Honorary Research Associate
BA/BSc (Hons) PhD
Dr Bonnie Furzer (AEP) holds an academic role within the School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science) at The University of Western Australia, along with a clinical role as Exercise Physiology Program Coordinator at Fremantle Hospital Mental Health Service.
She is the founding Director of Thriving in Motion, a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to build strong, happy and healthy young people through exercise and education, which was awarded ESSA 2020 Practice of the Year and has been delivering exercise for WA young people for over 10 years.
Bonnie’s primary areas of work focus on the implementation of exercise to improve or support the physical and mental health of populations with unique needs (e.g., children and young people, people living with mental illness), and she is the co-lead for the UWA Mental Health & Exercise Research Group. Her research has a particular focus on translation into practice, which aligns with her clinical work and teaching.
Bonnie is the Director of Education and Program Lead for Clinical Exercise Physiology at UWA School of Human Sciences, Chair of the national Exercise Physiology Advisory Group (Exercise & Sport Science Australia), member of the Invictus Australia Research Advisory Committee and plays a highly active role in industry and community activities.
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Publications
January 2023
Reliability of Fitness Assessments in Children With Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties
Examine the reliability of field-based fitness assessments in school-aged children with emotional or behavioral difficulties (EBD). Understanding the impact of fitness on physical activity participation for children with EBD is limited by our ability to reliably measure it.
Published research Early Childhood Development Psychology of Active, Healthy Living Child and adolescent health Physical activityNovember 2023The Stride program: Feasibility and pre-to-post program change of an exercise service for university students experiencing mental distress
Rates of mental illness are disproportionately high for young adult and higher education (e.g., university student) populations. As such, universities and tertiary institutions often devote significant efforts to services and programs that support and treat mental illness and/or mental distress. However, within that portfolio of treatment approaches, structured exercise has been relatively underutilised and greater research attention is needed to develop this evidence base.
Published research Youth mental health Psychology of Active, Healthy Living Mental health Physical activity -
Education and Qualifications