PG Convener for MSc (Exercise and Sports Physiotherapy)

Qualifications

PhD (Clinical and Research Ethics), Stellenbosch University (2024)

PhD (Exercise Science), University of Cape Town (2009) 

MHSc (Bioethics), University of Toronto (2012)

BSc (Med)(Hons) (Exercise Science), University of Cape Town (1998)

BSc (Physiotherapy), University of Cape Town (1996)

Introduction

Theresa Burgess started her career with a BSc (Physiotherapy), followed by a BSc (Med)(Hons) and PhD in Exercise Science, all from the University of Cape Town. In 2011 she was awarded a NIH Fogarty Fellowship in Bioethics and with this support, successfully completed a MHSc (Bioethics) at the University of Toronto in 2012.  She teaches musculoskeletal physiotherapy, exercise and sports physiotherapy, bioethics and research ethics to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences.  She is also the programme convenor of the MSc in Exercise and Sports Physiotherapy.  She serves as the Deputy Chair of the Faculty of Health Sciences Human Research Ethics Committee; has served as a member of the Department of Health’s National Health Research Ethics Council and serves on the Hospice Palliative Care Research Ethics Committee.   She is part of the ARESA Bioethics Leadership Programme and is registered for a second PhD in Clinical and Research Ethics. 

Teaching areas

• Neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy and sports physiotherapy
• Research ethics

Research Interests

• Exercise and Sports Physiotherapy; Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy; Research Ethics; Bioethics

Current Research Projects

• Reliability and validity of novel bicycle balance tests (PhD candidate: Kim Buchholtz)
• Motivations and behaviour change in parkrun participants in the Western Cape, South Africa (MSc candidate: Edgar Chivunze)
• Return to sport protocols in rugby (PhD candidate: Grethe Geldenhuys)

Publications

Research Profile

Geldenhuys A, Dutton M, Burgess T.  Digital and community-based health interventions for exercise and education in the management of musculoskeletal- and lifestyle-related health conditions in rural communities in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review. Rural and Remote Health 2026; 26: 10304. https://doi.org/10.22605/RRH10304.

Geldenhuys, AG, Roche, S, Hendricks, S, & Burgess, T. (2025). Return to contact criteria and assessment methods following traumatic anterior glenohumeral joint dislocations in rugby union players: a Delphi consensus study. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913847.2025.2583052.

Burgess, T, Durand, P, & Buchholtz, K (2025). Assessing the relationship between training load and injury in ultramarathon runners: a novel approach using Generalised Additive Models. South African Journal of Sports Medicine, 37(1). https://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516X/2025/v37i1a20747.

Omutoko, L, Chingarande, G. R, Botes, M, Moyana, F, Singh, S, Jaoko, W, Sevene, E, Mtande, TK, Edwin, AK, Matandika, L, Burgess, T, & Moodley, K. (2024). Understanding and processing informed consent during data-intensive health research in sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and opportunities from a multilingual perspective. Research Ethics, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/17470161241274809.

Burgess, T, Rennie, S, & Moodley, K. (2024). Exploring views of South African research ethics committees on pandemic preparedness and response during COVID-19. Research Ethics, 20(4), 701-730. https://doi.org/10.1177/17470161241250274.

Talberg H, Dayaram T, Geel S, Mthembu S, Nthangeni R, Pillay S & Burgess TL. (2024). Undergraduate students’ choices around community service and internship: A single faculty study.  South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 80(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v80i1.1980.

Nair, G, Burgess, TL, Obasa, AE, Kling, S, & Singh, S. (2023). Revisiting community engagement methods in the context of data science research and big data use in South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 119(5/6). https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2023/14723.

Kling, S, Singh, S, Burgess, TL, & Nair, G. (2023). The role of an ethics advisory committee in data science research in sub-Saharan Africa. South African Journal of Science, 119(5/6). https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2023/14724.

Burgess T, Rennie S, & Moodley K. (2023). Key ethical issues encountered during COVID-19 research: a thematic analysis of perspectives from South African research ethics committees. BMC Medical Ethics, 24(11). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-023-00888-y.

King J, Burgess TL, Hendricks C, & Carson F. (2023). The coach’s role during an athlete’s rehabilitation following sports injury: A scoping review. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 18(3), 928-944. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541221150694.

Geldenhuys AG, Burgess TL, Roche S, & Hendricks S. (2022). Return to rugby following musculoskeletal injuries: A survey of views, practices and barriers among health and sport practitioners. Physical Therapy in Sport, 59, 49-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2022.11.009.

Motsoeneng PM, Beutel A, Burgess T, Naidoo N, Stewart A, & Shamley D. (2022). Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Services in South Africa and Survivor Experience of These Services in Two Dedicated Cancer Units. Journal of Cancer Research and Immuno-Oncology, 8(45), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.35248/2684-1266.22.8.155.

Buchholtz K, Lambert M, & Burgess TL. (2022). The ecological validity of traditional standing and novel bicycle balance and agility tests for predicting performance in mountain bikers. Sports Medicine and Health Science, 4(4), 287-292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2022.10.003.

Thorpe, R, Blockman, M, Talberg, H, & Burgess, T. (2022). The knowledge and attitudes of South African-based runners regarding the use of analgesics during training and competition. South African Journal of Sports Medicine, 34(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516X/2022/v34i1a13976.

Loveday M, Goga A, Dhai A, Labuschaigne M, Roussouw T, Burgess T, Strode A, Wallace M, Blockman M, Daniels B, Spooner E, & Bekker LG. (2022). Ethically acceptable consent approaches to adolescent research in South Africa. Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine, 23(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v23i1.1385.

Buchholtz K, Barnes C, & Burgess TL. (2022). Injury and illness incidence in the 2017 Super Rugby Tournament: A surveillance study on a single South African team. The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 17(4):648-657. https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.35581.

Buchholtz K, Lambert M, & Burgess TL. (2022). A Masterclass on developing clinical tools in sport and exercise medicine using principles of clinimetrics. Physical Therapy in Sport, 55, 155-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2022.04.003.

Phillips B, Buchholtz K, & Burgess TL. (2022). Gastrocnemius muscle architecture in runners with and without Achilles tendinopathy. South African Journal of Sports Medicine, 34(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516X/2022/v34i1a12576.

Pereira N, Burgess TL, & Corten L. (2021). Injury incidence and burden during senior inter-provincial field hockey tournaments. South African Journal of Sports Medicine, 33(1), :1-6. https://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516X/2021/v33i1a11832.

Buchholtz K, Lambert MI, Corten L, & Burgess TL. (2021). Incidence of Injuries, Illness and Related Risk Factors in Cross‑Country Marathon Mountain Biking Events: A Systematic Search and Review. Sports Medicine – Open, 7(68), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-021-00357-z.

Geldenhuys AG, Burgess TL, Roche S, & Hendricks S. (2021). Return to play protocols for musculoskeletal upper and lower limb injuries in tackle-collision team sports: A systematic review. European Journal of Sport Science, 22(11), 1743-1756. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1960623.

Chivunze E, Burgess TL, Carson F, & Buchholtz K. (2021). Motivation and behaviour change in parkrun participants in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(15):8102, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18158102.

Nuhu A, Jelsma J, Dunleavy K, & Burgess T. (2021). Effect of the FIFA 11+ soccer specific warm up programme on the incidence of injuries: A cluster-randomised controlled trial. PLoS One, 16(5): e0251839, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251839.

Thorpe R, Blockman M, & Burgess T. (2021). Analgesic practices and predictors of use in South Africa-based runners. South African Medical Journal, 111(4), 321-326. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i4.14635.