Physical activity has many health and psychological benefits, however many programs aimed at increasing physical activity have failed to show the expected results. This may be because when people increase their level of exercise, they decrease the amount of energy they use in other areas of their lives. This project will examine how two different exercise programs affect overall physical activity level. Findings may cause us to reconsider how to prescribe exercise.
A COMMUNITY BASED STRENGTH TRAINING PROGRAM TO IMPROVE WORK TASK PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,649.00
Summary
This study will compare the outcomes of a 10 week twice a week community-based weight training program for young adults with Down syndrome with an art program. It will establish if a student-led exercise program can improve their performance of work tasks and their activity levels. Should the program prove beneficial, we aim to achieve the long-term outcome of exercise being implemented as a sustainable, inclusive recreation option for this group.
The Effectiveness Of Social Dancing As A Strategy To Prevent Falls In Older People: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,024.00
Summary
Exercise is an effective intervention to prevent falls by the elderly, particularly programs that included balance enhancement. Dance is a series of multi- directional coordinated rhythmic movements with additional mental and social components. This study will determine if participating in 12 months of social dancing is an effective option to prevent falls among the elderly, and whether dancing can improve the motor-cognitive risk factors for falling.
Clinical Trial Of Rehabilitation After Ankle Fracture
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,348.00
Summary
Over 20,500 Australians fracture their ankle each year. Initially the fracture is managed with cast immobilisation, sometimes after surgery. Pain, stiffness, weakness and swelling are disabling consequences of fracture and cast immobilisation, and can prevent return to work and sport. This trial will determine the effects and cost of rehabilitation (a physiotherapy exercise program) implemented after cast removal, and enable provision of evidence-based treatment for this very common problem.
Physical Activity Coaching For Adults With Physical Disabilities: A Pragmatic Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,371,185.00
Summary
People with impaired mobility can achieve substantial benefits from appropriate physical activities but face many barriers to being active so require targeted interventions and health professional support. This trial (n=600) will test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an enhanced physical activity coaching intervention (home-visit from a physiotherapist, phone coaching, technology) with phone coaching alone and with no intervention.
IMproving Physical ACtivity With Treadmill Training Following Stroke: The Stroke-IMPACT Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$736,065.00
Summary
Stroke is a leading cause of disability amongst Australians. After stroke, activity levels are low, with few people able to exercise at an intensity which will reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events. This project examines the effectiveness of combining a high intensity treadmill training program with a self management approach to improve activity levels, mobility, cardiovascular risk profile in stroke survivors, increasing their independence and reducing the burden of care.
A Cluster Randomised Trial Of Electronic Feedback, Online And Telephone Support On Multiple Health Risk Behaviours Among Technical And Further Education (TAFE) Students
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$634,076.00
Summary
This trial will examine whether electronic feedback and enrolment of TAFE students into online and telephone services reduces smoking rates and risky alcohol consumption and increases fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity levels in the long-term. Thirty-two TAFE campuses will participate. At intervention campuses, electronic feedback and online and telephone services will be offered to students for health behaviours which they do not meet Australian health guidelines.
There’s recent evidence that children get leaner and fitter during the school term, but become fatter and less fit over the summer holidays. This may be because of differences in activity and diet: on holidays, children may eat more, be less active and have more screen time. We propose to track the time use, diet, fitness and fatness of 9-11 year old children across three school years. If the pattern is confirmed, we should focus more on the home environment, or perhaps encourage summer camps.
Cardiometabolic Risk Trajectories From Childhood To Midlife: Finding Pathways To Better Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,531,987.00
Summary
Using data from a large cohort of Australian children followed for over 30 years, this study will investigate how weight status and physical fitness from childhood to adulthood determine early markers of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (cardiometabolic disease) in midlife. It will provide much needed evidence to address the high prevalence of cardiometabolic disease risk factors in young Australians through better targeted disease prevention and early clinical intervention strategies.
Participate-CP: Optimising Participation In Physically Active Leisure For Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,014,872.00
Summary
In Australia, 35,000 people have cerebral palsy, who compared to able-bodied peers, are less active with a greater risk of chronic, life-limiting health conditions. There are currently no effective interventions for children with cerebral palsy to increase their physical activity and participation in active leisure activities. We have promising data about a new intervention, called Participate-CP, which we will test in 80 children with cerebral palsy and compare results to usual therapy care.