How can we ensure people receive the full health benefits of exercise? According to Professor Michael Kingsley, the answer lies not only in encouraging physical activity, but in ensuring exercise is accurately prescribed, delivered appropriately, and undertaken as intended.
Professor Kingsley, Dean of Science at the University of Auckland and Director of the Holsworth Research Initiative, will examine this challenge when he delivers the inaugural Holsworth Biomedical Research Centre Oration at La Trobe University, Bendigo, on Thursday, 25 June 2026.
In his presentation, Professor Kingsley will explore the concept of exercise as medicine, focusing on how exercise dose and programme fidelity interact to shape health outcomes. While the benefits of physical activity are well established, he argues that insufficient attention is paid to how interventions are implemented in practice, which limits their real-world impact.
“Exercise is only effective when optimised prescription, appropriate delivery, and uptake as intended are achieved”, Professor Kingsley said.
The inaugural oration is a significant milestone for the recently established Holsworth Biomedical Research Centre within the La Trobe Rural Health School, and will highlight the importance of supporting participation at the individual, community and systems levels, particularly in rural and regional communities where chronic disease rates remain disproportionately high.
Professor Kingsley noted that the event marks an important milestone in the evolution of the Holsworth Biomedical Research Centre.
“Over more than a decade, Dr Bill and Mrs Carol Holsworth along with the Bendigo Tertiary Education Anniversary Foundation have provided important support for local research that has grown from a relatively small project into a substantial and impactful programme of research. The establishment of the centre creates an exciting opportunity to build on that legacy and define the next phase of its development.”
The inaugural oration will bring together rural health practitioners, researchers, industry professionals, and community partners to engage with the latest evidence in exercise science and its role in improving health outcomes.
