About
Improving health, quality of life and society through research
At IPAN, we believe most of today’s health and societal challenges are there to be solved.
We’re focused on the role of active living, sport, food and nutrition to create healthy, thriving communities, and reduce the rates of chronic health conditions.
IPAN research is ranked well above world standard* and addresses all life stages, from conception to old age. We bring together a unique blend of multi-disciplinary researchers with expertise across health, human movement, exercise and sports science, sport management, nutrition, dietetics and disease prevention. Our research spans from high-tech lab work right through to evidence-backed policy, programs and implementation.
Since IPAN was established in 2016, we have continued to build strong relationships and worked collaboratively with hundreds of government, non-government organisations and industry partners, with a common goal to work towards a thriving society.
* Australian Research Council (2019). State of Australian University Research 2018–19: ERA National Report. Australian Research Council, Canberra.
About us
Our vision is to enable a healthy and sustainable world through research excellence.
Our purpose is to conduct multidisciplinary research in active living, sport, food and nutrition to solve population and planetary health, performance and system challenges.
People
Director
Members
Facilities
Our researchers have access to world class sport and nutrition science and laboratory facilities at Deakin’s Burwood and Geelong campuses.
This includes:
- State-of-the-art laboratories to take and analyse muscle and adipose tissue samples, common blood and urine biomarkers, ranging from simple blood lipids to more complex hormonal, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and undertake nutritional analysis.
- A research gymnasium to undertake resistance (strength) training, aerobic exercise, and high velocity functional power training tests.
Our facilities are extensively equipped with specialised equipment to allow for innovative research including:
- Dual Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines to accurately measure changes in total body and regional bone mineral density (BMD), bone structure and strength as well as body composition [lean tissue mass, fat mass, muscle cross-sectional area, subcutaneous fat area)
- Electrocardiogram to measure heart rate and heart rate variability
- Metabolic carts to measure oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, to determine a person’s metabolic rate; how many calories a person burns in a day; and whether a person prefers to burn fat or carbohydrate.
- Ultrasound machine to measure cardiovascular function including blood flow.
- Metabolic gas analysers to assess maximal oxygen uptake and blood sampling devices.
- Commercial-grade gym equipment, speed and power testing equipment.
Annual reports
2023 Annual Report
2023 Annual Report Summary
2022 Annual Report
2022 Annual report summary
2021 Annual Report
2021 Annual report summary
2020 Annual report
2020 Annual report summary
2019 Annual report
2019 Annual report summary
2018 Annual report
2018 Annual report summary
2017 Annual report
2017 Annual report summary
2016 Annual report
Our history
The Physical Activity and Nutrition Research Unit was established with just four staff (pictured) at Deakin University in 2001.
In 2003, the Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition (C-PAN) was launched by then Governor of Victoria, the Hon. John Landy AC, as a Faculty-level research centre, and in 2004 became a University Research Priority Area.
By 2010, C-PAN had become a Strategic Research Centre within Deakin, and had expanded to 40 staff. In 2016 C-PAN was designated University Research Institute status and officially became the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN).
Today, IPAN has around 130 research staff members, as well as five professional staff. Of the original founding staff, Deakin Distinguished Professor Jo Salmon is Director and Deakin Distinguished Professor Anna Timperio is a Deputy Director.
Two of the four founding members remain IPAN members. While Alfred Deakin Professors David Crawford and Kylie Ball have moved on, they are still involved with IPAN in an honorary capacity as Emeritus Professors.
In 2024, the Centre for Sport Research (CSR) was integrated into IPAN adding a diverse range of sport-related research expertise to IPAN’s existing expertise.
The original IPAN founders, L-R: Alfred Deakin Professors Jo Salmon, David Crawford, Anna Timperio and Kylie Ball