September 23 is the inaugural World CEP Day, and Injury Matters is taking a moment to celebrate and acknowledge all the wonderful work Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) do to help our older adults remain active and injury free.
The risk for falls are all too common for older adults and the consequences can be devastating and life changing. With 1 in 3 adults 65 and over experiencing a fall each year, and a 53% increase in the number of West Australian falls fatalities from 2017 to 2021, programs that maintain muscle mass and challenge balance are vital. As university qualified allied health professionals, AEPs are well-placed to deliver falls prevention programs to the community. Equipped with knowledge, skills and competencies to design, deliver and evaluate safe and effective exercise interventions for people, they are not only valuable in prevention, but also in the rehabilitation process if a fall has occurred.
Developing a program to suit the needs of the individuals, AEPs assess a clients particular health concerns and deliver effective and safe exercises to improve the client’s clinical status. You can find AEPs working in public and private hospital settings, across all levels of health care, in private clinics, fitness centres, and in ageing and aged care facilities.
Head to our eDirectory to search for exercise specialists in your area, or find an Accredited Exercise Physiologist by searching the Exercise and Sports Science Australia directory.
Remember building your balance and strengthening your legs are excellent ways to help prevent a fall.
Search for an exercise class in your area:
Search for an Accredited Exercise Physiologist:
Understand the role of an Accredited Exercise Physiologist:
Learn effective methods to prevent falls: