Cardiovascular Health

Research Team

Major measurements

Dr Walter Abhayaratna Director, Clinical Trials Unit, Academic Unit of Internal Medicine, The Canberra Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University

Assoc Prof Marc Budge Senior Specialist, Dept of Geriatrics, The Canberra Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University

Dr David Coles Senior Cardiologist, The Canberra Hospital

Dr Wichat Srikusalanukul Research Scientist, Dept of Geriatrics, The Canberra Hospital

Ms Kate Hayes Research Assistant, Clinical Trials Unit, Canberra Hospital

Ms Christine O'Reilly Cardiac Sonographer, Clinical Trials Unit, Canberra Hospital

Ms Stacey Potter Sonographer, Dept of Cardiology, Canberra Hospital

Dr Satoru Sakuragi Postdoctoral Fellow, Clinical Trials Unit, Canberra Hospital

Two sets of measures will be undertaken to characterize the vascular structure and function of the children using cardiac and carotid echo measures, as well as pulse wave analysis measures.

Echocardiography and carotid ultrasound techniques are performed to measure cardiac and arterial structure and function.

Pulse wave analysis captures the radial and carotid pulse wave forms to derive measures of aortic stiffness

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Metabolic Function (Risk factors for Chronic Disease)

Research Team

Major measurements

Dr Paul Waring Coordinator, Haematology and Biochemical Studies, Commonwealth Institute (Aust) and Senior Researcher, Department of Chemistry, Australian National University

Assoc Professor Peter Hickman Director of Chemical Pathology ACT Pathology, The Canberra Hospital , and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University .

Professor Julia Potter Executive Director, ACT Pathology, The Canberra Hospital , and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University

Professor Jonathan Shaw Deputy Director and Consultant Physician, International Diabetes Institute

Dr David Dunstan Manager, Physical Activity Research & VicHealth Research Fellow, International Diabetes Institute

Associate Professor Graham Reynolds Director, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, The Canberra Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University

Dr Tony Lafferty Paediatric Endocrinologist, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, The Canberra Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University

Dr Emma Southcott Senior Scientist, Department of Pathology, The Canberra Hospital

Assoc Prof David Pyne Principal Research Scientist, Department of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University

Professor Richard Telford Research Director, Commonwealth Institute ( Australia ), and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University

Resting and fasted blood samples are collected at two year intervals Standard blood markers of chronic disease being measured include plasma glucose, insulin, glycated haemoglobin, cholesterol fractions, triglycerides and several markers of chronic inflammation such as C-reactive protein.

We are also storing blood to assay for a variety of newer measures of risk of degenerative disease. Allied to this section is our study of the effect of physical activity on immune function, and several of the blood variables involved with metabolism and/or inflammation, such as a group called the cytokines, are being investigated in their multiple roles

Skeletal Health

Research Team

Major measurements

Dr Gaele Ducher Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University

Dr Ahmad Javaid Director, Nuclear Medicine, Canberra Hospital

Ms Karen Gravenmaker Research Technician, Department of Geriatrics, The Canberra Hospital

Dr Rob Daly Research Fellow, Centre of Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University

Prof. Markus Seibel Chair of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Concord Hospital Medical Centre.

Assoc Prof Geraldine Naughton Director, Centre of Physical Activity Across the Lifespan, School of Exercise Science Australian Catholic University

Two separate tests are involved.

DXA scans measure bone density and pQCT scans measure bone geometry.

From these data measures of strength of long bones can be calculated and limb cross-sectional areas of muscle and fat can be determined.

Balance, Movement, Skill

Research Team

Major measurement areas

Mr. Mark McGrath Development Manager and Program Coach, Bluearth Institute

Mr. Wayne Haynes Human Movement Specialist, Bluearth Institute, Melbourne

Ms Susan Telford Primary School Education Consultant, Commonwealth Institute ( Australia ) and Department of Psychology, Australian National University .

Characterization of perceptual style is carried out using a computer version of the rod and frame test. 

Balance control is determined by children holding five different postures on a large computerized rocker board, of similar shape and size to a surf board. 

Fine motor control is assessed using the nut and bolt test

Hand-eye coordination is measured with an indoor throw-catch procedure developed for this study.

Physical Activity Measurement

Research Team

Major measurements

Mr Rohan Telford, Exercise Scientist and LOOK Program and Data Base Manager, The Commonwealth Institute, Canberra, and Department of Psychology, Australian National University

Professor Richard Telford Research Director, Commonwealth Institute ( Australia ), and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University .

To estimate physical activity, all children will undergo 7-day pedometer assessments every year, sometimes twice yearly. To estimate vigorous physical activity, questionnaires are administered to the parents to gauge the extent of family and community based sporting and active recreation pursuits as well as sedentary activities such as television and computer game playing.

Dietary Control

Research Team

Major measurement areas

Ms Mary Kay Martin Nutritional Science Consultant, Canberra

Professor Richard Telford Research Director, Commonwealth Institute ( Australia ) and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University

Ms Katie Birch Nutritional Science Consultant, Canberra

The methodology used in the The survey methodology is a validated 24-hour dietary record. Detailed instructions on how to complete the records and how to measure the food and beverages with household measuring cups and spoons are provided to parents and teachers. In 2009 analyses will be extended to include 7 day dietary recording.

Psychology

Research Team

Major measurements

Prof Don Byrne Head, Clinical and Health Psychology, Australian National University

Ms Kerry Thomas Technical Officer, Dept of Psychology, Australian National University

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We are investigating the influence of physical activity and physical education on psychological well being and the development of health facilitative or health risk behaviors and attitudes.

Various validated questionnaires are involved in the assessment, several of which have been specially modified for LOOK..

Immunological Competence

Research Team

Major measurements

Assoc Prof. David Pyne Principal Research Scientist, Australian Institute of Sport, and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University

Dr Philo Saunders Senior Sports Scientist, Australian Institute of Sport

Blood markers of immune system function, together with medical history. Taken from the blood sample mentioned above. Assessment by exercise immunology team at AIS. No further time required.

Environment and Family Influence

Research Team

Major measurement areas

Assoc Professor Geraldine Naughton Director, Centre of Physical Activity Across the Lifespan, School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University

Prof. John Carlson Director ,Centre for Ageing, Rehabilitation, Exercise & Sport, Victoria University .

Assoc Prof. Graham Reynolds Director, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, The Canberra Hospital

Dr Tony Lafferty Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University Endocrinologist, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, The Canberra Hospital, and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University

A questionnaire for parents has been devised to gather information on child and family medical history, ethnicity, weight and height at birth, breast and bottle feeding history, health of mother during pregnancy.

We also provide questions relating to parents' involvement and attitudes toward physical activity, sport and active leisure pursuits for both themselves and children.

A series of questions aim to estimate the amount of television and video game involvement, the family meal patterns, beverage consumption and sleep patterns of the child.

Physical Fitness and Anthropometry

Research Team

Major measurements

Mr Rohan Telford Exercise Scientist and LOOK Program and Data Base Manager, The Commonwealth Institute, Canberra, and Department of Psychology, Australian National University

Professor Richard Telford Research, Director, Commonwealth Institute ( Australia ), and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University .

The 20 m shuttle run is used to estimate the aerobic fitness of the children. It is well established as a field test and used with children in many studies

Single effort lower body power is measured by a vertical jump, and trunk (core) strength is measured using the duration the child can hold a self-supported prone position. This test was developed for the study in preference to the commonly used “sit-up” test.

Pedagogy

Research Team

Major measurement areas

Mr. Darryl Stuckey Head of Physical Education, University of Canberra

Dr Robert Fitzgerald Research Fellow, University of Canberra , Learning Communities Research Area, University of Canberra

The externally administered physical education program is administered by coaches supplied by the Bluearth Institute ( Melbourne , Victoria www.bluearth.org ). It is taught in conjunction with the primary school teachers who take two cal intervention classes per week in approximately half of our schools over the four years. The class-room teachers take part in a participation-based training program leading to taking the Discovery classes themselves. The program emphasizes engagement and enjoyment for all children, a basic aim being to facilitate the development of intrinsic motivation for physical activity.

The effect of the intervention program on both students and their teachers is being studied from an educational perspective, adopting a mixed methods approach that includes surveys, case studies and class observations in all 31 schools. In so doing we investigate students' attitudes and perceptions about school physical education.

Academic Achievement

Research Team

Major measurements

Dr Laurie Prosser Education Program Manager, WorkSafe K.I.D.S.

Dr Xiaoli Jiang Lecturer, International Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ballarat

Professor Richard Telford Research Director, Commonwealth Institute ( Australia ), and Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University .

There is some concern that physical education in primary schools may jeopardize academic progression. We will address this concern in relation to literacy and numeracy. Assessment of each student's literacy and numeracy is carried out using a literacy and numeracy test administered to all grade 3,5,7 students by the Government.