Overview
Background
Associate Professor Shelley Keating is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and an Associate Professor in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland. With a strong grounding in exercise metabolism and body composition, Shelley leads a program of research aimed at changing the way we prioritise, access and deliver lifestyle intervention for people with obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and type 2 diabetes. A/Prof Keating holds qualifications in clinical exercise physiology BExSciRehab (Hon-1); MExSpSci (Clinical Exercise Science); PhD (Exercise Physiology) and over 18 years’ experience as an AEP developing, delivering, and disseminating exercise interventions in adults with obesity and related chronic diseases. Shelley leads a multidisciplinary research program advancing the integration of exercise into standard cardiometabolic care pathways. She has led and contributed to national and international exercise guidelines for MASLD, and her work features in international clinical guidelines for both MASLD and type 2 diabetes management. Her program is co-designed with clinicians, health services, and people living with MASLD to develop sustainable, meaningful exercise solutions that can be embedded into routine care.
Availability
- Associate Professor Shelley Keating is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), University of Wollongong
- Masters (Coursework), University of Sydney
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney
Research interests
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Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Investigating the role of exercise and lifestyle therapy in the prevention, progression, and management of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This work focuses on improving awareness, uptake, and long-term adherence to physical activity, with an emphasis on cardiometabolic health, behaviour change, and real-world implementation. The program integrates clinical trials and co-designed research with lived-experience stakeholders to develop scalable, person-centred interventions that optimise health outcomes.
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Exercise Physiology
Examining how exercise dose (frequency, intensity, time, and type) can be optimised to maximise health benefits within the 'Exercise is Medicine' framework. This work focuses on sustainable, individualised exercise approaches that support long-term adherence across diverse clinical populations, particularly those with chronic and cardiometabolic conditions. The program integrates clinical and applied research to inform evidence-based exercise prescription and implementation in real-world settings.
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Body Composition Assessment
Investigating the assessment of visceral and ectopic fat and the impact of exercise on body composition in people with metabolic-related chronic disease. This work focuses on advanced measurement techniques, including imaging and field-based methods, to better characterise fat distribution and its relationship with cardiometabolic risk. The program aims to inform pragmatic outcome assessment in clinical practice.
Research impacts
Associate Professor Keating has an established international research profile. Her research has led to the development of safe and feasible exercise programs that generate significant improvement in the cardiometabolic health of individuals with MASLD and related chronic disease. Her research has led to a paradigm shift in how exercise is prioritised in MASLD management and has been adopted into exercise prescription recommendations in >18 international guidelines for MASLD management across 13 countries.
Associate Professor Keating’s research highlights low awareness, uptake, and long-term adherence to exercise for the management of MASLD. Her program incorporates lived-experience expertise, and she is committed to partnering with individuals with MASLD to co-design research that supports sustained engagement in exercise and improved health outcomes across related chronic conditions.
Works
Search Professor Shelley Keating’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Co-designing approaches to sustainable exercise care for people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Keating, Shelley E., de Boer, Jack, Catsoulis, Georgina, Stine, Jonathan G., Goode, Ana, Macdonald, Graeme A., Powell, Elizabeth and Hickman, Ingrid J. (2025). Co-designing approaches to sustainable exercise care for people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology, 13 (9), 707-722. doi: 10.14218/jcth.2025.00155
2025
Journal Article
A population-based study of cause-specific mortality in First Nations Australians with cirrhosis: impact of cardiometabolic comorbidities and liver disease risk factors
Bhasker, Vikas, Brown, Catherine, Fong, Jessica R., Clark, Paul J., Hartel, Gunter, Skoien, Richard, O'Beirne, James, Wheeler, Kai, Keating, Shelley E., Powell, Elizabeth E. and Valery, Patricia C. (2025). A population-based study of cause-specific mortality in First Nations Australians with cirrhosis: impact of cardiometabolic comorbidities and liver disease risk factors. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 61 101641. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2025.101641
2025
Journal Article
Exercise prescription in the management of chronic disease falling through an evidence-practice gap: perspectives of doctors and nurses in specialist settings
Keating, Shelley E., Wilkinson, Shelley A., Macdonald, Graeme A., Hickman, Ingrid J. and Mayr, Hannah L. (2025). Exercise prescription in the management of chronic disease falling through an evidence-practice gap: perspectives of doctors and nurses in specialist settings. Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, 30 (4), 270-281. doi: 10.1177/13558196251362133
2025
Journal Article
An effectiveness trial of an exercise physiologist service to improve quality of life in adults with severe mental illness: Protocol for the MOVEMENT Study
Chapman, Justin, Siskind, Dan, Yung, Alison, Lee, Yong Yi, Arnautovska, Urska, Scott, James, Burke, Kylie, Malacova, Eva, Korman, Nicole, Wyder, Marianne, Doohan, Meg, Keating, Shelley, Parker, Stephen, Walker, Max, Hu, Di, O'Brien, Jake, Lau, Geoffrey, Pratt, Gregory, Rosenbaum, Simon, Curtis, Jackie, Chatterton, Mary Lou, Simmons, Lisa and Wheeler, Amanda (2025). An effectiveness trial of an exercise physiologist service to improve quality of life in adults with severe mental illness: Protocol for the MOVEMENT Study. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Volume 21, 1399-1408. doi: 10.2147/ndt.s530837
2025
Journal Article
[Corrigendum] An effectiveness trial of an exercise physiologist service to improve quality of life in adults with severe mental illness: Protocol for the MOVEMENT Study
Chapman, Justin, Siskind, Dan, Yung, Alison, Lee, Yong Yi, Arnautovska, Urska, Scott, James, Burke, Kylie, Malacova, Eva, Korman, Nicole, Wyder, Marianne, Doohan, Meg, Keating, Shelley, Parker, Stephen, Walker, Max, Hu, Di, O'Brien, Jake, Lau, Geoffrey, Pratt, Gregory, Rosenbaum, Simon, Curtis, Jackie, Chatterton, Mary Lou, Simmons, Lisa and Wheeler, Amanda (2025). [Corrigendum] An effectiveness trial of an exercise physiologist service to improve quality of life in adults with severe mental illness: Protocol for the MOVEMENT Study . Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 21 1507. doi: 10.2147/ndt.s555929
2025
Journal Article
Role of eccentric cycling in older adults affected by sarcopenia and heart failure: a feasibility and efficacy study protocol
Muollo, Valentina, D’Emanuele, Samuel, Amini, Mahsa, Di Marco, Roberto, Cavedon, Valentina, Keating, Shelley, Lanceni, Matteo, Setti, Martina, Benfari, Giovanni, Ghiotto, Laura, Schena, Federico and Tarperi, Cantor (2025). Role of eccentric cycling in older adults affected by sarcopenia and heart failure: a feasibility and efficacy study protocol. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 11 (2) e002667, e002667. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002667
2025
Journal Article
Directrices australianas para la actividad física en el embarazo y el postparto
Brown, Wendy J., Hayman, Melanie, Haakstad, Lene A. H., Lamerton, Tayla, Mena, Gabriela P., Green, Anita, Keating, Shelley E., Gomes, Grace A. O., Coombes, Jeff S. and Mielke, Gregore I. (2025). Directrices australianas para la actividad física en el embarazo y el postparto. Pensar en Movimiento: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 23 (1) e665113, e65113-e65113. doi: 10.15517/pensarmov.v23i1.65113
2025
Journal Article
Client experiences, perceptions and acceptability of a digital health enabled student-led exercise physiology clinic for metabolic conditions: a qualitative study
Brown, Riley C. C., Marron, Sophie, Kelly, Jaimon T., Burton, Nicola W., Hickman, Ingrid J., Coombes, Jeff S. and Keating, Shelley E. (2025). Client experiences, perceptions and acceptability of a digital health enabled student-led exercise physiology clinic for metabolic conditions: a qualitative study. Australian Journal of Clinical Education, 14 (1), 47-64. doi: 10.53300/001c.138085
2025
Journal Article
Determinants of physical activity 10 months following a supervised exercise program in people with type 2 diabetes
Cox, Emily R., Gajanand, Trishan, Keating, Shelley E., Brown, Wendy J., Coombes, Jeff S. and Burton, Nicola W. (2025). Determinants of physical activity 10 months following a supervised exercise program in people with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 22 (7), 811-818. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2024-0808
2025
Conference Publication
Co-design of a digital lifestyle intervention for Australian adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Sood, S., Roberts, S. K., Keating, S. E., Scott, D., Tan, S. Y., George, J., Kiss, N., Daly, R. M., Dunstan, D. W. and George, E. S. (2025). Co-design of a digital lifestyle intervention for Australian adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. 48th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 3-6 December 2024. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/S0029665125001314
2025
Journal Article
Goal Setting and Attainment in a Randomised Controlled Trial of Digital Health-Assisted Lifestyle Interventions in People with Kidney and Liver Disease
Jegatheesan, Dev K., Pinzon Perez, William F., Brown, Riley C. C., Burton, Nicola W., Barnett, Amandine, Webb, Lindsey, Conley, Marguerite M., Mayr, Hannah L., Keating, Shelley E., Kelly, Jaimon T., Macdonald, Graeme A., Coombes, Jeff S., Hickman, Ingrid J. and Isbel, Nicole M. (2025). Goal Setting and Attainment in a Randomised Controlled Trial of Digital Health-Assisted Lifestyle Interventions in People with Kidney and Liver Disease. Nutrients, 17 (7) 1183, 1-12. doi: 10.3390/nu17071183
2025
Journal Article
Aerobic exercise interventions lead to MASH resolution in clinical trials: pooled analysis using the MASH resolution index
Keating, Shelley E., Owen, Patrick J., Pugh, Christopher J. A., Cuthbertson, Daniel J., Stine, Jonathan G. and on behalf of the MASLD Exercise Training Consortium (METCon) (2025). Aerobic exercise interventions lead to MASH resolution in clinical trials: pooled analysis using the MASH resolution index. Hepatology Communications, 9 (4) e0681. doi: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000681
2025
Journal Article
The Asian Pacific association for the study of the liver clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Eslam, Mohammed, Fan, Jian-Gao, Yu, Ming-Lung, Wong, Vincent Wai-Sun, Cua, Ian Homer, Liu, Chun-Jen, Tanwandee, Tawesak, Gani, Rino, Seto, Wai-Kay, Alam, Shahinul, Young, Dan Yock, Hamid, Saeed, Zheng, Ming-Hua, Kawaguchi, Takumi, Chan, Wah-Kheong, Payawal, Diana, Tan, Soek-Siam, Goh, George Boon-bee, Strasser, Simone I., Viet, Hang Dao, Kao, Jia-Horng, Kim, Won, Kim, Seung Up, Keating, Shelley E., Yilmaz, Yusuf, Kamani, Lubna, Wang, Chia-Chi, Fouad, Yasser, Abbas, Zaigham ... George, Jacob (2025). The Asian Pacific association for the study of the liver clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. Hepatology International, 19 (2) e070189, 261-301. doi: 10.1007/s12072-024-10774-3
2024
Journal Article
Prevalence of long COVID, and the impact on diabetes management and physical activity participation, in people with type 2 diabetes: An Australia-wide Cross-sectional online survey
Cox, Emily R., Plotnikoff, Ronald C., Gibson, Peter G., Keating, Shelley E., Acharya, Shamasunder and Lewthwaite, Hayley (2024). Prevalence of long COVID, and the impact on diabetes management and physical activity participation, in people with type 2 diabetes: An Australia-wide Cross-sectional online survey. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 48 (8), 493-501.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2024.08.004
2024
Journal Article
Use of digital food records in clinical settings: lessons in translation from a randomised controlled trial
Barnett, Amandine, Mayr, Hannah L., Keating, Shelley E., Conley, Marguerite M., Webb, Lindsey, Jegatheesan, Dev K., Staudacher, Heidi M., Macdonald, Graeme A., Kelly, Jaimon T., Campbell, Katrina L. and Hickman, Ingrid J. (2024). Use of digital food records in clinical settings: lessons in translation from a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 38 (1) e13389, e13389. doi: 10.1111/jhn.13389
2024
Journal Article
HepNet: deep neural network for classification of early-stage hepatic steatosis using microwave signals
Hasan, Sazid, Brankovic, Aida, Awal, Md Abdul, Rezaeieh, Sasan Ahdi, Keating, Shelley E., Abbosh, Amin M. and Zamani, Ali (2024). HepNet: deep neural network for classification of early-stage hepatic steatosis using microwave signals. IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, 29 (1), 142-151. doi: 10.1109/jbhi.2024.3489626
2024
Journal Article
Lifestyle intervention for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: a 24-h integrated behavior perspective
Keating, Shelley E., Chawla, Yogesh, De, Arka and George, Elena S. (2024). Lifestyle intervention for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: a 24-h integrated behavior perspective. Hepatology International, 18 (S2), 959-976. doi: 10.1007/s12072-024-10663-9
2024
Journal Article
Low-volume combined aerobic and resistance high-intensity interval training in type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial
Gajanand, Trishan, Cox, Emily R., Keating, Shelley E., Brown, Wendy J., Hordern, Matthew D., Burton, Nicola W., Chachay, Veronique S., Gomersall, Sjaan R., Fassett, Robert G. and Coombes, Jeff S. (2024). Low-volume combined aerobic and resistance high-intensity interval training in type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 10 (4) e002046, e002046. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002046
2024
Journal Article
Evaluating the potential of a novel metabolic syndrome severity score to inform exercise interventions for people with complex chronic conditions
Brown, Riley C. C., Coombes, Jeff S., Conley, Marguerite M., Webb, Lindsey, Mayr, Hannah L., Isbel, Nicole M., Jegatheesan, Dev K., Macdonald, Graeme A., Burton, Nicola W., Kelly, Jaimon T., Hickman, Ingrid J. and Keating, Shelley E. (2024). Evaluating the potential of a novel metabolic syndrome severity score to inform exercise interventions for people with complex chronic conditions. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, 22 (7), 516-524. doi: 10.1089/met.2024.0031
2024
Journal Article
Exercise improves surrogate measures of liver histological response in metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease
Cuthbertson, Daniel J., Keating, Shelley E., Pugh, Christopher J. A., Owen, Patrick J., Kemp, Graham J., Umpleby, Margot, Geyer, Nathaniel G., Chinchilli, Vernon M. and Stine, Jonathan G. (2024). Exercise improves surrogate measures of liver histological response in metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease. Liver International, 44 (9), 2368-2381. doi: 10.1111/liv.15947
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Shelley Keating is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Development and evaluation of a digital human exercise coach
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nicholas Gilson
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Doctor Philosophy
Exercise and Anti-Obesity Medications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Fassett, Dr Riley Brown, Professor Jeff Coombes
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Doctor Philosophy
Effects of Exercise in Paediatric Congenital Heart Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jeff Coombes
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Doctor Philosophy
Strengthening Wellbeing: Exploring the Role of Resistance Training in Enhancing Social and Emotional Wellbeing Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kym Rae, Dr Kai Wheeler
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Doctor Philosophy
Exercise Training in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jeff Coombes
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Doctor Philosophy
Structured breathing practice and exercise for stress reduction via telehealth - Feasability, mechanisms for allied health practice.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nicholas Gilson
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Master Philosophy
Resistance training approaches for musculoskeletal health in perimenopausal women
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michelle Smith, Dr Jenna Taylor
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Exercise, Digital Health and Chronic Disease: Feasibility, Effectiveness and Uptake
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jeff Coombes
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
"Stepping up" exercise for type 2 diabetes: a stepped care approach to lifestyle therapy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jeff Coombes
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Comparison of Low-Volume, High-Intensity Aerobic and Resistance Interval Training with Current Exercise Recommendations on Cardiometabolic Outcomes in People with Type 2 Diabetes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Wendy Brown, Professor Jeff Coombes
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
The Physiological, Biochemical and Psychological Effects of Low-Volume Combined Aerobic and Resistance High-Intensity Interval Training in People with Type 2 Diabetes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jeff Coombes
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
The feasibility, safety, adherence, and efficacy of high intensity interval training in rehabilitation for coronary heart disease.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jeff Coombes
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Shelley Keating directly for media enquiries about:
- Exercise
- Fitness
- Health
- Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Obesity
- Weight management
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