$50,000 grant to assist diabetes research project
A research project into exercise as a treatment for diabetes is one of two University of Canberra projects awarded ACT Government grants totalling $90,000.
The grants are funded under the ACT Health and Medical Research Support Program and were announced today by ACT health minister Katy Gallagher.
Dr Ben Rattray received $50,000, the largest grant awarded in this round, for his project which looks at diabetes, exercise and dietary anti-oxidants.
“We know that exercise is an extremely powerful tool to treat and prevent diabetes. Unfortunately, not enough people exercise or don’t exercise enough,” Dr Rattray, a lecturer in sport studies, said.
“We hope that this research will show how specific exercise can hasten the benefits gained, allowing more people to use exercise as prevention and treatment for diabetes and other chronic disease,” Dr Rattray said.
Physical inactivity is estimated to cost the Australian taxpayer $400 million per year in direct health care costs, although the indirect costs to society are estimated to be double that figure.
The project will investigate the increased benefits of ‘eccentric exercise’, over conventional physical activity.
Eccentric exercise differs from conventional concentric exercise in that work is performed whilst the muscle in lengthening as opposed to shortening – for example walking downhill compared to walking uphill.
“A lot of people are sore for a few days after going for a bushwalk and walking a significant distance downhill, or after starting a new gym workout. It places different stress on the body but one that we believe can result in relatively large positive changes,” Dr Rattray added.
The project will also investigate the effects of specific vitamin supplements. Recent research has suggested excessive use of vitamins may interfere with the body’s ability to make positive adaptations to exercise.
The project is expected to start mid-year.
Donna Hodgson received $40,000 for her research project which involves evaluating the implementation of ‘Recovery’ principles across Mental Health ACT. Ms Hodgson will evaluate how the use of such principles has influenced outcomes for consumers.
