University research team offers free 12-month training program

A NEW program at Southern Cross University is offering 12 months of free training for people hoping to improve their health and fitness.

Open to Move is designed to support physical activity by helping participants build sustainable, long-term habits.

The program will be delivered in an online training format and is open to people aged 18 to 69. Participants receive 12 months of regular free support, including six months of individualised mentoring with a physical activity researcher. This includes online one-to-one

Zoom meetings and activity tracking via an app.

Lead researcher and professor Christian Swann said the program is aimed at helping people who want to become more active.

“We are really proud to launch Open to Move,” he said.

“It’s an exciting project designed by some of the world’s leading physical activity researchers, and we hope it’ll help people who are trying to get more active.

“We’re able to provide free support for a whole year, including regular one-to-one meetings during the first six months, which is designed to help people build habits and stick with a more active lifestyle long-term.

“Best of all, we may even be able to help people achieve their New Year’s resolutions in 2025.”

Dr Melanie Clarke is part of the team at SCU and is a postdoctoral research fellow with a decade of experience in cardiovascular exercise physiology.

Davide Gargioli also comes from SCU and has studied and worked throughout Europe.

The nine researchers all have a background in sport and exercise psychology, physical activity, exercise physiology and sport science.

The project is supported by the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Project in collaboration with universities across NSW, Queensland and overseas.

Participants have access to the research team and will be able to provide feedback through interviews and surveys.