Research

Welcome to the Centre for Physiotherapy Research (C4PR) Home Page.

The C4PR was established in 2010 and incorporates the research activities of the School of Physiotherapy. Our School has a well-earned international reputation of high quality and high impact research. Our staff and research students contribute to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge through scholarly publications, keynote and other presentations at national and international conferences, invited workshops and newspaper, magazine, radio and TV articles.

Theme

The research in C4PR is focused on improved health outcomes for all in our community through a better understanding and use of movement. Movement, a broad term encompassing physical activity, exercise and mobility, is fundamental to human health at all ages.

Movement is important early in life for normal physical, cognitive and social development; during adulthood to maintain physical capacity; and in the latter years to maximise quality of life and independence. Our increasingly sedentary lifestyle means that many otherwise healthy individuals are succumbing to diseases associated with inactivity or reduced activity - such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and back pain. The disability stemming from such conditions leads invariably to further impairment of movement and so the cycle continues. Research in the Centre focuses on ways of mitigating this negative impact, exploiting the beneficial effects of movement and enhancing movement and health outcomes.

Main areas

The key areas of research currently being investigated by members of the Centre are:

• Physical Activity research investigates the use of physical activity for well individuals and groups with diabetes, obesity, dementia and cerebral palsy as a means of preventing or minimising morbidity.
• Musculoskeletal research investigates the mechanisms, development, classification and management of disorders and motor control dysfunction in a broad cross section of the community. Current projects, for example, involve adolescents, sporting populations and industrial workers. Musculoskeletal research also investigates bone and joint health prevention of falls, osteoporosis prevention and movement maintenance in osteoarthritis. Sports injury research investigates the biomechanical risk factors and injury interventions for people engaging in high demand sporting activities such as gymnastics, tennis, cricket and water polo.
• Cardio-vascular-pulmonary research examines physiologic responses to exercise tests and the efficacy of exercise training, exercise effects on blood vessels, physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk factors and self management interventions to reduce healthcare burden in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma.
• Neurological research investigates strategies to enhance movement following spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions.
• Pain research focuses on the ability to modulate spinal pain with movement based therapies. Mechanisms underlying acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain are investigated using novel experimental pain methods in healthy controls and patient cohorts. Mechanisms and efficacy of movement based interventions to minimise musculoskeletal pain and enhance movement are also investigated.
• Ergonomics research investigates the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders related to insufficient or inappropriate activity. Examples in this area include health issues associated with increased use of computers by children, learning musical instruments, performing manual tasks and decreased movement in office work.

Scope of research

A list of current/recent C4PR projects illustrates the broad range of ages and health needs that C4PR covers. Projects investigate issues across the whole lifespan, from infants and children, through youth and adults to the elderly and also address the needs of many different groups in the community. Several projects investigate prevention of health problems in the well general community. Other projects focus on rehabilitation for groups with special needs such as following an acute injury or accident or those with a chronic musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary and neurological disorder. Research also focuses on understanding the adverse impact of a range of disorders on movement and function and developing new movement based approaches to mitigating those adverse effects.

Research at the C4PR covers a broad range of research approaches appropriate to the diverse research questions investigated. C4PR research ranges from basic understanding through to practical application, encompassing enabling research, clinical research, service delivery research and population based research. C4PR research is conducted in laboratory, clinical and community settings and includes computer modelling, animal models, human experimental, epidemiological, randomised and controlled trials and qualitative designs. Sample sizes range from single case studies through to thousands in epidemiological studies. Study timeframes range from cross sectional designs to longitudinal studies looking at the effect of perinatal health on adolescent outcomes. Despite this diversity, there is a clear emphasis on understanding movement and movement dysfunction and employing movement based interventions, exercise and physical activity to improve health outcomes.

The C4PR has excellent facilities to support leading edge research including: 14 camera Vicon/2 force platform motion analysis laboratory, two Fastrack motion analysis systems, four 8 channel EMG systems, laboratory and portable gas analysis systems, DEXA, real time ultrasound and computer modelling. We have 5 dedicated research laboratories in a new building and other clinic based research facilities. The C4PR also has excellent human resource support with dedicated research support staff and post doctorate researchers. Support for the research endeavours also comes from the significant research grant funding from nationally competitive agencies such as the NH&MRC, National Heart Foundation and Arthritis Australia and from state based agencies such as the Asthma Foundation (WA), Lotteries West and WA Arthritis and Osteoporosis Research Foundation. The School has a mix of highly successful, international recognised researchers and early career researchers. The School staff and research students have strong links within the university sector nationally and internationally and with clinic and industry partners.

The staff at the C4PR have a strong tradition of supporting higher degree by research students. Our first Master's degree was awarded in 1981, with 40 Master's graduates to date. The first PhD in Physiotherapy was awarded in 1992 and we have since graduated 40 Doctors of Philosophy.

We have a vibrant research community which enjoys the discovery and dissemination of knowledge related to physiotherapy. If you are interested in studying for a higher degree, working in research at the C4PR, or collaborating with researchers at the C4PR, we welcome your contact.

Professor Leon Straker
Director of Research and Higher Degrees by Research