Our Research
The scope of CRExPAH’s research is to address issues relating to exercise, physical activity and health across the lifespan. Research projects are strategically targeted at different levels of interventions, from supporting individuals with chronic health conditions, working with employees and workplaces in a prevention framework, and to a broader level of policy research to enhance our current knowledge of physical activity and health.
View CRExPAH projects – link to projects page
View CRExPAH publications – link to UQ eSpace
A snapshot of our research questions are listed below:
1. Measurement
- What are the levels and patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviour among employees in specific occupations, people with clinical conditions?
- What are the levels and patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the population? How does this differ between groups and change over time?
- How can physical activity and sedentary behaviour be assessed?
2. Understanding
- What sociodemographic, psychological, social, and environmental factors are associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour in different population groups e.g., older adults, young people, employees, people with clinical conditions?
- What is the optimum dose (i.e., intensity, frequency, duration) of exercise and physical activity for physical and psychosocial health benefits?
- What are the effects of different exercise prescriptions? e.g., high intensity interval training, resistance training.
- What are the mechanisms underlying the health benefits of exercise training?
- What are the health risks of inactivity and sedentary behaviour?
3. Positively influencing
- What strategies support people to increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behaviour?
- What strategies improve exercise adherence?
Key Approaches
- Primary prevention: understanding and promoting exercise and physical activity in healthy populations, to prevent the incidence of physical and psychological health problems.
- Secondary prevention: understanding and promoting exercise and physical activity among people who are at risk of developing poor health, to delay progression, lessen duration, or prevent more serious complications.
- Tertiary prevention: understanding and promoting exercise and physical activity among people with physical or psychological health conditions, to reduce comorbidities and complications, minimise suffering, and promote recovery.