Dr Joyce Ramos

Dr Ramos is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and a Lecturer and Course Coordinator of the Bachelor of Exercise Science and Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology programs at Flinders University. Her main research theme is 'Exercise is Medicine' in the prevention, treatment, and management of chronic diseases, with particular interest in Parkinson's disease, women's health, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke, and other neurological and metabolic disorders. Her research involves the understanding of the role of exercise on traditional (i.e. lipid profile, glycemic control, blood pressure, obesity, etc) and novel risk factors (i.e. vascular function, arterial stiffness, cardiac autonomic dysfunction, pancreatic beta cell function, etc.) that significantly increases a person's risk of heart disease, stroke, and other neurological and metabolic disorders. Her research is also focused on using technology as an 'exercise mimetic' or to investigate how technology can mimic the impact of exercise on overall health. The use of technology as an exercise mimetic is particularly important in those who are unable to voluntarily exercise on a regular basis or in those who are immobilized due to injury or severe deconditioned state. Finally, her investigations are also focused on the translation of experimental trials into a real-world workplace setting and the interaction of different exercise and medication dosages to optimise health. She is also currently actively investigating the impact of red light therapy (photobiomodulation) and the 'Brain X Body Fitness Studio' in people with Parkinson’s disease, in collaboration with Parkinson’s SA and The Hospital Research Foundation Group.