Marcus Butler
16 April 2016: A University of Canberra researcher has been recognised by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) for his thesis on the positive effects of exercise on mental health.
Rob Stanton graduated from the University of Canberra in October and was appointed an adjunct associate professor in the University's Faculty of Health earlier this year.
He received the 2015 ESSA Medal for his thesis, Developing an understanding of exercise in the inpatient mental health setting at a recent ceremony in Melbourne.
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Dr Rob Stanton graduated with his PhD from the University of Canberra in October 2015, his thesis has earned him the top graduate award from Exercise and Sports Science Australia. Photo: Michelle McAulay
Dr Stanton said the award, for the most outstanding PhD thesis in the field of exercise and sports science and related fields was not just recognition of his work, but also of the topic of mental health and exercise.
"Receiving the ESSA medal is especially important in bringing to the fore, the importance of exercise in the treatment of mental illness.
"Exercise physiologists can play a significant role in a multidisciplinary health team working in mental health care," he said.
Dr Stanton's research found that allowing mental health inpatients to choose their own exercise regime, based on how it makes them feel, helped to improve mood, wellbeing and alleviate symptoms they were experiencing.
"I am continuing to work alongside my PhD supervisor (Synergy Director Brenda Happell) at UC and I have some papers being reviewed which examine the physical health of people receiving mental health care."
"Mental health care is an important area of health, and exercise is a low-cost, high-impact and effective option to improve the outcomes of people with mental health from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia," he said.
Dr Stanton is also working with bio-mechanists at Central Queensland University to examine the validity of some smartphone applications which are used to measure a range of performance characteristics in healthy and athletic populations."
"I'm really proud of being named the 2015 ESSA Medal winner. The award is also recognition of the great work by my supervisors during my PhD research, including Professor Happell and associate professor Peter Reaburn from CQU," he said.
Along with the 2015 ESSA medal, Dr Stanton also received a $1,500 cash prize.
