Investigating the influence of caseload midwifery on physiological responsiveness to stress in mothers and midwives

Supervisors

Professor Michael Kingsley and Dr. Brad Wright              

Michael completed an Undergraduate degree in Psychological Sciences at La Trobe University, including an Honours year supervised by Dr Brad Wright in 2021 investigating how chronic workplace stress influences cognition. During his studies, Michael worked as a Behaviour Support Practitioner and Data Analyst at My Right 2 Voice, a NDIS provider of specialist disability services. It was here that Michael says he was inspired to undertake a PhD after experiencing how evidence-based practice, informed by quantitative knowledge, can make meaningful changes to the lives of those most vulnerable.

The physiological response to stress in mothers and midwives

A wealth of research links chronic and occupational stress with poor health outcomes. However, less is known about the relationship between physiological responsiveness to stress and chronic stress. This is particularly pertinent for vulnerable groups such as pregnant mothers and midwives who are ‘at-risk’ of experiencing negative health and behavioural outcomes related to chronic stress.

Looking towards the confirmation of candidature

Michael began his PhD in mid-2022 and has plans to meet the first milestone of the doctorate, confirmation of candidature, in May 2023. Over the next three months, Michael hopes to complete a draft manuscript of the first paper from his thesis as well as completing ethics applications for studies 2 and 3. By the end of 2023, Michael hopes to have completed data collection for all studies from his thesis and to have published his first study in a peer-reviewed journal.

Reflecting on his studies so far

Michael reports that the first year of his PhD has taught him about the research process, including research formulation, ethics applications, data collection and analysis techniques. He also credits his doctorate with improving his ability to critically appraise research and better formulate and articulate his views.

When thinking about his future career, Michael hopes that his studies equip him with the ability to produce high quality research so that he can continue to inform how health and well-being can be positively impacted for the most vulnerable groups within the community.

From the Bendigo Braves to winter discipline Olympic athletes, if you missed out last blog mini-series speaking with past research students you can find it here.

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Philip Lyristakis

Manipulating the resistance training prescription to optimally develop muscle strength

Supervisors

Dr. Stephen Cousins, Dr. Daniel Wundersitz, Dr. Emma Zadow and Associate Professor Brett Gordon

Prior to committing to the PhD program at La Trobe University, Philip completed Undergraduate and Masters degrees in Sport and Exercise Science while also working in the health and fitness industry. In addition to this, Philip also worked with both state and national level athletes as a strength and conditioning coach. Commencing in January 2020, Philip and his supervisory team which includes Holsworth Research Initiative Stream Leads Associate Brett Gordon and Dr Daniel Wundersitz developed a framework for a PhD that capitalises on Philips background in strength and conditioning.

A dose-response function to muscle strength

There is a significant body of research that has investigated how different weight training programs and their training variables influence muscle strength. However, the available literature is yet to demonstrate the relationship between a training variable (i.e. sets, and repetitions) and muscle strength adaptations. One of the aims of Philips PhD is to identify a dose-response function to muscle strength, which is essentially the amount of work performed in a training program and improvements in strength as a result of that work. Philip has so far published one manuscript from his PhD titled The influence of considering individual resistance training variables as a whole on muscle strength: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Looking towards the pre-submission presentation

Philip is on the home stretch of his PhD journey having completed his confirmation of candidature in 2021 and his mid-candidature presentation in 2022. The final milestone before submission is a pre-submission presentation which Philip is hoping to complete in December of this year. To achieve that milestone, Philip reports that he needs to analyse data for the systematic review and meta-analysis and write manuscripts for the remaining studies within his thesis. Philip hopes to have two manuscripts accepted for publication by December of this year with the final manuscript accepted or submitted for publication and awaiting feedback.

Reflecting on his studies so far

Reflecting on his studies, Philip reports significant improvements in his time-management, project management, organisation, and communication skills over the last three years. These are all qualities that will serve Philip well in his ambition to work domestically at a Sport Institute or internationally as a Strength and Conditioning Coach. We look forward to Philips pre-submission presentation and reporting his research outcomes from published papers in the near future.

Join us next month as we hear from Michael Matyevich, a HDR student supervised by HRI Director Professor Michael Kingsley.

From the Bendigo Braves to winter discipline Olympic athletes, if you missed out last blog mini-series speaking with past research students you can find it here.

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Hugo Eduardo De Amorim

Barriers and facilitators for exercise-based rehabilitation in the management of knee/hip osteoarthritis

Supervisors

Dr. Marcos de Noronha, Dr Jayden Hunter, Prof. Michael Kingsley

Hugo came to La Trobe University, Bendigo in 2021 after being successful in his application for a PhD scholarship with the Holsworth Research Initiative. Shortly after arriving, Hugo and his supervisors worked together to develop a framework for a suite of investigations that would both align with Hugo’s background in physiotherapy and meet the key aims of the Holsworth Research Initiative in exercise, physical activity, and rehabilitation. What evolved from those discussions was a thesis that would investigate barriers and facilitators for exercise-based rehabilitation in the management of knee/hip osteoarthritis.

The first-line treatment for osteoarthritis

Globally, the prevalence of osteoarthritis is rising, and increasing with the ageing of the population. There is no question that exercise-based rehabilitation has an important place in knee and hip osteoarthritis treatment, however the adherence to exercise programs is low. This is despite the clear recommendation in most clinical guidelines that exercise-based rehabilitation be the first-line treatment for osteoarthritis to assist with pain, physical function, symptoms of anxiety and depression, social activities and quality of life. Hugo and his supervisors aim to understand why people do not take-up or adhere to exercise-based rehabilitation and how it can be modified to improve sustained participation. An important component to Hugo’s research is the identification of barriers and facilitators to exercise-based rehabilitation in the management of knee/hip osteoarthritis for people from both metropolitan and regional/rural areas.

Looking towards the mid-candidature review

Hugo was successful in his confirmation of candidature at the end of 2022 which is a significant milestone in the first year of a Doctoral Candidature. A presentation is made by the Higher Degree by Research Student to an Academic Panel who must decide if the outlined project will result in a high-quality thesis and that it will be completed in the required time. Hugo is now working towards his mid-candidature review in May 2023 and hopes to present the findings from his systematic review at an international conference in 2023. In the meantime, Hugo is forging ahead with his research creating a survey about barriers and facilitators for people with knee/hip osteoarthritis to exercise-based rehabilitation. Following this, Hugo and his supervisors will develop an intervention to improve sustained participation in exercise programs with the aim to help clinicians to implement clinical guidelines and patients to adhere to treatment.

Reflecting on his studies so far

Reflecting on his studies, Hugo expects that the time management skills, patience, and resilience that has been required so far will serve him well in his future career. We have no doubt that Hugo will be successful and look forward to reporting his research outcomes.

Join us next month as we hear from Philip Lyristakis, a HDR student supervised by Active Rural Individuals Stream Lead, Associate Professor Brett Gordon.

From the Bendigo Braves to winter discipline Olympic athletes, if you missed out last blog mini series speaking with past research students you can find it here.

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