Improving determinants of Australian sports talent identification and development: a multi-disciplinary approach. Sport is important to many Australians. Our sport successes enhance our national identity, generate community pride and attract mega sport events. Currently our sport talent identification and development (TID) systems have been surpassed by our international rivals who borrowed from and improved our knowledge. This project will help regain Australia's international advantage and aga ....Improving determinants of Australian sports talent identification and development: a multi-disciplinary approach. Sport is important to many Australians. Our sport successes enhance our national identity, generate community pride and attract mega sport events. Currently our sport talent identification and development (TID) systems have been surpassed by our international rivals who borrowed from and improved our knowledge. This project will help regain Australia's international advantage and again make Australian TID the international benchmark. Results will highlight the role of TID practices in improving recreational participation and maximising, attracting, developing and retaining sport talent. This will result in improved use of sports limited TID funding by providing greater understanding of factors that influence elite selection and sport development.Read moreRead less
Reducing the fat burden: Identification of novel cellular and molecular targets for alleviating skeletal muscle insulin resistance. Insulin resistance and the associated consequences are a major public health problem in Australia and cost the healthcare system >$1.1 billion/year. Exercise training and thiaziolidinedione (TZD) treatment are therapies that partially ameliorate insulin resistance through distinct and independent mechanisms. However, neither intervention represents a viable long-ter ....Reducing the fat burden: Identification of novel cellular and molecular targets for alleviating skeletal muscle insulin resistance. Insulin resistance and the associated consequences are a major public health problem in Australia and cost the healthcare system >$1.1 billion/year. Exercise training and thiaziolidinedione (TZD) treatment are therapies that partially ameliorate insulin resistance through distinct and independent mechanisms. However, neither intervention represents a viable long-term strategy: exercise training has low compliance, while chronic TZD use is associated with several adverse side effects (edema, weight gain etc.). We will investigate the metabolic, cellular and molecular mechanisms by which these therapies each exert their positive effect on insulin action with the aim of identifying novel targets for future drug interventions. Read moreRead less
Modelling active play in preschool children using machine learning. This interdisciplinary project explores novel machine learning approaches to modelling physical activity data in preschool children. The approach taken is considered the future of physical activity assessment and is expected to substantially enhance the measurement of physical activity and the evidence base that informs strategies to improve population health through physical activity promotion. The project aims to transform the ....Modelling active play in preschool children using machine learning. This interdisciplinary project explores novel machine learning approaches to modelling physical activity data in preschool children. The approach taken is considered the future of physical activity assessment and is expected to substantially enhance the measurement of physical activity and the evidence base that informs strategies to improve population health through physical activity promotion. The project aims to transform the understanding of young children's physical activity behaviour, and is expected to have important implications for the design of accurate and effective technology-based physical activity monitoring and intervention applications that could be delivered through the e-health initiative in Australia.Read moreRead less
Use of heart rate kinetics during the rest-exercise transition for tracking changes in exercise performance in athletes. The project aims to develop an objective method for assessing fatigue and recovery in athletes during changes in training load. It is intended that this will inform training adjustments to optimise performance and reduce the risk of overtraining and injury. The method assesses the maximal rate of heart rate increase at the start of light exercise (rHRI), and has been shown in ....Use of heart rate kinetics during the rest-exercise transition for tracking changes in exercise performance in athletes. The project aims to develop an objective method for assessing fatigue and recovery in athletes during changes in training load. It is intended that this will inform training adjustments to optimise performance and reduce the risk of overtraining and injury. The method assesses the maximal rate of heart rate increase at the start of light exercise (rHRI), and has been shown in the project team’s early studies to track reductions in exercise performance when an athlete is fatigued from increased training. The project aims to now refine rHRI so it can also track improvements in exercise performance as athletes recover, and to evaluate rHRI in multiple sports and genders. A field test will be developed and mechanisms that allow it to track changes in exercise performance will be investigated.Read moreRead less
Discovering And Targeting Genes Regulating Skeletal Muscle Function, Metabolism, And Adaptations To Exercise Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Muscle wasting and decreased in mitochondrial function due to ageing or lack of physical activity are associated with reduced quality of life. The overarching aim is to develop a unique research program focusing on targeting specific genes, and to discover novel genes regulating muscle wasting and mitochondrial (dis)function. I anticipate this approach to assist in the development of targeted and personalised prevention and therapy for diseases associated with muscle (dis)function.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100864
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,334.00
Summary
Discovering The Effect of alpha-actinin-3 Deficiency on Muscle Adaptations to Exercise Training in Humans. The protein alpha-actinin-3 is expressed in fast muscle fibres. A common gene variant results in complete deficiency in alpha-actinin-3 that has been shown to influence athletic performance. A mouse model has been previously generated to demonstrate that alpha-actinin-3 deficiency results in a significant shift in fast muscle fibres, towards the slow, more efficient muscle fibres. This proj ....Discovering The Effect of alpha-actinin-3 Deficiency on Muscle Adaptations to Exercise Training in Humans. The protein alpha-actinin-3 is expressed in fast muscle fibres. A common gene variant results in complete deficiency in alpha-actinin-3 that has been shown to influence athletic performance. A mouse model has been previously generated to demonstrate that alpha-actinin-3 deficiency results in a significant shift in fast muscle fibres, towards the slow, more efficient muscle fibres. This project will demonstrate the effects of alpha-actinin-3 deficiency on the characteristics of human muscle pre and post exercise training. Outcomes will include major applications for personalising health recommendations and in designing preventative programs for ageing.Read moreRead less
Optimising Exercise and Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle. During the past decade the proportion of Australia's population aged 65 years and over has increased to 13% (2.7 million). During the same period, the proportion of the population aged 85 years and over has more than doubled and is now the fastest growing subpopulation in Australia. As the number of elderly persons continues to grow, sarcopenia-related conditions will have a dramatic and inevitable impact on the lives of all Australian ....Optimising Exercise and Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle. During the past decade the proportion of Australia's population aged 65 years and over has increased to 13% (2.7 million). During the same period, the proportion of the population aged 85 years and over has more than doubled and is now the fastest growing subpopulation in Australia. As the number of elderly persons continues to grow, sarcopenia-related conditions will have a dramatic and inevitable impact on the lives of all Australians. The novel dietary protocols developed from the results of the studies undertaken in this proposal will translate into better treatment options for reversing age-dependent muscle degeneration. This is a critical first step for improving the standard of living for a large portion of Australian society.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Skeletal Muscle AMP-activated Protein Kinase By Glycogen
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,558.00
Summary
The enzyme AMP protein kinase has three parts (subunits) and is central to controlling the body's metabolism. We have discovered that one subunit is essential for tightly associating the enzyme with muscle glycogen which is a source of high energy and efficient metabolism. We will identify where the enzyme attaches to glycogen, and how diet and exercise alter this association. Understanding this could lead to new approaches for treating Type 2 diabetes where energy metabolism is disrupted.
Defining the direct effects of exercise on arterial adaptation. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of exercise is fundamental to optimising the design of preventative programs aimed at healthy ageing. These experiments will contribute to our understanding of the direct effects of changes in blood flow and pressure during exercise on vascular adaptations in humans.
Strategies to reduce risk of heat induced illness during intermittent, high intensity activity in a tropical environment. Regular intermittent, high intensity physical activity (IHIA) affords protection against modern life-style diseases (type II diabetes, coronary heart disease and some cancers) but when conducted in the tropics, exposes persons to the risk of dehydration, heat cramps, hypotension, heat syncope, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Australia has rapid population growth in the tropi ....Strategies to reduce risk of heat induced illness during intermittent, high intensity activity in a tropical environment. Regular intermittent, high intensity physical activity (IHIA) affords protection against modern life-style diseases (type II diabetes, coronary heart disease and some cancers) but when conducted in the tropics, exposes persons to the risk of dehydration, heat cramps, hypotension, heat syncope, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Australia has rapid population growth in the tropics and key sporting fixtures have moved to the region. We have set up the research capability and must now move on a range of IHIA in sport, workplaces, armed and emergency services to provide strategies to reduce the risk of heat induced illness in a tropical environment.Read moreRead less