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
2023
Journal Article
A global research priority agenda to advance public health responses to fatty liver disease
Lazarus, Jeffrey V., Mark, Henry E., Allen, Alina M., Arab, Juan Pablo, Carrieri, Patrizia, Noureddin, Mazen, Alazawi, William, Alkhouri, Naim, Alqahtani, Saleh A., Arrese, Marco, Bataller, Ramon, Berg, Thomas, Brennan, Paul N., Burra, Patrizia, Castro-Narro, Graciela E., Cortez-Pinto, Helena, Cusi, Kenneth, Dedes, Nikos, Duseja, Ajay, Francque, Sven M., Hagström, Hannes, Huang, Terry T.-K., Wajcman, Dana Ivancovsky, Kautz, Achim, Kopka, Christopher J., Krag, Aleksander, Miller, Veronica, Newsome, Philip N., Rinella, Mary E. ... Zheng, Ming-Hua (2023). A global research priority agenda to advance public health responses to fatty liver disease. Journal of Hepatology, 79 (3), 618-634. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.04.035
2023
Journal Article
Exercise is medicine for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: exploration of putative mechanisms
Heinle, James Westley, DiJoseph, Kara, Sabag, Angelo, Oh, Sechang, Kimball, Scot R., Keating, Shelley and Stine, Jonathan G. (2023). Exercise is medicine for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: exploration of putative mechanisms. Nutrients, 15 (11) 2452, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/nu15112452
2023
Journal Article
A mixed-methods exploration of attitudes towards pregnant Facebook fitness influencers
Hayman, Melanie, Keppel, Marian, Stanton, Robert, Thwaite, Tanya L., Alfrey, Kristie-Lee, Alley, Stephanie, Harrison, Cheryce, Keating, Shelley E., Schoeppe, Stephanie, Cannon, Summer S., Haakstad, Lene A H, Gjestvang, Christina and Williams, Susan L. (2023). A mixed-methods exploration of attitudes towards pregnant Facebook fitness influencers. BMC Public Health, 23 (1) 569, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15457-6
2023
Journal Article
Serum fibroblast growth factor 21 is markedly decreased following exercise training in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Stine, Jonathan G., Welles, Jaclyn E., Keating, Shelley, Hussaini, Zeba, Soriano, Christopher, Heinle, J. Wes, Geyer, Nathaniel, Chinchilli, Vernon M., Loomba, Rohit and Kimball, Scot R. (2023). Serum fibroblast growth factor 21 is markedly decreased following exercise training in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Nutrients, 15 (6) 1481, 1-12. doi: 10.3390/nu15061481
2023
Journal Article
Client and clinician experiences and perspectives of exercise physiology services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
Brown, Riley C.C., Keating, Shelley E., Owen, Patrick J., Jansons, Paul, McVicar, Jenna, Askew, Christopher D, Clanchy, Kelly M, Maddison, Ralph, Maiorana, Andrew, Robinson, Suzanne and Mundell, Niamh L (2023). Client and clinician experiences and perspectives of exercise physiology services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25 (1) e46370, 1-11. doi: 10.2196/46370
2023
Journal Article
Sex differences in the feasibility of aerobic exercise training for improving cardiometabolic health outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes
O’Gorman, Sian Alice, Miller, Clint Thomas, Rawstorn, Jonathan Charles, Sabag, Angelo, Sultana, Rachelle Noelle, Lanting, Sean Michael, Keating, Shelley Elizabeth, Johnson, Nathan Anthony and Way, Kimberley Larisa (2023). Sex differences in the feasibility of aerobic exercise training for improving cardiometabolic health outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12 (4) 1255, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/jcm12041255
2023
Journal Article
The effectiveness of exercise physiology services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pragmatic cohort study
Owen, Patrick J., Keating, Shelley E., Askew, Christopher D., Clanchy, Kelly M., Jansons, Paul, Maddison, Ralph, Maiorana, Andrew, McVicar, Jenna, Robinson, Suzanne, Neason, Christopher, Clarkson, Matthew J. and Mundell, Niamh L. (2023). The effectiveness of exercise physiology services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pragmatic cohort study. Sports Medicine - Open, 9 (1) 2, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s40798-022-00539-3
2023
Conference Publication
Patients’ acceptability of a suite of imposed and self-selected technology to assist with lifestyle behaviour change in complex chronic conditions: Mixed methods study
Barnett, Amandine, Hickman, Ingrid J., De Camargo Catapan, Soraia, Brown, Riley, Jegatheesan, Dev, Mayr, Hannah L., Conley, Marguerite, Webb, Lindsey, Staudacher, Heidi M., Macdonald, Graeme A., Burton, Nicola W., Keating, Shelley E., Coombes, Jeff S., Campbell, Katrina L., Isbel, Nikky and Kelly, Jaimon T. (2023). Patients’ acceptability of a suite of imposed and self-selected technology to assist with lifestyle behaviour change in complex chronic conditions: Mixed methods study. BEST Conference on Human Behaviour and Decision Making, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 2-3 February 2023.
2022
Journal Article
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on exercise physiology services in australia: a retrospective audit
Owen, Patrick J., Keating, Shelley E., Askew, Christopher D., Clanchy, Kelly M., Jansons, Paul, Maddison, Ralph, Maiorana, Andrew, McVicar, Jenna, Robinson, Suzanne and Mundell, Niamh L. (2022). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on exercise physiology services in australia: a retrospective audit. Sports Medicine - Open, 8 (1) 94, 1-10. doi: 10.1186/s40798-022-00483-2
2022
Journal Article
Safety and efficacy of exercise training in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease: a systematic review and descriptive analysis
Anderson, Christopher A. J., Suna, Jessica M., Keating, Shelley E., Cordina, Rachael, Tran, Derek L., Ayer, Julian and Coombes, Jeff S. (2022). Safety and efficacy of exercise training in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease: a systematic review and descriptive analysis. American Heart Journal, 253, 1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2022.06.006
2022
Journal Article
Portable electromagnetic device for steatotic liver detection using blind source separation and Shannon wavelet entropy
Janani, Azin S., Rezaeieh, Sasan Ahdi, Darvazehban, Amin, Keating, Shelley E. and Abbosh, Amin M. (2022). Portable electromagnetic device for steatotic liver detection using blind source separation and Shannon wavelet entropy. IEEE Journal of Electromagnetics, RF and Microwaves in Medicine and Biology, PP (99), 1-9. doi: 10.1109/jerm.2022.3205247
2022
Journal Article
The efficacy of exercise training for cutaneous microvascular reactivity in the foot in people with diabetes and obesity: secondary analyses from a randomized controlled trial
Lanting, Sean, Way, Kimberley, Sabag, Angelo, Sultana, Rachelle, Gerofi, James, Johnson, Nathan, Baker, Michael, Keating, Shelley, Caterson, Ian, Twigg, Stephen and Chuter, Vivienne (2022). The efficacy of exercise training for cutaneous microvascular reactivity in the foot in people with diabetes and obesity: secondary analyses from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11 (17) 5018, 1-12. doi: 10.3390/jcm11175018
2022
Journal Article
The effect of diet and exercise interventions on body composition in liver cirrhosis: a systematic review
Johnston, Heidi E., Takefala, Tahnie G., Kelly, Jaimon T., Keating, Shelley E., Coombes, Jeff S., Macdonald, Graeme A., Hickman, Ingrid J. and Mayr, Hannah L. (2022). The effect of diet and exercise interventions on body composition in liver cirrhosis: a systematic review. Nutrients, 14 (16) 3365, 1-28. doi: 10.3390/nu14163365
2022
Journal Article
Effectiveness of exercise via telehealth for chronic disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise interventions delivered via videoconferencing
Brown, Riley C.C., Coombes, Jeff S., Jungbluth Rodriguez, Klaus, Hickman, Ingrid J. and Keating, Shelley E. (2022). Effectiveness of exercise via telehealth for chronic disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise interventions delivered via videoconferencing. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 56 (18) bjsports-2021-105118, bjsports-2021. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-105118
2022
Journal Article
Effect of severe compared with moderate energy restriction on physical activity among postmenopausal female adults with obesity: a prespecified secondary analysis of the Type of Energy Manipulation for Promoting optimum metabolic health and body composition in Obesity (TEMPO) Diet randomized controlled Trial
Jin, Xingzhong, Gibson, Alice A., Salis, Zubeyir, Seimon, Radhika V., Harper, Claudia, Markovic, Tania P., Byrne, Nuala M., Keating, Shelley E., Stamatakis, Emmanuel, Inan-Eroglu, Elif, Da Luz, Felipe Q., Ayre, Julie and Sainsbury, Amanda (2022). Effect of severe compared with moderate energy restriction on physical activity among postmenopausal female adults with obesity: a prespecified secondary analysis of the Type of Energy Manipulation for Promoting optimum metabolic health and body composition in Obesity (TEMPO) Diet randomized controlled Trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 115 (5), 1393-1403. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac024
2022
Journal Article
Associations between fitness, physical activity, and fatness in preschool children with typical and atypical motor coordination
Keating, Shelley E., Mielke, Gregore I., King-Dowling, Sara, Timmons, Brian W., Kwan, Matthew and Cairney, John (2022). Associations between fitness, physical activity, and fatness in preschool children with typical and atypical motor coordination. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 10 756862, 1-10. doi: 10.3389/fped.2022.756862
2022
Journal Article
Effect of aerobic exercise on waist circumference in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Armstrong, Alex, Jungbluth Rodriguez, Klaus, Sabag, Angelo, Mavros, Yorgi, Parker, Helen M., Keating, Shelley E. and Johnson, Nathan A. (2022). Effect of aerobic exercise on waist circumference in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity Reviews, 23 (8) e13446, e13446. doi: 10.1111/obr.13446
2022
Journal Article
Effects of one-year once-weekly high-intensity interval training on body adiposity and liver fat in adults with central obesity: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Chin, Edwin C., Leung, Chit K., Yu, Danny J., Yu, Angus P., Bernal, Joshua K., Lai, Christopher W., Chan, Derwin K.C., Ngai, Heidi H., Yung, Patrick S.H., Lee, Chi H., Fong, Daniel Y., Keating, Shelley E., Coombes, Jeff S. and Siu, Parco M. (2022). Effects of one-year once-weekly high-intensity interval training on body adiposity and liver fat in adults with central obesity: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness, 20 (2), 161-171. doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2022.03.003
2022
Journal Article
Effects of exercise intensity on gut microbiome composition and function in people with type 2 diabetes
Torquati, L., Gajanand, T., Cox, E. R., Willis, C. R. G., Zaugg, J., Keating, S. E. and Coombes, J. S. (2022). Effects of exercise intensity on gut microbiome composition and function in people with type 2 diabetes. European Journal of Sport Science, 23 (4), 1-12. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2022.2035436
2022
Journal Article
Effects of fitness and fatness on age-related arterial stiffening in people with type 2 diabetes
Cox, Emily R., Brown, Wendy J., Gajanand, Trishan, Bailey, Tom G., Gomersall, Sjaan R., Chachay, Veronique S., Burton, Nicola W., Fassett, Robert G., Cox, Stephen V., Coombes, Jeff S and Keating, Shelley E (2022). Effects of fitness and fatness on age-related arterial stiffening in people with type 2 diabetes. Clinical Obesity, 12 (3) e12519, e12519. doi: 10.1111/cob.12519
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
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
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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 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
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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
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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