The University of Auckland Clinics
Exercise Rehabilitation Clinic
The Exercise Rehabilitation Clinic at the University of Auckland Clinics provides specialised exercise prescription for individuals living with chronic health conditions. The clinic is supervised by qualified clinical exercise physiologists and provides valuable training opportunities for postgraduate students enrolled in the Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology programme offered by the Department of Exercise Science.
Exercise has numerous physical and psychosocial benefits including:
- Improved physical functioning and fitness
- Improved strength, balance, flexibility and range of movement
- Reducing the risk for development of cardiac disease and other chronic conditions
- Slowing the loss of function due to the presence of cardiac disease and other chronic conditions
- Aiding in the management of a healthy body weight
- Boosting mood, self-esteem and confidence
Who does the Exercise Rehabilitation Clinic help?
Research has consistently demonstrated that exercise is beneficial for the rehabilitation and management of a wide range of health conditions.
We currently accept people with the following health conditions:
Arthritis, cancer, pulmonary disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. If you have a condition that is not listed, feel free to contact us.
What happens at the Exercise Rehabilitation Clinic?
An initial baseline assessment is completed, including an interview and physical capacity testing session. We have a health-screening process to ensure that it is safe for you to exercise. All clients will require specialist or GP approval.
Interview
- Background information on relevant medical history, work status, previous exercise experience, rehabilitation goals and expectations will be collected
Physical capacity testing session
- A scientifically-based physical testing session, specifically tailored to your individual needs and requirements will be conducted, this may cover an ECG monitored aerobic fitness test, physical strength and endurance, flexibility and balance.
Based on the findings of this assessment, recommendations for an individualised rehabilitation programme is developed. Supervised rehabilitation sessions are conducted to implement the programme and ensure ongoing adherence and improvements are made. A final assessment to document progress made during the 12 week programme and to guide the design of a maintenance programme will be conducted. Following the final assessment a report will be prepared for each client and their medical doctor.
We closely monitor or supervise sessions until you can carry on safely and independently. Our goal is to teach you to confidently exercise in a safe and effective manner.
We are a university teaching clinic. A student, or newly qualified, clinical exercise physiologist will often work with you on your programme. All members of the team are supervised by an experienced clinical exercise physiologist and changes to your programme are only made in conjunction with the supervisor.
Clinic sessions are held at the Health and Performance Centre.
What services do we provide?
12 week programme
The initial exercise programme runs for 12 weeks. Clients are encouraged to attend two supervised exercise sessions per week during clinic hours:
Monday to Thursday between 1pm – 6pm
Monday to Friday between 6am – 11am
Maintenance programme
Once clients have completed the 12 week programme, they are encouraged to continue to exercise with us using a programme based on the final assessment at the end of the 12 week programme. Additionally, those who have completed a rehabilitation programme elsewhere, and are looking for a safe, supervised and monitored environment to continue their exercise rehabilitation, may be eligible to join this programme.
How much does it cost?
We are able to offer the initial 12 week programme free of charge to individuals with certain health conditions that inform the teaching and research activity conducted in the clinic. These conditions may vary from year to year and information on current cohorts being accepted can be accessed by contacting the clinic directly.
Referrals
We accept referrals from health professionals, as well as self-referrals directly from the public. To ensure the best possible care, we will seek permission from all clients to obtain their medical doctor’s approval before commencing an exercise programme.
Contact us
Anyone can make a referral or refer themselves to this clinic, please contact us.
