Research
Our research in Physical Activity and Health is concerned with understanding, measuring, and promoting physical activity and related health behaviours.
This involves examining population trends, as well as the sociodemographic, psychological, social and environmental factors that influence behaviour at different life stages.
Our researchers work on the development of new measures to improve understanding of the links between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and health and well-being. We use a multi-disciplinary approach and concepts from epidemiology, health promotion, public health, and exercise science to design, implement, and evaluate innovative interventions.
These interventions aim to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour across the lifespan.
Current and previously funded research projects (led by HMNS)
Current projects
Title | Investigators | Funding Scheme | Duration |
| Implementation and scale-up of a consumer co-designed physical activity promotion program for people with moderate-to-profound disabilities | Stewart Trost, Sean Tweedy, Jessica Hill, Kelly Clanchy Emma Beckman, Sjaan Gomersall, Jennifer Fleming, John Cairney, Jonas Fooken Iain Dutia | 2022 MRFF Effective Treatments and Therapies - stream 2 | 2023-2026 |
Genevieve Healy, Mary Jung, Sjaan Gomersall, Ana Goode, David Dunstan, Harmonee Dove, Michael Tsiamis
| NHMRC-Canadian Institutes of Health Research Healthy Cities Implementation Science Team Grants | 2023-2027 | |
The 360-Kids Community network to support children with neurodevelopmental challenges | John Cairney Kai Wheeler and colleagues | UQ HERA | 2022-2027 |
Design of a First Nations Community Impact Framework for Athletics Australia | Kai Wheeler Emily Hall Veronique Richard Steven Rynne Emma Beckman John Cairney | Athletics Australia | 2022-2023 |
| Supporting adults to sit less and move more for chronic disease prevention and management | Genevieve Healy | NHMRC MRFF Investigator Grant | 2021-2025 |
| CATCHing up: A continuation of the Coordination and Activity Tracking in Children cohort study | John Cairney Matt Kwan, B. Timmons, W. Terrance, D. Price, S Veldhuizen & S | Canadian Institute of Gealth Research Project grant, led by Brock University | 2021-2024 |
| Prof Lauren Ball | NHMRC Investigators Grant | 2020-2024 |
Previous projects
Title | Investigators | Funding Scheme | Duration |
Nicholas Gilson, Wendy Brown, Mitch Duncan Guy Wallis | National Heart Foundation Vanguard Grant | 2019-2023 | |
| Building workplace capacity to take up and deliver a sit less, move more workplace program: BeUpstanding e-learning | Ana Goode Samantha Stephens Genevieve Healy | UQ Knowledge Exchange & Translation Fund, in partnership with Kin8 | 2022 |
Mob Moves: Co-designing a program to empower socioemotional learning through physical activity | Keane Wheeler Emily Hall John Cairney | UQ Indigenous Research Engagement and Partnerships Fund | 2022 |
| Development and implementation of the BeUpstanding Dashboard to support Australian workers to sit less and move more | Ana Goode Genevieve Healy | ActiveKIT Program | 2021-2022 |
| Sitting, Standing and Moving: Evaluating the impact of health enhancing initiatives | Bronwyn Clarke | NHMRC Early Career Fellowships | 2016-2022 |
Active Choices: A 'stepped-down' program to promote group-based physical activity to DVA clients | Nicholas Gilson, Gregore Iven Mielke, Catherine Haslam, Jonas Fooken, Wendy Brown | Department of Veterans' Affairs | 2019-2021 |
Gregore Iven Mielke Wendy Brown | UQ Development Fellowships | 2018-2021 | |
A sustainable strategy for improving school physical activity practices
| Michalis Stylianou, Leon Straker, N. Schranz Sjaan Gomersall M. Rosenberg
| Healthway Project with Curtin University – UQ component | 2018-2020 |
| Wendy Brown, Nicola Burton, G. Turrell, B. Giles-Corti, A. Barnett Nancy Pachana | NHMRC Project Grant administered by Deakin University | 2013-2019 |