Clinical Physical Activity and Health

Introduction

Illness, injury and disease compromise the quality and enjoyment of life. The work of this research collective focuses on the links between the various dimensions of ‘health’ and the elements of physical activity. Group members study the contribution of physical activity to the preservation, enhancement and restoration of physical and mental health. Research projects include investigations of public health initiatives, examination of the influence of exercise on disease processes, and exploration of methods for optimising the exercise prescription process to ensure effective and sustainable physical activity. Research conducted by the group ranges from population studies through to individual interventions and covers activity through the lifespan.

Group Members

Phil Handcock (Chair)
Caroline Jenkins
Lynnette Jones
Sandy Mandic
Elaine Hargreaves (Nee Rose)

Key Publications

Jones LM; Legge M; Goulding A. Factor analysis of the metabolic syndrome in spinal cord injured men. Metabolism. 2004;53:1372-1377.

Legge M; Jones LM. Stem cell spinal cord regeneration: First do no harm. Journal of Medical Ethics. 2008;In Press.

Phillips VK; Legge M; Jones LM. Maximal physiological responses between aquatic and land exercise in overweight women. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 2008;In Press.

Rose, E.A. & Parfitt, G. (2007). A quantitative analysis and qualitative explanation of the individual differences in affective responses to prescribed and self-selected exercise intensities. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 29, 281-309.

Rose, E.A; Parfitt, G. & Williams, S. (2005). Exercise causality orientations, behavioural regulation for exercise and stage of change for exercise: Exploring their relationships. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 6, 399-414.

Jenkins, C; Handcock, P; Burrows, L; & Hodge, K. (2006) Exercise barriers faced by first-time mothers.New Zealand College of Midwives Journal., 35:6-11.

Forsyth, G; Handcock, P; Rose, E; Jenkins, C. (2005) Fitness instructors: How does their knowledge on weight loss measure up? Health Education Journal , 64 (2): 154-167

Jenkins, C; Handcock, P.J; Burrows, L. (2005) Postnatal exercise: the mother’s wellbeing is important too [letter], New Zealand Medical Journal, Vol 118 No 1217 http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/118-1217/1541

Handcock, P.J; & Jenkins, C. (2003). The Green Prescription: Field of Dreams? The New Zealand Medical Journal, Vol 116 No 1187 http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/116-1187/713/

Handcock, P. J; Williams, L. R. T; & Sullivan, S. J. (2000). The reliability of H-reflex recordings in standing subjects. Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 41(1), 9-15.

Beardmore, A. L; Handcock, P. J; & Rehrer, N. J. (2005). Return-to-play after injury: practices in New Zealand rugby union. Physical Therapy in Sport, 6(1), 24-30.

Memberships

Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society
American Physiological Society
Sports and Exercise Science New Zealand (SESNZ)
Sports Medicine New Zealand
British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)

Consultancies

Discipline Specific Committee (Clinical Exercise Physiology), SESNZ
Otago Centre of Excellence Board

Successful Grants

Otago University Research Grants
- Substrate utilisation during aqua jogging & walking in overweight women
- Cognitive processes that underpin the affective response to exercise

Lamar Trust - Metabolic syndrome in spinal cord injured males

University of Otago CALT - Reflective learning in clinical case meetings

ACC
- Sports Injury Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour
- Rugby Injury Prevention Project

Reviewers for

Spinal Cord
International Journal of Sports Medicine
NZ Sports Medicine Journal
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Clinical Neurophysiology