CHESM 2025 Annual Report Showcases a Year of Research Excellence

The Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine (CHESM) has published its 2025 Annual Report, showcasing another year of outstanding achievements in research, education, and knowledge translation.

The report highlights the work of CHESM's multidisciplinary team of 35 staff and research students, whose expertise spans physiotherapy, exercise science, podiatry, osteopathy, biomechanics, and biostatistics. Together, the team secured 24 new research grants, published 81 peer-reviewed research papers, and delivered 71 presentations and webinars throughout 2025.

The quality of CHESM's research continues to be recognised internationally. More than half of all publications appeared in the world's top 10% of journals, with research published in leading journals including Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Journal of Physiotherapy, The Lancet, and the New England Journal of Medicine.

The report also celebrates significant individual achievements across the Centre. Associate Professor Stephanie Filbay was awarded an NHMRC Investigator Grant, Dr Belinda Lawford secured MRFF funding, and promotions were awarded to Associate Professor Mark Merolli and Dr Rachel Nelligan. CHESM Director Professor Kim Bennell was recognised with an Order of Australia (AM) for distinguished service to physiotherapy and musculoskeletal health research.

Beyond research outputs, CHESM continued to expand its global impact through freely available online resources, which reached more than 17,000 users across 145 countries. The CHESM Knowledge Translation Network also grew substantially, engaging more than 12,000 clinicians and consumers worldwide.

The 2025 Annual Report reflects CHESM's ongoing commitment to conducting and translating high-quality research that improves outcomes for people living with musculoskeletal conditions while supporting the next generation of researchers.