PD product

Courses and Workshops

Strength Training for Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Strength Training for Middle-Aged and Older Adults will educate physiotherapists in the developing and evolving field of resistance training for over 45s. The course has a strong emphasis on the creation and delivery of age-appropriate, movement-focused, functional strength training programs. The course explores the latest concepts and innovative ideas with respect to functional strength training & movement restoration.

Participants will be studying the effective design and delivery of biomechanically balanced resistance training programs to achieve enhanced stability and balance, improved bone density and muscle mass, recovery in rehabilitation, improved daily movement & functional capacity and optimal biomechanics.

There is a significant practical component to the course with 50% of the course focussed on the teaching and performance of correct exercise technique. Participants will explore the latest evidence-based theory and learn dozens of practical exercises, which can be used to better manage a wide spectrum of middle-aged and older adults clients.

The course recognises that functional strength and conditioning is an essential component of the optimal management of many older clients looking to maintain independence, health span (and strength span) especially in the later decades of life.

This course is aimed at physiotherapists working with clients aged 45 and older, focusing on functional movement restoration and strength training. It is especially beneficial for those seeking an evidence-based, systematic approach to creating and delivering effective strength programs

Learning outcomes

  • Embrace the concepts of health span and strength span in relation to establishing health goals for aging individuals + develop effective goal-driven training plans
  • Understand the common physiological changes of aging and their impact on strength and function
  • Identify and manage potential risks associated with resistance training in middle-aged and older populations. (This includes proper supervision techniques, equipment modifications, environmental safety, recognising signs of overexertion or adverse events, managing exercises with common co-morbidities)
  • Challenge beliefs around natural progressions of physical change (Is degeneration inevitable or avoidable in the older adult?)
  • Assess functional physical capacity with a selection of objective strength tests (establishing baseline measurements) + interpret results with respect to the client's specific physical goals
  • Appreciate the various forms of exercise which are proven to be of benefit to middle-aged and older adults + focus on where regular resistance training (of appropriate intensity) fits into a bigger picture of life-long active living
  • Confidently design & deliver safe, age-appropriate, evidence-based functional strength training programs + promote sustainable exercise habits
  • Master the performance of (and develop the confidence to teach) a selection of innovative workouts, including full-body workouts, focus workouts and bands-only workouts - designed for home-based training (with resistance bands) and /or gym based training (with cables and dumbbells)
  • Understand precision of exercise selection, periodised long-term training programs, load progression strategies + frequency & volume considerations
  • Address key health concerns for older adults by targeting evidence-based interventions for: falls & fracture prevention, improving balance, co-ordination & reaction time, maintaining (and improving) bone density & muscle mass. (utilising resistance training to avoid / manage osteoporosis and sarcopenia)
  • Adapt exercises for various health conditions, fitness levels and functional limitations utilising simple strategies for exercise modification + address barriers to exercise participation
  • Create an appropriate (low-cost) training space / functional strength training studio within your business + utilise systems for conducting small group training & circuit classes (adopting strategies for maintaining long-term engagement)

Presenters

Wayne Rodgers


Wayne Rodgers is an APA sports and exercise physiotherapist, functional strength coach and highly experienced course presenter with over 30 years of clinical experience. He has been a sports physiotherapist for several national and international sports teams including the Australian Netball team and the Australian Commonwealth Games team. Wayne has a special interest in both the management of shoulder dysfunctions and in the effective utilisation of functional strength training within clinical practice. When designing and delivering professional development courses he has a strong focus on providing evidence-based, highly systematic approaches to management - with a significant component of all his courses dedicated to the acquisition and mastery of practical skills. With an ability to convert complex health and high performance concepts into vitalised messages and simple strategies, Wayne has become a very popular presenter on sports physiotherapy and fitness industry seminars and courses. He has presented over 3500 hours of training and education to receptive audiences throughout Australia and around the world over the past 20 years.His current professionals roles include: running a successful sports physiotherapy clinic and functional strength coaching facility in Noosa QLD, contributing to the Masters in Sports Medicine program at Melbourne University, developing online education and training programs and delivering up to 30 physiotherapy and exercise professional courses per year.

This item has been successfully added to your cart.

We've noticed you're not a physiotherapist.

Please note, if a course or event is for registered physiotherapists only, this will be indicated in the event description.
Please make sure you are attending an event that is open to everyone.
Close
  • Special characters
  • Upper case
  • Lower case
  • Number
Home address:
Courses and Workshops
15
Sat 15 - Sun 16
August
10:45AM - 04:00PM AEST
8 Remont Court
Cheltenham VIC View map
Price:
Early Bird - Non Member: $1,284.00
Early Bird - APA Member: $856.00
Early Bird - Sports and Exercise group: $796.00
Early Bird - Musculoskeletal group: $796.00
Early Bird - Cardiorespiratory group: $796.00
Early Bird - Neurology group: $796.00
Early Bird - Gerontology group: $796.00
Early Bird - Distance Discount: $796.00
Registration closing date:
01 Aug 2026
Event status:
Open
CPD hours:
15.00
* Early bird prices close 8 weeks prior to the course start date
Your registration status:
Login to register Don't have an account? Sign up now
At a glance
Price:
1,284.00: $Early Bird - Non Member
856.00: $Early Bird - APA Member
796.00: $Early Bird - Sports and Exercise group
796.00: $Early Bird - Musculoskeletal group
796.00: $Early Bird - Cardiorespiratory group
796.00: $Early Bird - Neurology group
796.00: $Early Bird - Gerontology group
796.00: $Early Bird - Distance Discount
Registration closing date:
01 Aug 2026
Event status:
Open
CPD hours:
15.00
* Early bird prices close 8 weeks prior to the course start date
Your registration status:
Presenters

Wayne Rodgers


Wayne Rodgers is an APA sports and exercise physiotherapist, functional strength coach and highly experienced course presenter with over 30 years of clinical experience. He has been a sports physiotherapist for several national and international sports teams including the Australian Netball team and the Australian Commonwealth Games team. Wayne has a special interest in both the management of shoulder dysfunctions and in the effective utilisation of functional strength training within clinical practice. When designing and delivering professional development courses he has a strong focus on providing evidence-based, highly systematic approaches to management - with a significant component of all his courses dedicated to the acquisition and mastery of practical skills. With an ability to convert complex health and high performance concepts into vitalised messages and simple strategies, Wayne has become a very popular presenter on sports physiotherapy and fitness industry seminars and courses. He has presented over 3500 hours of training and education to receptive audiences throughout Australia and around the world over the past 20 years.His current professionals roles include: running a successful sports physiotherapy clinic and functional strength coaching facility in Noosa QLD, contributing to the Masters in Sports Medicine program at Melbourne University, developing online education and training programs and delivering up to 30 physiotherapy and exercise professional courses per year.


Learning outcomes
  • Embrace the concepts of health span and strength span in relation to establishing health goals for aging individuals + develop effective goal-driven training plans
  • Understand the common physiological changes of aging and their impact on strength and function
  • Identify and manage potential risks associated with resistance training in middle-aged and older populations. (This includes proper supervision techniques, equipment modifications, environmental safety, recognising signs of overexertion or adverse events, managing exercises with common co-morbidities)
  • Challenge beliefs around natural progressions of physical change (Is degeneration inevitable or avoidable in the older adult?)
  • Assess functional physical capacity with a selection of objective strength tests (establishing baseline measurements) + interpret results with respect to the client's specific physical goals
  • Appreciate the various forms of exercise which are proven to be of benefit to middle-aged and older adults + focus on where regular resistance training (of appropriate intensity) fits into a bigger picture of life-long active living
  • Confidently design & deliver safe, age-appropriate, evidence-based functional strength training programs + promote sustainable exercise habits
  • Master the performance of (and develop the confidence to teach) a selection of innovative workouts, including full-body workouts, focus workouts and bands-only workouts - designed for home-based training (with resistance bands) and /or gym based training (with cables and dumbbells)
  • Understand precision of exercise selection, periodised long-term training programs, load progression strategies + frequency & volume considerations
  • Address key health concerns for older adults by targeting evidence-based interventions for: falls & fracture prevention, improving balance, co-ordination & reaction time, maintaining (and improving) bone density & muscle mass. (utilising resistance training to avoid / manage osteoporosis and sarcopenia)
  • Adapt exercises for various health conditions, fitness levels and functional limitations utilising simple strategies for exercise modification + address barriers to exercise participation
  • Create an appropriate (low-cost) training space / functional strength training studio within your business + utilise systems for conducting small group training & circuit classes (adopting strategies for maintaining long-term engagement)
By registering for this course, you agree to the APA Events Terms and Conditions. You could save on future events by joining an APA National Group. Pay $60 today and keep saving throughout the year.