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The best exercise for Maori men

Year:
2012
Duration:
33 months
Approved budget:
$335,538.00
Researchers:
Associate Professor Isaac Warbrick
Health issue:
Diabetes
Proposal type:
Māori Health Postdoctoral Fellowship
Lay summary
The relatively high prevalence of diabetes in Maori is linked to behavioural factors (overeating and sedentarism); however Maori also have a biological disposition toward this disorder. Although standardised exercise programmes have proven to be effective in reducing diabetic risk, their efficacy is unclear for Maori. Furthermore, culturally inappropriate exercise programme design and a culturally-biased activity preference reduce recruitment and adherence. In this study, a mixed method design enables both physiological and cultural factors to be assessed. A comparison of the acceptability and efficacy of resistance training and aerobic exercise as a way to reduce diabetes risk will be undertaken in ‘overweight’ Maori men. This study represents an innovative and Maori-centric approach to tackling a disease that encourages early mortality and a low quality of life for many Maori. Importantly, the opportunity to progress the development of a Kaupapa Maori health researcher exists in an area of great need for Maori. This grant was awarded to Massey University but was later transfered to Auckland University of Technology.