Gaynor Parfitt
Professor of Exercise and Health Sciences
Organisation unit
College of Health
School of Allied Health and Human Performance
Location
Adelaide University
Contact
About me
I am the Director of the Wellbeing for Australian Veterans
and Emergency Services (WAVES) and an Academic Lead within Allied Health and
Human Movement, College of Health. I moved to Adelaide as an Associate
Professor in Sport and Exercise Psychology in 2011 (relocating from the UK) and
was promoted to Professor: Health and Exercise Sciences in 2019. The change in title reflected my research that
includes the evaluation of acute and chronic effects of exercise on
psychological responses; methods to motivate exercise behaviour change within
community and rehabilitation environments; and mechanisms associated with the
affect-exercise intensity relationship.
My research has included evaluation and development of
interventions for those with, or at risk of, post-traumatic stress; assessment and
evaluation of interventions for older adults living in residential care; the
impact of exercise, and technology (including augmented and virtual reality)
interventions on physical and psychological health; and the use of perceived
exertion to control and quantify exercise intensity. I have worked with Veterans, Emergency
Services, clinical populations, their carers, and populations across the
lifespan. My research employs quantitative and qualitative methodologies to
understand the mechanisms and processes integral to psychological health and
exercise behaviour.
Last updated
on 21/01/2026
by Gaynor Parfitt