A new app linked with a heart rate monitor could be key to helping more people incorporate physical activity into their diabetes management. The new app is one of a number of new research programs to receive funding from Diabetes Australia.

Diabetes Australia CEO Professor Greg Johnson said four important Queensland research projects were being funded.

“We are pleased to be funding Professor Jeffery Coombes who is looking at ways of helping people improve and sustain their rate of physical activity – an important part of diabetes management,” Professor Johnson said.

“Physical activity has a range of benefits for people with diabetes including helping to manage insulin levels, maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.

“People participating in Professor Coombes’ study will use a smartphone App that collects data from a wrist-worn heart rate monitoring device. The App calculates a Physical Activity Index (PAI) score reflecting how long, how often and at what intensity people do physical activity.

“Study participants will be provided with sessions to learn how to use the heart rate monitor and PAI App; develop appropriate exercises for reaching their PAI goal; and learn how to be part of a PAI eHealth community over a three-month period.

“This could be an effective way to help some people with type 2 diabetes incorporate more physical activity into their lives.”

Diabetes Queensland CEO Sturt Eastwood welcomed the research funding.

“In the last century diabetes research has changed the way people live with and think about diabetes and I’m excited to see what the future holds,” Mr Eastwood said.

“We will continue to fundraise and invest in diabetes research until we’ve found a cure.”

The Awards will be presented tonight at a special National Diabetes Week event in Brisbane.

The Diabetes Australia Research Program was established in 1987 to support and develop diabetes related research across Australia. The program provides funding towards the prevention, management and cure of all types of diabetes, as well as enabling and fostering young and upcoming researchers in the field of diabetes research.

Each year outstanding research projects are selected through a merit based, competitive, peer review process.

• Professor Jonathan Golledge, James Cook University: *Testing a novel treatment for diabetes-associated ischemic foot ulceration
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• Professor Jeffery Coombes, University of Queensland: Feasibility, Acceptability and Efficacy of the Physical Activity Index (PAI) e-health Program in Type 2 Diabetes

• Professor Josephine Forbes, University of Queensland: Targeting mitochondrial dysfunction to treat diabetic kidney disease

• Dr Moe Thuzar, University of Queensland: Defining the Novel Effects of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism on Adiposity and Glucose Homeostasis – A Randomised Controlled Trial