Cane and Able Exercise Physiology

19/01/2026

“I went to James to seek support regarding my knees... His advice and recommendations went above what I could have hoped for.”

This lovely client, Bianca, first came to see me with long-standing knee pain that had been affecting her daily life for years. After previous surgeries and ongoing discomfort, her goal was simple: reduce her pain and feel more confident moving again.

Through a thorough assessment, a tailored treatment plan, and exercise progression that respected pain while still building strength, she’s now back to daily activities with minimal issues — including travelling overseas with lots of walking and stairs, and navigating long days on her feet as a teacher.

What I value most is not just pain reduction, but helping people feel supported, informed, and confident in their bodies again.

"If you're looking for an Exercise Physiologist that you know you can trust and will always act in your best interests, James is the person to go to."
You can read Bianca's full review below, on our website, or Google review page:

"My experience at Cane and Able Exercise Physiology has been amazing. I went to James to seek support regarding my knees in the hope that he would simply be able to give me exercises that I could do at home, to strengthen them and where possible, to improve them. His advice and recommendations went above what I could have hoped for.

James was very thorough in his assessment of the situation and after my first consultation, not only did he provide me with my home exercise plan, he also forwarded me different pieces of information & research for me to read in case I wanted to go deeper and understand more fully what was actually happening and how these exercises could help me. He is very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about what he does.

I found James to be a very sincere and caring person who genuinely cares about each of his clients. He made himself available between appointments for text messages, emails and/or phone calls, should I need/want to ask him any questions, or follow anything up with him. His priority was to see my situation improve in a safe environment with exercises that proved to be safe yet challenging, while at the same, having the capacity to increase in resistance. It was a wonderful mix of safety with challenges, trusting that there would be an improvement and I would be able to increase the level of resistance and challenge to further strengthen my knees and legs. That is exactly what is happening. I will continue to follow his protocol for as long as possible and should I need any further care or advice, I will be returning to James. I cannot recommend him highly enough. If you're looking for an Exercise Physiologist that you know you can trust and will always act in your best interests, James is the person to go to. Thank you James!!!"

17/01/2026

A new case study tracked deep brain activity in a person with severe obesity taking tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro/Zepbound), and found the drug briefly quieted the brain’s craving and “food noise” circuits linked to compulsive eating.

Implantable electrodes showed that while cravings dropped sharply on medication, the effect faded over time, suggesting the brain eventually adapts and cravings can return.

Tirzepatide and similar drugs (like Wegovy and Ozempic) are GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists which have received a lot of attention in recent years and are now widely prescribed for the management of diabetes and obesity because they reduce appetite and support weight loss. However, this case study shows that their impact on craving-related brain activity may only be temporary.

More research is certainly needed to understand how to achieve safe and long-lasting control over food preoccupation and binge eating beyond what these medications currently offer, but for now many researchers emphasise that these medications are not a standalone therapy, rather a multi-modal approach is often best given the complex nature of obesity.
Reference article source: "Brain Activity Associated with Breakthrough food Preoccupation in an Individual on Tirzepatide" (2025), published in Nature Medicine, and authored by Seilheimer, W. Bryan Wilent, David Bakalov, Nida Firdous, Marie Kerr, Disha Joshi, Gabriella Maze, Uros Topalovic, Daniel Batista, Nanthia Suthana, Anastassia Amaro, Matthew R. Hayes, Iahn Cajigas, Mario Cristancho, Kelly C. Allison, Bijan Pesaran, Katherine W. Scangos, Joshua I. Gold, Thomas A. Wadden, Casey H. Halpern.

15/01/2026

A new systematic review reinforces the importance of warming up prior to activity, showing that even a simple warm-up can instantly boost speed, power and performance by raising muscle temperature.

Whether it’s light movement, sport-specific drills or even passive heat before exercise, warming up helps muscles contract faster and more efficiently - especially during rapid, powerful movements.

The most effective routines mimic the activity, exercise or sport you're engaging in, preparing both the nervous system and muscles for action. For athletes and gym-goers alike, this means spending a few extra minutes warming up could sharpen performance and coordination.

It’s a reminder that preparing the body before strenuous activity isn’t just tradition — it’s evidence-backed science.
Reference article source: "The effect of muscle warm-up on voluntary and evoked force-time parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression" (2025), published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, and authored by Cody J. Wilson, João Pedro Nunes, and Anthony J. Blazevich.

12/01/2026

Scientists have found that a natural hormone called FGF19 can switch on brain-driven fat burning and boost energy use in obese mice by activating fat-burning cells and increasing thermogenesis.

The hormone, produced in the intestine, signals the brain’s hypothalamus to ramp up energy expenditure and even lower inflammation, pointing to a new avenue for obesity and diabetes treatments.

I found this detail quite interesting - cold exposure increased FGF19 receptor activity in the brain, suggesting an evolutionary link to temperature regulation, and a possible new benefit to cryotherapies like cold water immersion and ice baths.

Unlike many current drugs that mainly curb appetite, FGF19 seems to drive the body to burn more energy, similar to how GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro mimic hormones to reduce hunger. Future work aims to find ways to raise natural FGF19 levels and tap this hidden metabolic switch in people.
Reference article source: "Central FGF19 Signaling Enhances Energy Homeostasis and Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis Through Sympathetic Activation in Obese Mice", published in the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, and authored by Lucas Zangerolamo, Marina Carvalho, Carina Solon, Davi Sidarta-Oliveira, Gabriela M. Soares, Carine Marmentini, Antonio C. Boschero, Yu-Hua Tseng, Licio A. Velloso, Helena C. L. Barbosa.

10/01/2026

New research on mice shows that soybean oil may fuel weight gain not because of the oil itself, but due to the fat-derived molecules it turns into inside the body (called oxylipins), which can trigger inflammation, change liver metabolism and alter genes tied to fat processing.

Mice fed a diet high in soybean oil gained more weight, while genetically modified mice that made fewer of these oxylipins stayed lean despite the same diet.

Oxylipins alone don’t explain everything, but this work suggests that how the body metabolises linoleic acid from soybean oil matters for obesity and metabolic health.

With soybean oil now a major part of many processed foods and diets, scientists say this could help explain why some people gain weight more easily than others and highlight the role of diet quality in metabolic risk.
Reference article source: "P2-HNF4α Alters Linoleic Acid Metabolism and Mitigates Soybean Oil-Induced Obesity: Role for Oxylipins", published in the Journal of Lipid Research, and authored by Poonamjot Deol, Johannes Fahrmann, Dmitry Grapov, Jun Yang, Jane R. Evans, Oliver Fiehn, Brett Phinney, Bruce D. Hammock, and Frances M. Sladek.

08/01/2026

A controlled feeding trial found that young adults aged 18–21 ate more - and kept snacking even when not hungry - after two weeks on a diet high in ultra-processed foods, compared with a diet without them.

While overall calories were matched, this age group showed a clear pattern of eating beyond hunger, a behaviour linked with future weight gain. Interestingly, slightly older young adults (22–25) didn’t show the same effect, suggesting late adolescence may be a uniquely sensitive period for how processed foods influence appetite and eating habits.

Ultra-processed foods are industrially made, often high in additives and engineered for taste. These findings hint that not just calories, but the degree of processing in our food, might affect how our brains and bodies regulate eating — with implications for obesity prevention in young people.
Reference article source: "The Influence of Ultraprocessed Food Consumption on Energy Intake in Emerging Adulthood: A Controlled Feeding Trial" (2025), published in the journal Obesity, and authored by Maria L. M. Rego, Emma Leslie, Emily Schmall, Bailey Capra, Summer Hudson, Monica L. Ahrens, Benjamin Katz, Kevin P. Davy, Valisa E. Hedrick, Alexandra G. DiFeliceantonio, Brenda M. Davy.

07/01/2026

New research shows that obesity may significantly speed up Alzheimer’s-related brain changes much faster than previously thought, with key blood biomarkers rising up to 95% quicker in people with obesity.

What's especially fascinating is that over five years of data from hundreds of volunteers revealed that blood tests detected these changes earlier, and more sensitively, than traditional brain scans.

While higher BMI initially appeared linked to lower Alzheimer’s markers, researchers found this was due to dilution in larger blood volume. Over time, those with obesity saw faster increases in proteins tied to neurodegeneration and amyloid buildup, underscoring obesity as a potentially modifiable risk factor in Alzheimer’s progression.

These findings highlight the value of blood biomarkers in tracking brain health, which is not only exciting for clinicians, but for patients and their loved ones as well, as this could really help to inform future prevention and treatment strategies.
Reference story source: "Blood Tests Reveal Obesity Rapidly Accelerates Alzheimer's Progression", article provided by the Radiological Society of North America and originally published on ScienceDaily.

07/01/2026

Luke presented around four months ago following hospitalisation for severe, persistent lower back pain associated with degenerative disc disease from L4–S1. At the time, pain was significantly limiting his movement, confidence and day-to-day life.

After a comprehensive initial assessment, we implemented a graded rehabilitation program focused on restoring pain-free movement, improving spinal control, and progressively increasing load tolerance. Early stages prioritised gentle mobility and symptom modulation, before progressing to targeted trunk and lumbopelvic strength and stability work to improve spinal support and long-term resilience.

Luke has been an absolute pleasure to work with — consistently engaged, curious, and committed to understanding why we do what we do. His willingness to learn about spinal anatomy, pain mechanisms and exercise intent has been key to his progress and ongoing self-management.

It’s been incredibly rewarding to support Luke in regaining control of his health and building confidence for the long term.

Stories like Luke’s are a great reminder that evidence-based exercise, education and consistency can make a real difference — even after significant setbacks.

06/01/2026

A decade-long study of nearly 10,000 women aged 65+ suggests that daily tea drinking is linked to stronger bones as people age, while very heavy coffee intake (of more than five cups a day) is tied to lower bone density.

Tea’s natural compounds, called catechins, may help support bone formation, while excessive caffeine could interfere with calcium use.

Moderate coffee consumption (about two to three cups) didn’t show harm, and overall differences were modest, but even small bone gains can add up across a large group. Researchers say this doesn’t mean anyone must swap drinks, but rather it shows how simple habits like enjoying tea might give older women an edge in bone health as part of a balanced lifestyle.
Reference article source: "Longitudinal Association of Coffee and Tea Consumption with Bone Mineral Density in Older Women: A 10-Year Repeated-Measures Analysis in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures." (2025), published in Nutrients, authored by Ryan Yan Liu, and Enwu Liu.

05/01/2026

Scientists have discovered that molecules made by gut bacteria travel straight from the intestine to the liver and influence how the body uses energy and responds to insulin.

These tiny chemical messengers vary with diet, genetics and the mix of microbes in the gut, and some even improved insulin response in lab tests.

By looking at blood from both the gut’s portal vein and general circulation, researchers were able to track how these microbiome-derived compounds affect liver metabolism, a key factor in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

These findings are really exciting, and suggest that targeting gut-produced metabolites could open new avenues for preventing or managing metabolic diseases, offering new insights into the emerging complex link between our microbes, metabolism and our health.

Reference article source: "Portal Vein-Enriched Metabolites as Intermediate Regulators of the Gut Microbiome in Insulin Resistance" (2025), published in Cell Metabolism, and authored by Vitor Rosetto Muñoz, Francois Moreau F, Marion Soto, Yoshiyuki Watanabe, Loc-Duyen Pham, Jimmy Zhong, Sam Zimmerman, Bruna B. Brandao, Khyati Girdhar, Julian Avila, Hui Pan, Jonathan M. Dreyfuss, Michael Y. Mi, Robert E. Gerszten, Emrah Altindis, Aleksandar Kostic, Clary B. Clish, C. Ronald Kahn.

27/10/2024

I am so very honoured to announce that I was recently interviewed by the QUT Alumni team to discuss my business, goals, and journey so far. Their past interviewees have achieved some truly amazing things, so I feel incredibly lucky to be able to share my story amongst so many accomplished and inspiring people.

I can't thank my wife, sister and every other phenomenal person in my life for all of their support and encouragement over the years. Sincerely, thank you all.

You can read the full interview on the QUT website at the following link here:

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