Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine - CHESM

30/03/2026

Have you ever Googled your osteoarthritis symptoms and come away more confused than when you started?
You're not alone. Online information about osteoarthritis can be unclear, outdated and inconsistent, which is why our team here at CHESM developed OVA (Osteoarthritis Virtual Assistant).

OVA is a free AI chatbot that answers your osteoarthritis questions using only trusted, evidence-based sources. No conflicting advice, no unsupported claims, just clear and reliable information based on real research. 💬✅
You can ask it things like:
🔹 "Is exercise safe for osteoarthritis?"
🔹 "When should I consider surgery?"
🔹 "Does sleep affect my joint pain?"

With around 1 in 5 Australians over 45 living with osteoarthritis, we know how important it is to have access to information you can trust, at any time of day.

OVA doesn't replace your doctor or physio, but it's a great first step for getting reliable answers to your questions.

https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/theres-now-an-osteoarthritis-chatbot-backed-by-real-research #

Online information about osteoarthritis can be unclear, outdated and inconsistent. So University of Melbourne researchers built a free, evidence-based chatbot to cut through the noise

24/03/2026

We’re looking for your input! 👇

We’re developing new programs to support lifestyle care for key health priorities in Australia:

💊 individuals using weight loss medications (GLP-1 receptor agonists)

🚶‍➡️ older adults with mobility challenges (e.g. walking difficulties)

We want to make sure the research actually matters to the people it’s designed to help and is informed by the clinicians who support them.

📝 We’re inviting both:

• Members of the public (including those with lived experience)

• Health professionals

to complete a short 5-minute survey.

Your input will directly inform how we design and evaluate future programs — ensuring our research targets the things that will make a real difference .

Go to this link or scan the QR code!
👉 https://redcap.unimelb.edu.au/surveys/?s=JWFATM47H7N3XFXJ

12/03/2026

The EMBRACE Study is currently recruiting people aged 16-40 with a recent ACL tear 🏃‍♀️

Participants receive funded treatment for 12 months, MRI scans and equipment. Go to www.embracestudy.com.au or the link in bio to find out more!

20/11/2025

Seeking volunteers in the Northern Territory with knee pain for an exercise-based research study. Three physio sessions and a home-based exercise program will be provided to some participants. COTA NT

06/11/2025

📣 Just published in JAMA Internal Medicine 📣


Research led by physiotherapist and PhD candidate Julia Zhu found a free online Tai Chi program was more effective in improving pain and function for people with chronic knee pain than an online education control

My Joint Tai Chi is freely available here: https://myjoint-taichi.org/

Read the research article here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2840563

This randomized clinical trial evaluates an unsupervised multimodal online tai chi intervention for decreased knee pain and improved function in people with knee osteoarthritis.

13/08/2025

Coming up!

OARSI Asian Alliance Committee's Free Webinar: Inflammatory and Metabolic Mechanisms in Osteoarthritis 🌏

Presented by: Professor ​Changhai Ding (MD, PhD)
Moderated by: Professor Kim Bennell (PhD)

🗓 Date: Thursday, 4 September 2025
🕤 Time: 9:30–10:30 AM (AEST)

Register to attend at: https://oarsi.org/events/9-4-2025

01/08/2025

A look back at 2024...

We are pleased to share CHESM’s 2024 Annual Report, showcasing the incredible work of our researchers, collaborators, and partners last year.

Thank you to everyone who contributed!

🔗 Read the full report here: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/d6gp

22/07/2025

Do you:
- have shoulder osteoarthritis?
- care for someone with shoulder osteoarthritis?
- provide healthcare to people with shoulder osteoarthritis?

Help the SOAR project (Shoulder Osteoarthritis Research Priority Setting Partnership) in Australia/New Zealand by completing this 5-10 minute survey at: https://uniofqueensland.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d4IlYJfXTltgL7o

14/07/2025

The EMBRACE Study is now recruiting! Seeking volunteers 16 - 40 with a recent ACL tear. Participants receive quality care from respected doctors and physios.

For more info: www.embracestudy.com.au

02/06/2025

Clinicians treating osteoarthritis - please consider taking part in the research project below, aimed at increasing knowledge and skills in osteoarthritis care!

Are you a health professional interested in increasing your knowledge and skills to deliver the best evidence-based osteoarthritis care? ⚕️🏥🦴

Join our study for free access to online Continuing Professional Education (CPE) 🤩

Visit https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=MPAWYMAWY83RPWYF for further information

01/04/2025

Join Professor Kim Bennell in discussing clinician research at the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences free, online symposium on Tuesday, 15th April at 4:00pm AEST 🧑‍🏫

Details and registration below:

Our first-ever Life as a Clinician-Scientist ‘Across the Disciplines’ symposium is coming up!

Hear from our Fellows and other leading experts from medicine, allied health and nursing as they share their unique journeys to a career path integrating cross-disciplinary research with clinical practice.

Learn how to balance your clinical work with scientific discovery and get practical advice during our Q&A's.

📅 When: Tuesday 15 April 2025
⏰Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm AEST
📍 Location: Online
🎟️ Tickets: FREE - registration essential

Register here: https://aahms.org/events/life-as-a-clinician-scientist-across-the-disciplines/

Don’t miss this chance to learn from ground-breaking clinician-scientists and shape your future!

09/09/2024

If you’re a female netball player in VIC and would love a ✨free✨ pair of shoes, contact Dr to be involved in our netball shoe study 👟🏐

Click here to see if you're eligible: https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_b3gg0tuXbVapCV8