Empowering older adults in Brazil through movement
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health
- Sep 23
- 2 min read
An exciting new international research collaboration between Brazil and Australia is set to transform healthy ageing. The project, Optimising mobility for older adults with multiple chronic conditions in Brazil, has received $2.1 million in funding from FAPESP and the NHMRC through the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD).
The initiative will adapt, implement and evaluate a co-designed, evidence-based digital exercise program within Brazil’s public health system.
Building on proven success
Led by Professor Monica Perracini (Universidade Cidade de São Paulo) and Professor Cathie Sherrington (University of Sydney), the project builds on the success of the Australian TOP UP trial. TOP UP showed how virtual physiotherapy, tailored exercise videos, support from aged care workers, and personalised goal tracking can improve mobility, prevent falls, and enhance quality of life for older adults.
Now, we will be working closely with a team in Brazil, local health professionals, community members, and older adults themselves to ensure the program is culturally relevant, accessible, and effective in the Brazilian context.
Strengthening Brazil’s health system
This project represents a major step toward embedding digital health solutions into Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS). With strong potential for nationwide scale-up, the program could be integrated as a care pathway within Brazil’s primary healthcare system, making exercise-based mobility support more widely available than ever before.
A global collaboration
The project draws on world-class expertise from across disciplines. Co-investigators from the University of Sydney include Professor Jaime Miranda, Professor Ian Cameron, Professor Anne Tiedemann, Associate Professor Leanne Hassett, Dr Marina Pinheiro, Dr Abby Haynes, Dr Rik Dawson, Professor Kirsten Howard, and Professor Andrew Milat.
Together, this collaboration between Brazil and Australia aims to empower older adults, promote independence, and improve quality of life - through movement.
Written by Ana Helena Salles Dos Reis and Courtney West.
