Projects
Thriving provides and engages in a number of different programs and projects hand-in-hand with community partners. Current major and student projects are listed below.
For more information on research output including publications see our Impacts page
Therapeutic exercise and activity programs for youth with substance use disorders and associated mental or physical health concerns.
Campus-based, peer led, exercise program for university students experiencing mental distress or illness.
Development and evaluation of comprehensive physical literacy programs for children with neurodevelopmental, emotional and/or behavioural conditions and incorporating parent coaches.
Evaluation of a Pre-Exercise Screening System for Young People
Tony Ton - Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology (UWA)
Recently a panel of experts developed a specific Pre-exercise Screening System (PSS) to be used with young people in order to identify age-appropriate, relevant medical conditions which may put them at a higher risk of an unwanted event during exercise.
The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of the PSS for relevant stakeholders, including the acceptability, demand and practicality.
Contact: pss-research@uwa.edu.au
Assessing the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an on-campus referral-based exercise program for students with mental health problems (Stride)
Ivan Jeftic - PhD Candidate (UWA)
A significant number of university students experience mental health problems each year. These problems cause distress, can be persistent if not treated effectively, and can impair students’ academic achievement and social lives. Regular exercise is beneficial for both physical and mental health outcomes; however, the inclusion of exercise within on-campus treatment plans is not common. In 2020, the UWA “Stride” program will begin – the program will be a structured, 12-week, mentor-led program for UWA students, and an assessment of feasibility and efficacy will be conducted via qualitative and quantitative methods.
Contact: stride@uwa.edu.au
Thriving Families: Improving physical literacy outcomes in children with neurodevelopmental, emotional &/or behavioural problems
Kemi Wright - PhD Candidate (UWA) - Submitted 2020
The overall aim of this research is to deepen our understanding of the physiological and psychosocial factors that influence the physical activity behaviours of children with neurodevelopmental, emotional, or behavioural challenges.
Based on this greater understanding we aim to develop and assess the feasibility of community-based interventions to improve physical literacy outcomes in children, assisted by parent coaches.
Contact: kemi.wright@uwa.edu.au