School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences

Dr Keane Wheeler

Lecturer
School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences
Affiliate Lecturer
UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
+61 7 336 56637
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Researcher biography

Dr Keane Wheeler is a proud Ngarabal man and Accredited Exercise Scientist (ESSA). Dr Wheeler was the first Indigenous Australian to graduate with a PhD from the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Dr Wheeler’s research examines how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can co-design programs that engage children in a broad range of child development areas. Dr Wheeler’s research strengths consisted of co-designing movement-based programs, ensuring a trauma informed culturally-responsive approach towards childhood development, such as through the use of Traditional song and dance to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

Dr Wheeler also specialises in biomechanics, sport analytics and performance analysis as well as strength and conditioning research. Dr Wheeler works currently with a range of sporting organisations to implement best-practice sport servicing, testing and athlete management to achieve excellence.

Dr Wheeler has led high performing teams working on education programs that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families through a strength-based and holistic framework. Dr Wheeler has co-designed and provided Indigenous leadership to a range of projects that have catered for the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and through this experience has partnered to deliver diverse governance solutions and educational engagement frameworks.

Awards

2022 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award from the Australian Academy of Science

2022 LSQ Merck Life Science Rural and Regional Service Award from Life Sciences Queensland

2020 Accredited Exercise Scientist of the Year Award from Exercise and Sport Science Australia

2021 Science Peoples Choice Award from National Science Week

2021 Outreach Award from National Science Week

2020 Science Leadership Excellence Award from National Science Week

2017 NAIDOC Award from Fraser Coast NAIDOC Committee

Featured projects Duration
The 360-Kids Community network to support children with neurodevelopmental challenges
The University of Queensland
Design of a First Nations Community Impact Framework for Athletics Australia
Athletics Australia

Publications

Book (1)
Journal Articles (12)
Conference Papers (18)
Research Reports (4)
Video Documents (3)

Book

Lee, James, Wheeler, Keane and James, Daniel A. (2019). Wearable sensors in sport : a practical guide to usage and implementation. Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-13-3777-2

Journal Articles

Rynne, Steven B., Dittman, Cassandra K., Wheeler, Keane W., Mallett, Cliff J. and Sanders, Matthew R. (2022). Experiences of Aboriginal parents in the context of junior rugby league. Leisure Studies, 1-18. doi: 10.1080/02614367.2022.2143875
May, Tamara, Dudley, Amanda, Charles, James, Kennedy, Kate, Mantilla, Ana, McGillivray, Jane, Wheeler, Keane, Elston, Hope and Rinehart, Nicole J. (2020). Barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents: a mixed studies systematic review. BMC Public Health, 20 (1) 601. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-8355-z
Louth, Sharon, Wheeler, Keane and Bonner, Joyce (2019). Long-lasting educational engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Where are the Ghundus (children)? A longitudinal study. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 50 (1), 107-115. doi: 10.1017/jie.2019.14
Zanetti, Sara, Pumpa, Kate L., Wheeler, Keane W. and Pyne, David B. (2014). Validity of the SenseWear armband to assess energy expenditure during intermittent exercise and recovery in rugby union players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28 (4), 1090-1095. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000243
Wheeler, Keane, Mills, David, Lyons, Keith and Harrinton, Warrick (2013). Effective defensive strategies at the ruck contest in rugby union. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 8 (3), 481-491. doi: 10.1260/1747-9541.8.3.481
Wheeler, Keane, Kefford, Tamara, Mosler, Andrea, Lebedew, Alexis and Lyons, Keith (2013). The volume of goal shooting during training can predict shoulder soreness in elite female water polo players. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 16 (3), 255-258. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2012.06.006
Mara, Jocelyn K., Wheeler, Keane W. and Lyons, Keith (2012). Attacking strategies that lead to goal scoring opportunities in high level women's football. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 7 (3), 565-577. doi: 10.1260/1747-9541.7.3.565
Ball, Nick, Nolan, Emily and Wheeler, Keane (2011). Anthropometrical, physiological, and tracked power profiles of elite taekwondo athletes 9 weeks before the olympic competition phase. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25 (10), 2752-2763. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31820d9f3f
Wheeler, Keane and Sayers, Mark (2011). Rugby union contact skills alter evasive agility performance during attacking ball carries. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 6 (3), 419-432. doi: 10.1260/1747-9541.6.3.419
Wheeler, Keane W., Wiseman, Rachael and Lyons, Keith (2011). Tactical and technical factors associated with effective ball offloading strategies during the tackle in rugby league. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 11 (2), 392-409. doi: 10.1080/24748668.2011.11868558
Wheeler, Keane W. and Sayers, Mark G.L. (2010). Modification of agility running technique in reaction to a defender in rugby union. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 9 (3), 445-451.
Wheeler, Keane W., Askew, Christopher D. and Sayers, Mark G. (2010). Effective attacking strategies in rugby union. European Journal of Sport Science, 10 (4), 237-242. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2010.482595

Conference Papers

Lee, J., Willis, C., Parker, J., Wheeler, K. and James, D. (2020). Engaging the disengaged: A literature driven, retrospective reflection, of a successful student centric STEM intervention. Australasian Association for Engineering Education Annual Conference 2020, Online, December 2020 .
Wheeler, K., Lee, J., Willis., C., James, D. and Louth, S. (2020). Reflective learning engagement builds career aspirations. Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) National Conference 2020, Online, 1-3 December 2020.
Betts, S., Wheeler, K. and Lee, J. (2020). The use of wearable technology in the evaluation of gait patterns of soldiers during weighted locomotion. Defence Human Sciences Symposium 2020, Online, 7-9 December 2020 .
Wheeler, K., Lee, J., Willis, C., James, D. and Louth, S. (2020). Reflective learning engagement builds career aspirations.. Indigenous Allied Health Australia National Conference, Online , 1-3 December 2020.
Louth, S., Wheeler, K., Bonner, J. and Vea Vea, H. (2016). Where are the Ghundus? A retrospective exploration of the long-term impact of and Indigenous educational aspirations program on participants. Australia Association for Research in Education Conference 2016, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 27 November - 1 December 2016.
Chew, B. , Davidson, G. , Wheeler, K. , Fredricks, B. and Sheehan, N. (2016). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education in the regional university: creating viable futures. Regional Futures Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, September 2016 .
Ipponsugi, H. and Wheeler, K. (2012). Attacking effectiveness of Japanese fast paced rugby in 2011. International Conference on Sports and Exercise Science, Bangkok, Thailand, September 2012 .
Wheeler, K. (2012). Changes to agility running technique during reactive performance conditions. 30th Annual Conference of Biomechanics in Sports, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 2012.
Wheeler, K., Askew, C. and Sayers, M. (2009). Breaking the tackle in rugby union. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009 .
Francis, J. and Wheeler, K. (2009). Factors influencing scoring efficiency in the Australian Football League. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009 .
Wiseman, R. and Wheeler, K. (2009). Attacking phases in rugby league. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane. , Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009 .
Wheeler, K. (2009). Ruck play in rugby union. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009.
Ibbott, P. and Wheeler, K. (2009). Tackle height and the influence on tackle outcome in rugby league. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009 .
Donaldson, S. and Wheeler, K. (2009). Fending in elite rugby league. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009 .
Hynes, A. and Wheeler, K. (2009). Elite serve in tennis: right vs left hand players. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009 .
Wheeler, K. (2009). The importance of expertise when analysing sport. International Symposium on Computer Science in Sport, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, ACT, Australia, September 2009 .
Wheeler, K., Askew, C. and Sayers, M. (2009). Agility Skill Execution in Rugby Union. Asian Pacific Conference on Biomechanics, Christchurch, New Zealand , 14-17 April 2009.
Wheeler, K., Askew, C. and Sayers, M. (2009). The use of notational analysis to examine agility skill execution in Rugby Union. 13th International Association of Sport Information World Congress, Canberra, ACT Australia, 11-13 March 2009.

Research Reports

Boyle, F. M., Boyd, R. N., Burgess, A., Cairney, J., Carle, M. , Dean, J., Lohan, A., Luke, C., Vlack, S. and Wheeler, K. (2023). Scoping and gap analysis of tools, resources and training for primary health care professionals, and tools and resources for parents and carers, on early detection of disability or developmental concerns in young children - Final Report. Brisbane: The University of Queensland.
Shlager, Emma J., Cairney, John and Wheeler, Keane (2022). Evaluating the Curious Communities Early Learning Program implemented in the Logan region. Brisbane, Australia: University of Queensland.
Mann, N., Wheeler, K. and Cairney, J. (2022). Exploring the Success of the Community Active Partnerships Strategy in the Logan Region: Evaluation Report. Brisbane, Australia: University of Queensland.
Wheeler, K. (2020). Review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success . Brisbane, QLD Australia:

Video Documents

Willis, C., Lee, J. and Wheeler, K. (2020). Biology of the body: understanding the biology of your body for sport.
Lee, J., Wheeler, K. and Willis, C. (2020). Moving to learn: wearable technology is a sport science lab on your wrist.
Wheeler, K., Lee, J. and Willis, C. (2020). Sport can be STEM too: follow your passion, become a sport scientist.