Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity

ARENA is committed to advancing research that enhances health, wellbeing, and performance across the lifespan.

We have a growing list of achievements, and ongoing contributions to the fields of physical activity, nutrition, health technology, and healthy ageing. Our work informs programs, policies and practices that help people live healthier, more active lives.

Some examples of our community engagement and impact include:

• Events: We bring our community of collaborators together through dedicated forums, seminars, and community engagement events - The South Australian Healthy Lifestyle State Research Forum, public seminars on dementia risk reduction, and regional outreach events.
• Media engagement: As part of our focus on access, our health and lifestyle research is communicated with the broader public across national and international media platforms through a variety of traditional and digital channels, reaching millions of people each year.
• Podcast: Our ARENA-led podcast series shares actionable, evidence-based guidance and discussion on topics like healthy ageing, daily movement, athletic performance, and nutrition across the lifespan, extending our reach beyond academic channels.
• Policy and guidelines: Evidence from ARENA researchers informs national and state frameworks for physical activity, nutrition, workplace wellbeing, and school health programs, including evaluations of activity/screentime policy in out-of-school-hours care, and guidance supporting workplace wellbeing and community activity.
• Community and public health: We co-design and evaluate programs with government and community partners, such as outdoor fitness initiatives with local councils, state-wide school and youth sport projects, and regional healthy ageing activities - to improve movement, diet quality, and participation.
• Clinical and healthcare practice: ARENA-developed exercise and nutrition approaches are integrated into rehabilitation and chronic disease management and support cognitive health and dementia prevention through time-use, sleep, and activity interventions.
• Technology and innovation: We develop and validate practical digital tools (apps, wearables, and data-driven platforms) to monitor activity, sleep and diet, and support behaviour change in real-world settings.

If you are interested in participating in our research, please contact us.