Merling Phaswana

(They/Them)

2

Articles

0

Comments

Merling Phaswana is a Senior Lecturer and emerging researcher in the Department of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. They actively serve on several institutional committees, contributing to academic leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration.

They are an early-career researcher focused on workplace health risks related to cardiometabolic, mental, and musculoskeletal conditions. Develops interventions to reduce sedentary behavior and promote physical activity, improving employee wellness. Expertise includes body composition and cardiovascular health, lifestyle factors in obesity and hypertension. They are advancing curriculum in the department, interprofessional collaboration within the institution, and research around impactful workplace wellness initiatives.

Experience

  • –present
    Senior Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand
  • 2018–2024
    Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand
  • 2015–2018
    Associate lecturer, University of Venda

Education

  • 2024 
    University of the Witwatersrand , Doctor of Philosophy
  • 2019 
    University of the Witwatersrand , Masters of Science in Biokinetics
  • 2015 
    University of the Witwatersrand , Bsc in Biokinetics

Publications

  • 2025
    Exploring experiences and perceptions of early withdrawal from a height-adjustable sit-to-stand desk intervention among South African office workers,
  • 2025
    Obesity, beverage consumption and sleep patterns in rural African women in relation to advertising of these beverages,
  • 2024
    Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Not Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Firefighters: A Cross-Sectional Study in South African Firefighters,
  • 2024
    Comparing cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels between third- and fifth-year medical students in a South African university,
  • 2024
    Effectiveness of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on cardiometabolic health in university labourers,
  • 2023
    Ukumela impilo randomised trial: preliminary findings of height-adjustable sit-to-stand workstations on health outcomes of South African office workers,
  • 2023
    Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity Patterns, and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in South African Office-Based Workers,
  • 2022
    “If money was no object”: A qualitative study of South African university office workers’ perceptions of using height-adjustable sitstand desks,
  • 2022
    Culturally relevant COVID-19 vaccine acceptance strategies in sub-Saharan Africa,
  • 2020
    Standing up against office sitting: A study protocol,
  • 2018
    The determinants of overweight/obesity and blood pressure in rural South African women living in the Tshino Nesengani (Mukondeleli) village,
  • 2013
    Body composition and cardiorespiratory endurance profiles of students at the Centre for Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, University of Venda, South Africa,

Grants and Contracts

  • 2024
    Sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic risk factors in South African workers
    Role:
    Principal Investigator
    Funding Source:
    Post PhD Thuthuka Grant
  • 2022
    Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity Patterns, and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in South African Office-Based Workers
    Role:
    Principal Investigator
    Funding Source:
    10th Physical Activity Measurement Seminar, Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, UK
  • 2021
    Sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic risk factors in South African workers
    Role:
    Principal Investigator
    Funding Source:
    PhD Thuthuka Grant
  • 2020
    Standing up against office sitting
    Role:
    Principal Investigator
    Funding Source:
    Early Career Academic Development (ECAD) University of the Witwatersrand

Professional Memberships

  • Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
  • he International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress (ISPAH)
  • The International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA)

Contact Merling for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision