Research Projects
Sedentary behaviour epidemiology
An extensive program of research is investigating the relationships between sedentary behaviour and chronic diseases in the Australian population. Data collected from the AusDiab baseline study and the 5-year follow-up of this cohort is being used to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between self-reported sedentary behaviour (sitting time and television viewing time) and cardio-metabolic risk markers. Additionally, through an active and productive collaboration with colleagues from the Cancer Prevention Research Centre in the School of Population Health at the University of Queensland, we are examining the detrimental effects of sedentary time, as assessed via the use of accelerometers, on biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic risk. This work is largely supported through a Public Health Research Fellowship awarded to Professor Dunstan from the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth).
Sedentary behaviour physiology
A series of experimental studies are examining the biological responses to acute and cumulative bouts of prolonged sedentary behaviour (sitting) in humans and ascertain whether ‘breaking up' sitting time with short bouts of light or moderate activity can ease the adverse effects of sedentary behaviour on glucose and lipid metabolism. This has involved the establishment of a ‘sedentary behaviour' clinical laboratory and collaboration with the Metabolic and Vascular Physiology laboratory. The ‘ABLE Breaks' study is funded through an NHMRC Project Grant.
Sedentary behaviour in the workplace - ‘Stand Up Australia'
A sedentary lifestyle is a major contributor to the obesity and diabetes epidemics. Notwithstanding the poor uptake of physical activity in leisure hours in Australia, the increasing pace of technological change in workplace environments has also meant that prolonged sitting has become a ubiquitous component of adults' working lives. It is common for most individuals to spend at least half of their waking day sitting and inactive. To further understand the extent of the problem in relation to sedentary behaviour in the workplace, we are currently using accelerometers to characterise the sitting and physical activity patterns of office workers during and after work. This research has been facilitated through funding from industry partners. The knowledge gained from this initial work will be used to inform the development and extensive testing of intervention trials in workplaces targeting the reduction of sitting time for improved health and productivity among working Australians (Stand Up Australia).
A behavioural intervention for the adoption and maintenance of strength training in people with or at risk of type 2 diabetes - The STRONG study
Previous research undertaken within the laboratory has demonstrated that strength training is effective for improving muscle strength, lean body mass and glycemic control in older adults with type 2 diabetes. However, home-based strength training does not appear to be sufficient for maintaining the improvements in glycemic control that are seen following laboratory-based training due to poor adherence, absence of supervision and reductions in training workloads. Another previous study has shown that a maintenance program undertaken within a community health and fitness centre was effective for maintaining improved glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. The STRONG study builds on this previous work by examining the effectiveness of adding behavioural counselling and motivationally-tailored strategies to a 6-month community-based strength training program for improving the adoption and maintenance (and glycemic control) in older adults with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This study is funded by an NHMRC Project Grant and is being undertaken with the Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition at Deakin University.
