Clinical Exercise Physiology Placements

Professional practicum is an integral part of the Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours) and Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology.

Within both programs students gain more than 550 hours of professional practicum experience. This includes extensive external industry placements providing the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge acquired through coursework to practice and develop clinical skills in a real life setting.

EXMD7372 (140 hrs) - Clinical Exercise Physiology Professional Skills

Practicum Aims

Provide students the opportunity to accrue required work experience; apply their knowledge and understanding of the principals of exercise science as they relate to apparently healthy individuals, and develop professional skills to a standard sufficient to graduate from the program as Accredited Exercise Scientists.

Students are expected to complete practicum experience in an exercise science related discipline for the purpose of assessing, programming and delivering exercise interventions. For example: sport, community, corporate and fitness & health settings.

Practicum Objectives

  • Provide students with the opportunity to:
  • Communicate effectively and professionally with clients, supervisors, staff and work teams
  • Use research skills to critically evaluate areas of professional practice
  • Identify, define, analyse and implement strategies to combat issues of motivation and adherence for clients in the exercise setting
  • Identify career options or clinical contexts for practice in exercise science
  • Be able to apply foundation skills and competencies of exercise science in a professional context
  • Appreciate cultural, legal and ethical issues which are central to professional practice in the exercise sciences

HMST3001 (140 hrs) - Clinical Exercise Physiology Practicum (Healthy Populations)

Practicum Aims

Provide students the opportunity to accrue required work experience; apply their knowledge and understanding of the principals of exercise science as they relate to apparently healthy individuals, and develop professional skills to a standard sufficient to graduate from the program as Accredited Exercise Scientists.

Students are expected to complete practicum experience in an exercise science related discipline for the purpose of assessing, programming and delivering exercise interventions. For example: sport, community, corporate and fitness & health settings.

Practicum Objectives

  • Provide students with the opportunity to:
  • Interact effectively with other exercise professionals and demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills relevant to the profession
  • Contribute to the efficient operation of a community, private or government based health and fitness setting or athlete performance environment
  • Interpret health and fitness assessments, and offer creative solutions to achieve clients' health and fitness goals
  • Demonstrate the ability to use research skills to critically evaluate specific areas of assessment, client centred interventions and/or education to determine whether research evidence indicates that current practice should be maintained or modified
  • Develop scientific rationale for professional decision making and service delivery; appropriate time management; and ability to work collaboratively, and independently (as appropriate)
  • Demonstrate professional conduct that is sensitive to client diversity and equity, and is consistent with the ESSA Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice

EXMD7315/7316 (360hrs) - Clinical Exercise Physiology Major Practicum

Practicum Aims

Provide students the opportunity to accrue required work experience; apply their knowledge of exercise science principles, rehabilitation and chronic disease; and develop professional skills to a standard sufficient to graduate from the program as an accredited Exercise Physiologist.

Practicum Objectives

Provide students with the opportunity to:

  • Demonstrate the skills and competencies required to work competently and confidently with people who are affected by a variety of conditions as described within the ESSA AEP Professional Standards (e.g. Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Cancer, Kidney, Respiratory, Mental Health & Neurological pathology domains). This includes risk stratification & assessment, determining safe exercise limits, designing and adhering to treatment plans and the ability to monitor clients at rest, exercise and recovery (including signs and symptoms of disease progress).
  • Demonstrate professional conduct that is sensitive to client diversity and equity, and is consistent with the ESSA code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice           
  • Demonstrate an understanding of allied health and medical practitioner scope of practice and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, as part of the allied health team, and independently, as necessary.   
  • Demonstrate the ability to use research skills to critically evaluate specific areas of client treatment to determine whether research evidence indicates that current practice should be maintained or modified. Interpret data and create solutions/innovate including critical analysis of literature to justify interventions.
  • Demonstrate effective written, verbal & electronic communication skills relevant to the profession and working within an allied health and/or medical team. Including appropriate note taking and clinical documentation compilation, ceasing exercise where indicated for a client, engaging in motivation and leadership during exercise, and counselling clients through behaviour change.

EXMD4701/4702 (360hrs) - Clinical Exercise Physiology Practicum

Practicum Aims

Provide students the opportunity to accrue required work experience; apply their knowledge of exercise science principles, rehabilitation and chronic disease; and develop professional skills to a standard sufficient to graduate from the program as an accredited Exercise Physiologist.

Practicum Objectives

Provide students with the opportunity to:

  • Demonstrate the skills and competencies required to work competently and confidently with people who are affected by a variety of conditions as described within the ESSA AEP Professional Standards (e.g. Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Cancer, Kidney, Respiratory, Mental Health & Neurological pathology domains). This includes risk stratification & assessment, determining safe exercise limits, designing and adhering to treatment plans and the ability to monitor clients at rest, exercise and recovery (including signs and symptoms of disease progress).
  • Demonstrate professional conduct that is sensitive to client diversity and equity, and is consistent with the ESSA code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of allied health and medical practitioner scope of practice and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, as part of the allied health team, and independently, as necessary.
  • Demonstrate effective written, verbal & electronic communication skills relevant to the profession and working within an allied health and/or medical team. Including appropriate note taking and clinical documentation compilation, ceasing exercise where indicated for a client, engaging in motivation and leadership during exercise, and counseling clients through behaviour change.
  • Demonstrate an ability to investigate problems, assess clinical outcomes, interpret data and create solutions/innovate in an evidence-based manner. Including critical analysis of literature to justify client interventions.

There are a range of pre-placement requirements set by The University of Queensland that Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours) students are required to meet prior to the commencement of placements:

More information about WIL Placements can be found at UQ HaBS Prepare for your Placement.

Prepare for your Clinical Exercise Physiology placement