Sonja Coetzee contributes to teaching, research and work integrated learning (WIL) in the School of Health at UniSC. She teaches in the Clinical Exercise Physiology program with a focus on evidence-based professional practice and applied clinical skills training for students. Sonja is also the practicum coordinator for the final year Clinical Exercise Physiology students and engages with and supports both external supervisors and students during the WIL experience.
Prior to her current appointment Sonja held academic positions at Southern Cross University in NSW (2012-19) and the North-West University in South Africa (2004-2011), where she was also a Captain and practicing Biokineticist in the South African Military Health Service.
Sonja is an accredited exercise physiologist and an ISAK Level 3 Anthropometrist and has an interest in exercise as medicine in the management of various chronic conditions as well as exercise rehabilitation for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Her research initially focused on metabolic conditions but has expanded to include the areas of WIL, exercise interventions for musculoskeletal injuries, body composition and its relation to health and assessment, and more recently; aquatic exercise in the management of chronic conditions like ME/CFS and Parkinson’s Disease.
Research Grants
|
Grant/Project name |
Investigators |
Funding body & A$ value |
Year(s) |
Focus (of research grant) |
|
A six-month aquatic programme for individuals with ME/CFS: potential benefits for symptoms, health and physical capacity. |
Dr S. Coetzee A/Prof. S. Broadbent |
Judith Jane Mason and Harold Stannett Williams Memorial Foundation $100,000.00 |
2018-2020 |
Aquatic exercise in the management of ME/CFS |
|
Aquatic therapy as treatment intervention for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a pilot study |
Dr S. Coetzee
|
Southern Cross University $4,000.00 |
2016-2017 |
Pilot study: Aquatic exercise in the management of ME/CFS |
Research areas
- Exercise as medicine in the management of metabolic conditions
- Exercise rehab for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions
- ME / CFS aquatic exercise rehabilitation
- Exercise rehab for Parkinson’s Disease patients
- Body Composition in Health and Exercise
Teaching areas
- Clinical Exercise Physiology Professional Practicum
- Exercise in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
- Clinical Skills for Exercise Physiology
Sonja's research interest include exercise as medicine in the management of various chronic conditions as well as exercise rehabilitation for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Her research focuses on metabolic conditions, body composition and its relation to health and assessment, aquatic exercise in the management of chronic conditions like ME/CFS and Parkinson's Disease.