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Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA)

ESSA is the nation’s leading voice on exercise and sports science. They govern and represent approximately 10,000 degree-qualified professionals who support Australians to reach their health and performance goals.

Vision and mission

As the peak body, ESSA aims to build a stronger, healthier Australia powered by exercise and sports science. Whether it’s through the accredited exercise professionals who guide Aussies towards better health and performance, or through advocating for policies that prioritise physical activity.

How ESSA can help

Exercise Right is a public health initiative powered by ESSA, inspiring Australians to achieve healthier and more active lives. It features evidence-based information from ESSA accredited professionals like exercise scientists, exercise physiologists and sports scientists.

Whether you’re managing a health condition, returning to movement after injury or looking to boost your wellbeing, Exercise Right provides trusted advice, guidance, practical tools and expert tips about exercising RIGHT to meet your needs and goals.

Information lines / help lines

Call 07 3171 3335, Mon to Fri, 8.30am – 4.30pm (AEST)

Programs, apps and tools

  • Find an accredited exercise professional: ESSA’s search function allows you to find and contact a university-qualified exercise expert, like an exercise physiologist, near you.
  • Exercise Right: free resources and information from degree qualified exercise professionals about how to exercise right for your goals.

Recommended links

Last reviewed: November 2025

Information from this partner

Found 29 results

Bowel cancer - Exercise Right

Exercise can improve physical decline, assist with fatigue and promote a better quality of life during treatment cycles for bowel cancer.

Read more on ESSA website

Cancer - Exercise Right

With the right guidance, exercise at any stage of your cancer journey can help you feel stronger, more energised and more in control.

Read more on ESSA website

Diabetes - Exercise Right

For people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, exercise is one of the most powerful tools for managing blood sugar levels.

Read more on ESSA website

Injury recovery - Exercise Right

Exercise can play a key role in injury recovery by getting you back up to full speed as soon as possible. Injuries can occur at work, on the sports field, as the result of an accident or through repetitive strain being placed on a joint or muscle. They can strike when you least expect it, and can have a debilitating effect on your everyday life and work.

Read more on ESSA website

Lower back pain - Exercise Right

Low back pain is very common. So common, in fact, that most (80%) Australian adults will experience at least one episode of low back pain during their lifetime. Although often very painful, most low back pain is not caused by a serious problem and will resolve with some simple care. Physical activity is an important part of that care.

Read more on ESSA website

Mental health - Exercise Right

Exercise is one of the best ways to support mental health. It can boost your mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and support overall wellbeing.

Read more on ESSA website

Obesity - Exercise Right

Overweight and obesity are characterised by excess body weight and excessive balance of energy intake vs energy expenditure with Body Mass Index (BMI) commonly used as the criterion to define these conditions. A BMI over 25 is classified as overweight, whereas obesity is measured as a BMI over 30. The formula is BMI = kg/m2 where kg is a person’s weight in kilograms and m2 is their height in metres squared.

Read more on ESSA website

Osteoporosis - Exercise Right

Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose minerals, such as calcium, more quickly than the body can replace them, leading to a loss of bone thickness (bone density). Any bone can be affected by osteoporosis, but the most common sites are the hip, spine, wrist, upper arm, forearm or ribs. Fractures in the spine due to osteoporosis can result in changes in posture and height loss.As bones become thinner and less dense, even a minor bump or fall can cause a serious fracture. Falls are a common cause of fractures for people with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis usually has no symptoms until a fracture occurs – this is why it is often called the ‘silent disease’.

Read more on ESSA website

Women's health - Exercise Right

Exercise supports women’s physical and mental health, from adolescence through pregnancy, postnatal recovery, menopause, and beyond.

Read more on ESSA website

Metabolic syndrome - Exercise Right

Metabolic syndrome occurs when a person has a combination or cluster of related cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk factors. Metabolic syndrome may be diagnosed if you have at least 3 or 5 of these risk factors in combination. It can contribute to the risk of heart (cardiovascular) disease and other conditions like type 2 diabetes.

Read more on ESSA website

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