Postgraduate Studies Projects

Supervisor:  Associate Professor David Dunstan

Email:   david.dunstan@bakeridi.edu.au

There is substantial evidence that physical activity contributes to the primary and secondary prevention of several chronic diseases and is associated with a reduced risk of premature death. Through its substantial influence on energy expenditure, regular physical activity plays an important role in obesity preventative efforts.

The Physical Activity Unit seeks to undertake research that will facilitate the ongoing development and refinement of evidence-based physical activity programs for people in the wider community living with or at risk of chronic disease. This encompasses clinical, epidemiological, behavioural and translational research.

Current activities within clinical research include both short-term (acute) and long-term (intervention) studies investigating the impact of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on metabolic and physiological outcomes in people with or at risk of chronic disease. Epidemiological research focuses on generating new knowledge on the influence of lifestyle factors particularly sedentary behaviour (prolonged sitting) on the prevalence and incidence of chronic diseases. The Unit is also conducting research within various workplaces to examine the impact on metabolic health of reducing sitting time amongst office workers.

Behavioural research encompasses short-term and long-term intervention research studies designed to provide new knowledge on behavioural strategies to influence people at risk chronic disease to adopt healthy self-care behaviours through participation in physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour and establish whether behavioural change can be maintained in the long-term. Translational research involves the systematic evaluation of the evidence-based programs developed within the Physical Activity Unit that have been translated to various community settings (eg: Lift for Life). This includes evaluation research covering the processes and impact on health outcomes. This research underpins the continued development of community-based programs for people with or at risk of chronic disease.

A significant development for the Unit will be the establishment of a state-of-the art physical activity centre which will be housed within the new facility at Alfred Centre due for completion in 2010. This centre will house new equipment and laboratories to undertake clinical and behavioural intervention studies targeting physical activity and will serve as the hub for the translation of evidence-based programs to the wider community.

Project - IDLE breaks study

The IDLE breaks study investigating the acute and cumulative effects of prolonged sitting on post-prandial metabolic variables such as glucose and triglycerides in overweight adults with abnormal glucose metabolism. The study is also examining the extent to which frequent activity breaks (interruptions in sitting time) can attenuate metabolic responses. With the collection of muscle and adipose tissue samples, this project would suit individuals interested in obtaining a better understanding the molecular physiological consequences of prolonged sitting in both the acute and short-term situation.