Associate Professor Shelley Keating
Associate Professor

Shelley Keating

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+61 7 334 69999

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), type 2 diabetes and liver cirrhosis. She leads a multidisciplinary research program advancing the integration of exercise into standard cardiometabolic and hepatology care pathways. 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 hepatology care. A/Prof Keating is also a member of the Global NASH/MASH Council and the EASL Global Liver Advocacy Network, contributing to international advocacy and multidisciplinary collaboration in steatotic liver disease.

A/Prof Keating is the Director of the Exercise Physiology and Liver Disease Translation Group (EP-Liver), which is advanding liver health through exercise, implementation and partnership. The Exercise Physiology and Liver Disease Translation Group conducts clinical trials and implementation research to integrate exercise physiology into the prevention, assessment and management of steatotic liver disease and cirrhosis, with the goal of advancing liver health across the disease spectrum.

The Exercise Physiology and Liver Disease Translation Group (EP-Liver) has three core pillars:

Transforming Workforce: Builds workforce capacity and implementation frameworks that embed exercise physiology within multidiciplinary care for steatotic liver disease and cirrhosis.

Translating Evidence: Generates and translates clinical trial evidence on exercise as a therapeutic intervention for steatotic liver disease and cirrhosis into guidelines and models of care.

Amplifying Voices: Centres the perspectives of people living with steatotic liver disease and cirrhosis through co-design and engagement, ensuring models of care are equity-informed.

Availability

Associate Professor Shelley Keating is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Clinical sciences Endocrinology Gastroenterology and hepatology Sports science and exercise

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours), University of Wollongong
  • Masters (Coursework), University of Sydney
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney

Research interests

  • 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. This includes optimising outcomes in people with MASLD receiving GLP-1RA and other pharmacotherapy by integrating exercise and nutrition care.

  • 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.

  • 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 is an internationally recognised leader in the development and translation of exercise‑based care for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). 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.

A/Prof Keating led the development of the first Australian Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) clinical practice guidelines for MAFLD (2023; PMID: 37695493) and co‑authored the American College of Sports Medicine physical activity guidelines for MAFLD (2023; PMID: 37126039). She co-authored the 2025 APASL MAFLD clinical practice guidelines (PMID: 40016576) and the 2026 GESA Portal Hypertension in Cirrhosis Consensus (PMID:41921189), specifically developing the exercise and lifestyle recommendations.

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.

Search Professor Shelley Keating’s works on UQ eSpace

176 works between 2012 and 2026
All (176) Journal Article (145) Conference Publication (26) Book Chapter (5)

21 - 40 of 176 works

2026

Journal Article

Physical activity to reduce cardiometabolic risk in veterans and their families: protocol for an interdisciplinary investigation with toolkit co-design

Ferris, Laura J., Hawke, Philip, Knight, Emma, Burton, Nicola W. and Keating, Shelley E. (2026). Physical activity to reduce cardiometabolic risk in veterans and their families: protocol for an interdisciplinary investigation with toolkit co-design. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7 1716823, 1-8. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1716823

Physical activity to reduce cardiometabolic risk in veterans and their families: protocol for an interdisciplinary investigation with toolkit co-design

2026

Journal Article

Co-design of a digital health lifestyle intervention for adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Sood, Surbhi, Roberts, Stuart, Scott, David, Keating, Shelley, Tan, Sze-Yen, George, Jacob, Kiss, Nicole, Daly, Robin, Dunstan, David, Tucker, Robin and George, Elena (2026). Co-design of a digital health lifestyle intervention for adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 32 (5), 465-478. doi: 10.1177/1357633x251366098

Co-design of a digital health lifestyle intervention for adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

2025

Journal Article

Technical issues in exercise video consultations do not negatively impact exercise intensity for participants with complex chronic conditions: a retrospective audit

Brown, Riley C. C., Ross, Megan H., Coombes, Jeff S., Hickman, Ingrid J., Burton, Nicola W., Kelly, Jaimon T., Russell, Trevor G. and Keating, Shelley E. (2025). Technical issues in exercise video consultations do not negatively impact exercise intensity for participants with complex chronic conditions: a retrospective audit. Digital Health, 11 20552076251410986, 1-13. doi: 10.1177/20552076251410986

Technical issues in exercise video consultations do not negatively impact exercise intensity for participants with complex chronic conditions: a retrospective audit

2025

Journal Article

Determining the digital health literacy and potential solutions to support people with complex chronic conditions to engage with digital models of care

Kelly, Jaimon T., Caffery, Liam J., Thomas, Emma E., de Camargo Catapan, Soraia, Smith, Anthony C., Isbel, Nicole, Mayr, Hannah, Webb, Lindsey, Campbell, Katrina L., Macdonald, Graeme A., Coombes, Jeff S., Keating, Shelley E. and Hickman, Ingrid J. (2025). Determining the digital health literacy and potential solutions to support people with complex chronic conditions to engage with digital models of care. Patient Education and Counseling, 140 109278, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2025.109278

Determining the digital health literacy and potential solutions to support people with complex chronic conditions to engage with digital models of care

2025

Journal Article

Feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of telehealth-delivered group exercise for people with type 2 diabetes: a pilot trial

Cox, Emily R., Young, Myles D., Keating, Shelley E., Drew, Ryan J., Kolasinski, Matthew and Plotnikoff, Ronald C. (2025). Feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of telehealth-delivered group exercise for people with type 2 diabetes: a pilot trial. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 31 (9), 1285-1295. doi: 10.1177/1357633x241287966

Feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of telehealth-delivered group exercise for people with type 2 diabetes: a pilot trial

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

A population-based study of cause-specific mortality in First Nations Australians with cirrhosis: impact of cardiometabolic comorbidities and liver disease risk factors

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

Exercise prescription in the management of chronic disease falling through an evidence-practice gap: perspectives of doctors and nurses in specialist settings

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

An effectiveness trial of an exercise physiologist service to improve quality of life in adults with severe mental illness: Protocol for the MOVEMENT Study

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

[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 

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

Role of eccentric cycling in older adults affected by sarcopenia and heart failure: a feasibility and efficacy study protocol

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

Directrices australianas para la actividad física en el embarazo y el postparto

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

Client experiences, perceptions and acceptability of a digital health enabled student-led exercise physiology clinic for metabolic conditions: a qualitative study

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

Determinants of physical activity 10 months following a supervised exercise program in people with type 2 diabetes

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

Co-design of a digital lifestyle intervention for Australian adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease

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

Goal Setting and Attainment in a Randomised Controlled Trial of Digital Health-Assisted Lifestyle Interventions in People with Kidney and Liver Disease

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

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

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

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

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

Use of digital food records in clinical settings: lessons in translation from a randomised controlled trial

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

HepNet: deep neural network for classification of early-stage hepatic steatosis using microwave signals

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

Low-volume combined aerobic and resistance high-intensity interval training in type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial

Current funding

  • 2026 - 2030
    Transforming exercise care for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2025
    Obesity & CVD Evidence Review and Environmental Scan
    National Heart Foundation of Australia
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2026
    Exercise for reducing liver fibro-inflammation in people living with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and type 2 diabetes
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Enhancing Exercise Prescription and Adherence for Type 2 Diabetes Management for Adults with Long-COVID: A Randomised Pilot Trial (Diabetes Australia Research Grant administered by The UniNewcastle)
    University of Newcastle
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Examining the optimal exercise frequency for alleviating liver fat in obese adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A comparative randomized controlled trial (administrated by UHK)
    University of Hong Kong
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Enhancing the value of virtual care services through improving staff & patient digital health literacy for the management of complex chronic conditions (Metro South Research Support Scheme led by MS)
    Metro South Research Support Scheme Co-funded Collaboration Grant
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of the Physical Activity Intelligence (PAI) e-health program for cardiac patients from the Defence community
    Defence Health Foundation Grants for Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    UQ AWARE - Dr Shelley Keating
    UQ Amplify Women's Academic Research Equity
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Personalising therapeutic targets to prevent cardiovascular disease in people with central obesity: should we target fitness or ectopic fat?
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    UQ AWARE - Dr Shelley Keating
    UQ Amplify Women's Academic Research Equity
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2026
    High intensity exercise targeting insulin resistance in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: is it safe, effective and feasible in practice?
    Diabetes Australia Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2022
    One size does not fit all: personalised exercise strategies to improve cardiovascular and metabolic health in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
    NHMRC Early Career Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2021
    High intensity exercise for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis - is it safe, effective, and feasible in practice? (Tom Penrose Community Service Grant)
    Exercise and Sports Science Australia Ltd
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Shelley Keating is:
Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

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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