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Dr Francesco Bettariga

Adjunct Academic

Staff Member Details
Email: f.bettariga@ecu.edu.au

Bio

Dr Francesco Bettariga is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Exercise Oncology at the INSIGHT Research Institute at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Exercise Medicine Research Institute (EMRI) at Edith Cowan University (ECU). His research focuses on understanding the biological and clinical mechanisms through which exercise influences cancer progression and survivorship outcomes. His work integrates clinical exercise trials with translational approaches to examine how exercise may modulate tumour biology, the tumour microenvironment, and anti-tumour immune responses. A central focus of his research is the development of precise exercise prescription for people living with cancer. By combining mechanistic insights with clinical trials, his work aims to optimise exercise prescription as a therapeutic strategy to improve treatment tolerance, physical function, disease progression, and survival outcomes in people living with cancer.

Awards:

  • 2023-2025: Higher Degree by Research scholarship
  • 2022-2023: Exercise Medicine Research Institute scholarship
  • 2021: Postgraduate Award for Research for being the best postgraduate student during the master’s degree in sports medicine field

Research Areas and Interests:

  • Exercise-induced myokines and their suppressive effects on cancer
  • Tailoring the principles of strength and conditioning in exercise oncology
  • Development and practical application of aerobic and resistance training in people with cancer

Qualifications:

  • 2021: Master of Science (Middlesex University, London – UK), Strength and Conditioning and Exercise Science, Cum Laude
  • 2017: Bachelor of Science (University of Brescia – Italy), Physiotherapy, Cum Laude

Publications:

2023 - Francesco Bettariga, Dennis R. Taaffe, Daniel A. Galvão, Chris Bishop, Jin-Soo Kim, Robert U. Newton; Suppressive effects of exercise-conditioned serum on cancer cells: A narrative review of the influence of exercise mode, volume, and intensity; Journal of Sport and Health Science; Doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2023.12.001

2023 - Francesco Bettariga, Chris Bishop, Luca Martorelli, Anthony Turner, Stefano Giuseppe Lazzarini, Cristiano Algeri, Luca Maestroni; Bettariga et al. letter to the editor; Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise; Doi: 10.1007/s42978-023-00246-9

2023 -  Francesco Bettariga, Nicola Francesco Lopomo, Fabio Civera, Stefano Giuseppe Lazzarini, Lisa Mantovani, Luca Maestroni; Reliability and validity of hand-held dynamometer and hand-held sphygmomanometer for testing shoulder isometric external and internal rotator muscles strength; Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise; Doi: 10.1007/s42978-023-00232-1

2023 - Francesco Bettariga, Chris Bishop, Dennis R. Taaffe, Daniel A. Galvão, Luca Maestroni, Robert U. Newton; Time to consider the potential role of alternative resistance training methods in cancer management?; Journal of Sport and Health Science; Doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2023.06.007

2023 - Francesco Bettariga, Chris Bishop, Luca Martorelli, Anthony Turner, Stefano Giuseppe Lazzarini, Cristiano Algeri, Luca Maestroni; Acute effects of a fatiguing protocol on peak force and rate of force development of the hamstring muscles in soccer players; Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise; Doi: 10.1007/s42978-023-00228-x

2022 - Francesco Bettariga, Luca Maestroni, Luca Martorelli, Anthony Turner, Chris Bishop; The effects of a 6-week unilateral strength and ballistic jump training program on the force-velocity profiles of sprinting; The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research; Doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004424

2022 - Francesco Bettariga, Luca Maestroni, Luca Martorelli, Paul Jarvis, Anthony Turner, Chris Bishop; The effects of a unilateral strength and power training intervention on inter-limb asymmetry and physical performance in male amateur soccer players; Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise; Doi: 10.1007/s42978-022-00188-8

2021 - Francesco Bettariga, Anthony Turner, Sean Maloney, Luca Maestroni, Paul Jarvis, Chris Bishop; The effects of training interventions on interlimb asymmetries: a systematic review with meta-analysis; Strength and Conditioning Journal; Doi: 10.1519/SSC.0000000000000701

2020 - Lisa Mantovani, Luca Maestroni, Francesco Bettariga, Massimiliano Gobbo, Nicola Francesco Lopomo, Sionnadh McLean; Does isometric exercise improve leg stiffness and hop pain in subjects with Achilles tendinopathy? A feasibility study; Physical Therapy in Sports; Doi: 10.1016/J.Ptsp.2020.09.005

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Edith Cowan University, 2025.
  • Master of Science with Distinction in Strength and Condition, England, 2021.
  • Bachelor degree in Physiotherapy, Italy, 2017.

Research Outputs

2026

Journal Articles

  • Bettariga, F. (2026). Acute and regular exercise effects on myokines and cancer suppression in survivors of breast cancer (PhD Academy Award). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2026(article in press), pp. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2025-111171.
  • Maestroni, L., Turner, AN., Rosalia, A., Algeri, C., Moioli, F., Guastella, M., Civera, F., Midali, C., Bettariga, F., Read, PJ. (2026). How Do Multi- and Single-Joint Strength Levels Relate to Vertical Jump Performance and Biomechanics in Amateur Athletes Returned to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 40(1), 39-47. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005270.
  • Lopez Da Cruz, PL., Rech, A., Petropoulou, M., Silveira, CB., Molinari, T., Muller, CT., Casara, P., Bettariga, F., Singh, F., Radaelli, R. (2026). Do Combined Resistance and Aerobic Exercise Programs Cause an Interference Effect in Women with Breast Cancer? A Systematic Review and Network Meta‑analysis. Sports Medicine, 2026(Article in press), 26 pages. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-026-02402-x.

2025

Journal Articles

  • Bettariga, F., Taaffe, D., Crespo Garcia, C., Clay, T., De Santi, M., Baldelli, G., Adhikari, S., Gray, E., Galvao, D., Newton, R. (2025). Effects of Resistance vs High Intensity Interval Training on Myokines and Cancer Cell Suppression in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Trial. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2025(Article in press), article number 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003848. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003848.
  • Markarian, A., Taaffe, D., Galvao, D., McIntyre, C., Cochrane Wilkie, J., Bettariga, F., Newton, R. (2025). Longitudinal changes in skeletal muscle in children undergoing cancer treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Pediatrics, 184(8), article number 513. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-025-06349-5.
  • Scott, DD., Bettariga, F., Ventin, M., Bishop, CJ., Stordal, BK. (2025). Nuclear destabilisation – a possible genesis of cancer?. Biological Reviews, 2025(Article in press), pp. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.70052.
  • Bettariga, F., Taaffe, D., Crespo Garcia, C., Clay, T., De Santi, M., Baldelli, G., Adhikari, S., Gray, E., Galvao, D., Newton, R. (2025). A single bout of resistance or high-intensity interval training increases anti-cancer myokines and suppresses cancer cell growth in vitro in survivors of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 213(1), 171-180. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-025-07772-w.
  • Lazzarini, SG., Buraschi, R., Pollet, J., Bettariga, F., Pancera, S., Pedersini, P. (2025). Effectiveness of Additional or Standalone Corticosteroid Injections Compared to Physical Therapist Interventions in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Physical Therapy, 105(3), article number pzaf006. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzaf006.
  • Borsati, A., Toniolo, L., Ciurnelli, C., Bettariga, F., Riva, ST., Frada, P., Belluomini, L., Trestini, I., Tregnago, D., Insolda, J., Sposito, M., Schena, F., Milella, M., Newton, R., Pilotto, S., Avancini, A. (2025). Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer: exploring the role of physical exercise. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, 151(6), article number 197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06234-6.
  • Markarian, A., Taaffe, D., Bettariga, F., Luo, H., Galvao, D., Cochrane Wilkie, J., McIntyre, C., Newton, R. (2025). Bone mineral density in childhood cancer survivors during and after oncological treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Osteoporosis International, 36(5), 767-777. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-025-07458-5.
  • Crespo Garcia, C., Bettariga, F., Taaffe, D., McIntyre, C., Campbell, JP., Jeffery, E., Markarian, A., Borsati, A., Avancini, A., Pilotto, S., Galvao, D., Newton, R. (2025). Effects of Exercise or Diet or Combined Interventions on Treatment Efficacy of Chemotherapy for Cancer: A Systematic Review. Current Nutrition Reports, 14(1), article number 125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-025-00702-8.
  • Bettariga, F., Newton, R., Bishop, CJ., Maestroni, L., Borsati, A., Avancini, A., Pilotto, S., Taaffe, D., Galvao, D., Haff, G. (2025). Periodizing Exercise Medicine Prescription for Patients with Cancer: A Narrative Opinion. Sports Medicine, 2025(Article in press), pp. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02311-5.
  • Bettariga, F., Taaffe, D., Galvao, D., Newton, R. (2025). Effects of short- and long-term exercise training on cancer cells in vitro: Insights into the mechanistic associations. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2024(December 2025), Article number 100994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2024.100994.
  • Bettariga, F., Taaffe, D., Borsati, A., Avancini, A., Pilotto, S., Lazzarini, SG., Lopez, P., Maestroni, L., Crainich, U., Bandini, E., Campbell, J., Clay, T., Galvao, D., Newton, R. (2025). Exercise and inflammation in female survivors of breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis with secondary mediation analysis on body composition. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 2025(Article in press), pp. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-025-01873-7.
  • Borsati, A., Adamoli, G., Giannarelli, D., Belluomini, L., Trevisan, A., Schenal, P., Bettariga, F., Markarian, A., Schena, F., Milella, M., Newton, R., Pilotto, S., Avancini, A. (2025). Effect of exercise on bone-related outcomes in patients with cancer affected by bone metastases or bone loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Osteoporosis International, 2025(Article in press), pp. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-025-07645-4.
  • Bettariga, F., Taaffe, D., Borsati, A., Avancini, A., Pilotto, S., Lazzarini, S., Lopez, P., Maestroni, L., Crainich, U., Campbell, J., Clay, T., Galvao, D., Newton, R. (2025). Effects of exercise on inflammation in female survivors of nonmetastatic breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 117(10), 1984-1998. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djaf062.
  • Bettariga, F., Galvao, D., Taaffe, D., Bishop, C., Lopez, P., Maestroni, L., Quinto, G., Crainich, U., Verdini, E., Bandini, E., Natalucci, V., Newton, R. (2025). Association of muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness with all-cause and cancer-specific mortality in patients diagnosed with cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2025(Article in press), 11 pages. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108671.
  • Bettariga, F., Taaffe, D., Crespo Garcia, C., Clay, T., Galvao, D., Newton, R. (2025). Effects of resistance training vs high intensity interval training on body composition, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and quality of life in survivors of breast cancer: a randomized trial. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 210(2), 261-270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-024-07559-5.
  • Bettariga, F., Fumagalli, L., Aloisi, D., Maestroni, L., Mantovani, S. (2025). Characterization of Pain in Lipedema: Reliability and Validity of Pain Pressure Thresholds and Hand-Held Sphygmomanometer Assessments in People with Lipedema. Lymphatic Research and Biology, 23(2), 95-100. https://doi.org/10.1089/lrb.2024.0058.

2024

Journal Articles

  • Bettariga, F., Taaffe, D., Galvao, D., Bishop, C., Kim, J., Newton, R. (2024). Suppressive effects of exercise-conditioned serum on cancer cells: A narrative review of the influence of exercise mode, volume, and intensity. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 13(4), 484-498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2023.12.001.

Research Projects

  • Cancer suppression, cytokine levels and body composition variation across prostate cancer stage and treatments: The CYTOCOMP Study, Cancer Council of WA Inc, Suzanne Cavanagh Early Career Investigator Grants, 2024 ‑ 2026, $34,500.
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