 5614242.

(4) Shen, X., Wong-Yu, I. S., & Mak, M. K. (2016). Effects of exercise on falls, balance, and gait ability in Parkinson’s disease: a meta-analysis. Neurorehabilitation and neural repair, 30(6), 512-527.

(5) Xu, X., Fu, Z., & Le, W. (2019). Exercise and Parkinson’s disease. International review of neurobiology, 147, 45-74.