Clinical

The research conducted by members of the Clinical research theme focusses on using exercise to prevent and manage chronic disease and injuries, to improve health and quality of life across the lifespan. The Clinical theme projects are improving the lives of people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart and lung disease, chronic pain, and mental health conditions, as well as those with muscle and joint injuries and during pregnancy.

Exercise for Type 2 Diabetes & Long-COVID

The Exercise for Type 2 Diabetes & Long-COVID project aims to enhance the prescription and delivery of exercise to people with type 2 diabetes and long-COVID symptoms (e.g., shortness of breath, fatigue) to allow return to, or uptake of, regular exercise.

HIIT for Gastrointestinal Disorders

The High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for People with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders project is the first trial to investigate the use of combined aerobic and resistance training in people with functional gastrointestinal disorders.

The IMPACT project

The Intergenerational effects of Maternal Physical Activity on Child development (IMPACT) project is investigating the effects of physical activity during pregnancy for child brain and mental health.

Balance for Health

The Balance for Health project aims to prevent balance and cognitive decline through physical activity. We are conducting laboratory studies to better understand common balance problems in middle age. We will develop targeted exercise programs for people in middle age to reduce their risks for future falls and dementia, ultimately to intervene early to slow the ageing process.

Posture exercise for neck pain

This project is developing a new intervention strategy to reduce chronic neck pain in office workers, focussed on improving posture and reducing sedentary behaviour in the workplace. This includes a measurement tool to quantify 3D kinematics in real-world environments outside the laboratory.

Breathing exercise for chronic pain

This project will evaluate the effectiveness of breathing training for people with chronic pain delivered as an online group by an allied health professional. Ultimately, we hope to provide evidence for an accessible and effective self-management program to reduce the burden of chronic pain on individuals and their families.

Dance for Health and Well-being

The first phase of this project is to develop a dance physical activity intervention to improve mental health specifically self-esteem, self-worth, and quality of life in young females aged 13-19 years. The second phase of this study is to examine the feasibility of a dance physical activity intervention and assess recruitment and retention, intervention adherence, acceptability of the intervention, and feasibility of collecting outcomes to assess clinical effectiveness.

Theme Leaders

Dr Emily Cox

Lecturer

School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy

• Emily.Cox10@newcastle.edu.au
• (02) 4985 4515

Professor Ronald Plotnikoff

Professor & Chair PA & PHE

School of Education

• Ron.Plotnikoff@newcastle.edu.au
• (02) 4985 4465