Dr Kasha Dickie
Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology
About
Kasha’s research interests and scholarly outputs have focused on the profiling of individuals with long-term conditions, mainly high risk, and sought to utilise the findings to promote physical activity and public health. Her work experience includes 12 years (2003-2014) at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA) where she worked in a variety of clinical programmes both as a health care practitioner (i.e., Biokineticist/ Clinical Exercise Physiologist) and as a programme manager.
During this period Kasha also assisted the University of Cape Town as a lecturer part time. She returned to Stellenbosch University in 2015, and until the close of 2021 worked as a full-time lecturer, while completing her PhD in Sport Science. Her knowledge and practical experience extend beyond the classroom to the wider population in need of public health care.
Professional
2001 – BA (Human Movement Studies), Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
2002 – BSc (Med) Hons Exercise Science (Biokinetics), University of Cape Town (South Africa)
2013 – MSc (Med) Hons Exercise Science (with distinction), University of Cape Town (South Africa)
2020 – PhD (Sport Science), Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
Professional Bodies and Awards
2005 to current: Registered health care professional with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Biokineticist (Practice No. BK0011258)
2018 – Alliance of South African Independent Practitioners (ASAIPA) National Medical Award in the category: ‘Organisations, groups or individuals enhancing the medical profession’s standing in the community’
Teaching
Level 4 – Introduction to applied exercise physiology
Level 5 – Clinical exercise physiology
Level 6 – Cardiovascular rehabilitation
Key Publications
- Determinants of change in body weight and body fat distribution over 5.5-years in a sample of free-Living black South African women. Chantler S, Dickie K, Micklesfield LK, Goedecke, JH. Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, 25 May 2016.
- Cardiorespiratory fitness and light-intensity physical activity are independently associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk in black South African women. Dickie K, Micklesfield LK, Chantler S, Lambert EV, Goedecke JH. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, 5 Sep 2015.
- Longitudinal changes in body fat and its distribution in relation to cardiometabolic risk in black South African women. Chantler S, Dickie K, Micklesfield LK, Goedecke, JH. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, 27 Aug 2015.
- Meeting physical activity guidelines associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease risk in black South African women; a 5.5-year follow-up study. Dickie K, Micklesfield LK, Chantler S, Lambert EV, Goedecke JH. BMC Public Health, 23 May 2014.
- Socio-cultural, environmental and behavioural determinants of obesity in black South African women. Micklesfield LK, Lambert EV, Hume DJ, Chantler S, Pienaar PR, Dickie K, Puoane T, Goedecke JH. Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, 12 Sep 2013.
- Site-specific differences in bone mineral density in black and white premenopausal South African women. *Chantler S, *Dickie K, Goedecke JH, Levitt NS, Lambert EV, Evans J, Joffe Y, Micklesfield LK. Osteoporosis International, 3 Mar 2011. *Denotes Authors contributed equally to the manuscript.
Research
Kasha has research interests in the following areas:
- Profiling of individuals with long-term conditions (i.e., Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Pulmonary, Musculoskeletal, Immunological and Neurological)
- Measurement and monitoring of body composition and behavioural lifestyle factors (e.g., Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and cardiorespiratory fitness)
- Behavioural lifestyle modification targeted at long-term condition(s) management
- Assessment and exercise rehabilitation of musculoskeletal sports-related injuries
PhD
Kasha’s PhD focused on the profiling of individuals with long-term conditions, mainly high risk, and sought to utilise the findings to promote physical activity and public health. While at Stellenbosch University she became a leading advocate and champion of the integration of physical activity programmes into communities to support National Health efforts.
