Edition 2 - The Activate Edge

The inside word on improving movement, reducing pain and living longer. Keep up with the latest in exercise physiology and sports science with our thoughts on emerging trends and innovation monthly.

Edition 2 - October 2023

Welcome to the second edition of the Activate Edge!

The team at Activate HQ is excited to connect with our community in a whole new way. Each month the team will look to bring to you in behind closed doors to the world of Exercise Physiology and Allied Health.

This month:

• Our feature blog on the Intriguing Science of Exercise Physiology

• An update on our Community Walking Group

• Client Spotlight with one of our favourites… Liz!

• Get to know our very own Liv!

As always we would love your feedback and want to here more from you.

Feature Blog - The Intriguing Science of Excercise Physiology: More Than Just Breaking a Sweat

Ever wonder what happens inside your body when you lift weights, go for a jog, or even just stretch? Welcome to the world of exercise physiology—a captivating field that explores how your body transforms with physical activity. Think of it as your body's own lab experiment, where every move you make offers insights into complex systems like your heart, lungs, muscles, and how they utilise energy.

The Underlying Symphony of Your Body

In simple terms, exercise physiology is the scientific study of how our bodies react and adapt to exercise and movement. Think of your body as an orchestra, where different sections—the cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular systems, and energy processes—must work in harmony to perform. Exercise is like the conductor, directing each section to perform in specific ways to achieve a common goal: improved health and well-being.

A Two-Way Street: Influence and Adaptation

This field doesn't just explain what happens inside you when you exercise; it also provides valuable information on how exercise influences these systems for the better. Want to learn how to exercise with a disability, improve your fitness or manage a health condition? Exercise physiology reveals the road map to achieve these goals, enhancing everything from your heart health to your mental well-being.

From the Lab to Real Life: Research and Applications

While some scientists are busy conducting cutting-edge studies to deepen our understanding of the body's responses to exercise, Clinical Exercise Physiologists bring this knowledge into real-world applications. These experts craft tailor-made exercise plans for a diverse range of people, from those with a disability to patients rehabilitating from injuries or managing chronic illnesses like heart disease.

The Personalised Blueprint for Your Body

The beauty of exercise physiology lies in its personalised approach. Whether you're a person with a disability looking to improve your health, someone coping with a chronic illness, or you simply want to live a healthier life, exercise physiologists are the architects of plans specifically designed for you. They measure your fitness levels, construct exercise regimes, track your progress, and offer expert advice on managing injuries and elevating your overall well-being.

A Catalyst for a Healthier, Happier You

In a nutshell, exercise physiology serves as a critical puzzle piece in our understanding of the human body's marvellous adaptability to physical activity. By unravelling the complex reactions and changes within us, this field is a game-changer in highlighting the invaluable role exercise plays in enhancing our health, well-being, and quality of life.

So, the next time you lace up your sneakers for a run or grab weights for a workout, remember: you're not just breaking a sweat; you're partaking in a real-time, complex scientific experiment that is as fascinating as it is beneficial.

What’s on - Community Walking Group

Our Community Walking Group has been running for four weeks with a great attendance so far. It has been great to see our clients getting their steps up on a Saturday morning in a friendly and social atmosphere.

The group has been averaging about 3kms each walk, at a speed suitable to their individual levels. We have been starting each walk with a warm up and finishing with a coffee at Hellenico.

So far our walking group members have been noticing the benefits of increasing their number of weekly steps and enjoying the social aspect of the group. Even the furry walkers have made friends.

Remember this group is free to anyone in our community including family and friends. If you’d like to join us either email us at info@activate-ep.com.au or call 8849 9795.

Client Spotlight - Liz

Shout out to one of the clients in our Activate community Elizabeth (we like to call her Liz). Liz has been training at Activate twice a week for 1 year with Exercise Physiologist Olivia.

Liz has made some really great progress with her upper body strength and bench press, she started off using the 5kg barbell and she can now comfortably use the 20kg bar to perform the movement. Liz also loves to run her fastest pushing the sled as well as add her music flare to the Activate gym and introduce us to her favorite country music artists. Keep up the good work Liz! 

Did you know - Did you know that music can significantly enhance exercise performance? Studies show that syncing your workout to a rhythmic beat can increase stamina, reduce the perception of effort, and improve overall workout efficiency, making each gym session more effective and enjoyable.

Get to know… Liv!

Olivia is one of our Exercise Physiologist at Activate who has a passion for health and exercise. Olivia hopes to encourage positive change in her role as an EP and has enjoyed engaging in professional development topics about neurodiversity and autism over the past year. 

Things you might not know about Olivia! 

• Olivia plays tennis twice a week. She has recently discovered that playing doubles with an older brother usually ends in the blame game and fingers are pointed faster than they can serve. 

• She enjoys being creative through outlets such as digital drawing, painting and creating fun nail polish designs 

• She loves any type of music, with the help of her Dad’s influence she listened to a lot of jazz growing up 

The Knowledge Hub

5 min guide to what we are learning about this month:

Thanks for reading Activate Allied Health's Newsletter - We would love your feedback or thoughts!