Exercise Medicine Research Institute
Celebrating Two Decades of Innovation, Impact, and Community Service
Global Leadership in Exercise Oncology
Since its establishment in 2003, the Exercise Medicine Research Institute at Edith Cowan University has led the global transformation of exercise from supportive care into a potent therapeutic tool in cancer management.
We authored the first national guidelines on exercise for cancer in 2009, updated in 2019. These are now embedded in cancer care across Australia and adopted internationally in more than 70 countries.
Our research has been cited in over 100 global policy and clinical guidelines including those from the World Health Organization, ASCO, ESMO, and NICE.
Our work has been instrumental in launching and leading global organisations such as the International Society of Exercise Oncology (ISEO) and coordinating international clinical trials including INTERVAL-GAP4.
Scientific and Clinical Breakthroughs
- Identified long-term toxicities associated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).
- Demonstrated that resistance exercise can prevent and reverse muscle loss in men undergoing prostate cancer treatment.
- Showed that exercise improves physical function in patients receiving long-term ADT.
- Designed and validated an exercise program to prevent bone loss in men undergoing ADT for prostate cancer.
- Reported that structured, targeted exercise can enhance sexual function following prostate cancer treatment.
- Found that exercise reduces psychological distress in people with cancer.
- Investigated various exercise modalities to alleviate cancer-related fatigue.
- Demonstrated that combined exercise and nutritional interventions can reverse fat gain during prostate cancer treatment.
- Explored the role of exercise in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing non-surgical treatment.
- Developed and validated a novel exercise protocol that is safe and effective for patients with bone metastatic cancer—challenging long-standing concerns about fracture risk.
- Established the feasibility of prehabilitation exercise prior to prostate and rectal cancer surgeries.
- Showed that exercise training elevates anti-cancer myokines in prostate and breast cancer patients.
- Demonstrated that preoperative exercise for bladder cancer surgery enhances the patients reserve capacity and “fitness for surgery” both physically and mentally.
- Investigated the potential role of exercise in neuro-oncology.
- Highlighted the impact of muscle and fat mass on cancer survival and how exercise can improve outcomes.
- Showed differential effects of initiating exercise at treatment onset versus post-treatment.
Community-Based Impact and Translation
Developed the Life Now program for Cancer Council WA—now offered across the state and benefiting hundreds of people with cancer annually.
Created the ManPlan program for AbbVie Pharmaceuticals to combat ADT side effects in men with prostate cancer.
Played a key role in introducing ‘Living Longer Living Stronger’—a fitness program for older adults—across Western Australia.
Established the Vario Health Clinic, which has delivered over 650,000 patient visits and serves as a hub for exercise oncology, chronic disease care, and clinical education.
Delivered telehealth exercise programs for patients in rural and remote areas and expanded services to populations with spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders.
Outstanding Research and Talent Development
Secured significant research funds from NHMRC, Cancer Council WA, Movember, and international partners over two decades.
Published hundreds of peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals, with a strong track record of international collaboration and high citation impact.
Home to globally recognised researchers with outstanding publications broadly cited, and ongoing mentorship of emerging leaders in exercise oncology.
Our Higher Degree Research (HDR) program continues to thrive, with dozens of students contributing to groundbreaking research.
Hosted visiting scholars, clinicians, and collaborators from institutions all over the world including Memorial Sloan Kettering, Harvard, and the University of California San Francisco.
