Dr Jacinta Brinsley is an Exercise Physiologist and Postdoctoral Researcher in the Alliance for Research in Nutrition, Exercise and Activity (ARENA) group at UniSA.
Her work broadly focuses on the design and implementation of behavioural interventions, such as physical activity, that equip and empower individuals and communities to achieve greater mental health and wellbeing outcomes. She collaborates with industry partners and interdisciplinary researchers, using a range of methodologies such as co-creation, participatory action research, quantitative and qualitative methods. Her projects have spanned national policy implementation, digital AI-delivered lifestyle interventions, co-design with rural young people, and... Read more
About me
Dr Jacinta Brinsley is an Exercise Physiologist and Postdoctoral Researcher in the Alliance for Research in Nutrition, Exercise and Activity (ARENA) group at UniSA.
Her work broadly focuses on the design and implementation of behavioural interventions, such as physical activity, that equip and empower individuals and communities to achieve greater mental health and wellbeing outcomes. She collaborates with industry partners and interdisciplinary researchers, using a range of methodologies such as co-creation, participatory action research, quantitative and qualitative methods. Her projects have spanned national policy implementation, digital AI-delivered lifestyle interventions, co-design with rural young people, and mind-body interventions for mental ill-health.
Jacinta has nine peer-reviewed publications (75% in Q1 journals, six first author) and has received >$180,000 in funding as lead investigator, and is a named applicant on >$2,150,000 worth of competitive funding.
About me
Exercise and Sports Science Australia
International Society for Behaviour, Nutrition and Physical Activity Research (ISBNPA)
Australasian College of Lifestyle Medicine
Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
About me
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 01/04/2020 |
The Telegraph, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/18/regular-yoga-can-help-reduce-depression-study-finds-experts/ |
| 01/04/2020 |
CNN, https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/18/health/yoga-mental-health-wellness/index.html#:~:text=Yoga%20sessions%20were%20continued%20for,conditions%20benefiting%20more%20than%20others. |
| 01/04/2020 |
Daily Mail, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8332067/Yoga-help-people-mental-health-disorders-reduce-depressive-symptoms-study-shows.html |
| 01/04/2020 |
Fox News, https://www.foxnews.com/health/yoga-could-help-coronavirus-induced-depression-study-finds |
About me
Doctor of Philosophy University of South Australia
Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) University of South Australia
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology University of South Australia
My research investigates the intersection of physical and mental health interventions, with particular emphasis on innovative delivery models that increase accessibility for underserved populations. Building on doctoral work in mind-body approaches to mental health recovery, I now lead projects applying participatory research methods and digital technologies to develop sustainable, scalable interventions that can be integrated into existing systems of care. I specialize in translating complex health evidence into engaging formats—from digital platforms to educational games—that drive meaningful behaviour change.
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Co-designing a wellbeing intervention with rural young people, SA Dept of Human Services, 25/07/2024 - 01/07/2025
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2025 |
Open access
|
| 2025 |
Open access
5
5
|
| 2025 |
Open access
|
| 2025 |
Open access
3
|
| 2025 |
Open access
12
9
|
| 2024 |
Open access
2
|
| 2024 |
Open access
9
9
98
|
| 2023 |
Open access
1
18
|
| 2023 |
Open access
4
4
2
|
| 2023 |
Open access
3
3
37
|
| 2023 |
Open access
76
62
196
|
| 2022 |
10
8
11
|
| 2021 |
Open access
15
12
2
|
| 2021 |
Open access
120
110
928
|
| 2021 |
32
25
8
|
| 2019 |
Open access
11
7
|
Research
My research investigates the intersection of physical and mental health interventions, with particular emphasis on innovative delivery models that increase accessibility for underserved populations. Building on doctoral work in mind-body approaches to mental health recovery, I now lead projects applying participatory research methods and digital technologies to develop sustainable, scalable interventions that can be integrated into existing systems of care. I specialize in translating complex health evidence into engaging formats—from digital platforms to educational games—that drive meaningful behaviour change.
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Central Queensland University | AUSTRALIA |
| CSIRO Australia (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research organisation) | AUSTRALIA |
| Federal University of Santa Maria | BRAZIL |
| Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
| Ghent University | BELGIUM |
| King's College London | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
| South Eastern Sydney LHD | AUSTRALIA |
| Telethon Kids Institute | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Manchester | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of New South Wales | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Newcastle | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Pittsburgh | UNITED STATES |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Wollongong | AUSTRALIA |
| World Health Organisation | SWITZERLAND |
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| Exploring the role of exercise physiology in supporting psychosocial and physical developmental delays in children and adolescents with diagnosed mental disorders | Current |
