Study with us
At the Holsworth Research Initiative, we want you to pursue your own research interests, under the expert supervision of our academic staff. Below you can explore the work of our graduate researchers so you can see all the benefits of studying for your PhD with us. If you are interested in pursuing graduate studies with our team, we suggest you first check your eligibility.
PhD research students
Investigation of an integrated community partnership model of recruitment and retention into physical activity programs
Dr Stephen Barrett
The “Healthy 4U-2” project seeks to integrate preventative health interventions into routine care in the Specialist Clinics, with the aim of eliciting positive changes in physical activity and health-related outcomes.
Supervisor: Professor Mike Kingsley
Analysis of On-Court Activity to Improve Performance in Professional Basketball
Miss Jodie Palmer
Monitoring training and match activity in sport is important for prescribing appropriate training loads to maximise performance and minimise fatigue. In basketball, accelerometry has been shown to be useful for monitoring activity due to the quantification of movement in 3-dimensions. While new accelerometry-metrics for quantifying session intensity and volume have been validated, they have not yet been used to monitor training loads throughout a basketball season. This study aims to apply these new methods to a professional basketball setting to help minimise fatigue and improve performance for teams across entire seasons.
Partners: Bendigo Stadium, Bendigo Braves, Bendigo Spirit
Chief investigators: Jodie Palmer (PhD Student), Dr Rodrigo Bini, Dr Daniel Wundersitz, Professor Michael Kingsley
Supervisor: Professor Michael Kingsley
Closing the Performance Gap: Match-play demands of elite junior Australian rules football
Mr Jacob Jennings
In this PhD we will explore the duration-specific running and technical demands of NAB League football to enable coaching staff to better prescribe adequate doses of training and better prepare athletes that make the transition into the AFL.
Partners: Bendigo Pioneers
Chief investigators: Jacob Jennings (PhD Student), Dr Stephen Cousins, Dr Daniel Wundersitz, Dr Courtney Sullivan, Professor Michael Kingsley
Supervisor: Professor Michael Kingsley
Does endurance cycling increase susceptibility to cardiac pathologies?
Mr Luke Daly
Exercise conveys a wide range of health benefits that contribute to a decrease in all-causes morbidity and mortality. Despite this well-established positive relationship, in the past two decades evidence has emerged indicating that very high doses of aerobic exercise may confer a benign, or even deleterious effect on the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a high-volume acute dose of exercise on arrhythmia rate in adolescent cyclists.
Partners: Bendigo Health
Chief investigators: Mr Luke Daly (PhD candidate), Dr Daniel Wundersitz, Associate Professor Brett Gordon, Professor Michael Kingsley, Dr Voltaire Nadurata (Bendigo Health)
Supervisor: Professor Mike Kingsley
Understanding occupational engagement during the transition from military service to civilian life
Mrs Kylie Carra
The transition from military service is difficult for up to 45% of service members. This project explores how participation in everyday occupations such as employment, exercise, and art, influences health and adjustment among former members of the Australian Defence Force, using both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Supervisor: Associate Professor Brett Gordon
Assessment, diagnosis and management of people with acute Charcot Neuroarthropathy
Mr Dimitri Diacogiorgis
Using a knowledge to action translational framework an evidence based clinical pathway for the assessment diagnosis and management of people with acute Charcot Neuroarthropathy will be developed for use in the Grampians region of Victoria.
Supervisor: Dr Byron Perrin
Manipulating the Resistance Training Prescription to Optimally Restore Function
Mr Philip Lyristakis
Accurate prescription of resistant training volume and intensity is important for the design of resistance training programs. However, the most common measure used is to base the number of sets and reps off a percentage of 1RM. This method has been shown to provide questionable accuracy due to differences in participant characteristics. Therefore, further work is needed to understand how manipulation of resistance training prescription can accurately lead to improvements in strength and size of muscles, and overall function.
Chief Investigators: Mr Philip Lyristakis (PhD student), Dr Daniel Wundersitz, Associate Professor Brett Gordon, Dr Emma Zadow.
Supervisor: Associate Professor Brett Gordon
The relationship between knee osteoarthritis and muscle architecture
Mr Hugo De Amorim
This project explores whether muscle architecture is modifiable through physical activity and exercise and if this influences functional outcomes in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Supervisor: Dr Marcos de Noronha
An antenatal weight management intervention for rural women
Ms Helen Nightingale
This project will evaluate the effect of a behaviour change intervention incorporating cognitive behaviour therapy and motivational interviewing techniques on weight change in pregnancy.
Supervisor: Professor Michael Kingsley
The influence of caseload midwifery on physiological responsiveness to stress in mothers and midwives
Mr Michael Matyevich
This project will investigate the influence of caseload midwifery on physiological responsiveness to stress in mothers and midwives.
Supervisor: Professor Michael Kingsley
Masters research students
Development of a Tool to Monitor Bowling Loads in Cricket Fast Bowling
Mr Matt Constable
The purpose of my research is to develop a wearable, field-based tool to improve on current workload management methods and to reduce the risk of injury in fast bowlers without adversely impacting performance.
Supervised by Prof Michael Kingsley
Evaluation of distance running and its impact on foot strike patterns and performance
Dr Stephen Bovalino
This research project assesses the impact that distance has on foot strike patterns and performance for recreational runners, in order to gain an understanding the inter-related nature of foot strike biomechanics and distance running.
Supervised by Prof Michael Kingsley
Prescription of interval exercise for improving metabolic health
Dr Sam Harkin
Can a clinical test of physical function inform exercise prescription and measure change in a population with metabolic disease?
Metabolic disease is a significant contributor to mortality and morbidity amongst the Australian population. This study aims to validate a simple clinical test with which to guide and monitor exercise prescription in people with metabolic disease.
Supervised by Dr Brett Gordon, Dr Stephen Cousins and Dr Simon Locke
Prevalence of Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older People
Mrs Janet Cobden
This project is an AgeAbility Study, a self reporting questionnaire regarding health and activity which is currently being offered to Bendigo based Retirement Village residents. The survey will determine the prevalence of frailty in community-dwelling Retirement Villagers.
Supervised by Prof Michael Kingsley
Are Participants of Balance Programs Achieving and Maintaining a Reduction in Falls Risk?
Mrs Candice Oberholster
This project will explore if people who have attended and completed a balance training program can continue with positive balance behaviours and maintain improved balance and reduced risk of falling.
Supervisor: Dr Brett Gordon