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
2022
Journal Article
Medicare reimbursed telehealth exercise physiology services were underutilised through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: an ecological study
Brown, Riley C. C., Coombes, Jeff S., Snoswell, Centaine L., Kelly, Jaimon T. and Keating, Shelley E. (2022). Medicare reimbursed telehealth exercise physiology services were underutilised through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: an ecological study. Australian Health Review, 47 (2), 175-181. doi: 10.1071/ah22220
2022
Journal Article
How APPropriate are physical activity apps for pregnant women appropriate: A systematic search and content analysis of evidence-based content, features of exercise instruction, and expert involvement
Hayman, Melanie, Alfrey, Kristie-Lee, Waters, Kim, Cannon, Summer, Mielke, Gregore Iven, Keating, Shelley, Mena, Gabriela P., Mottola, Michelle F., Evenson, Kelly R., Davenport, Margie H., Barlow, S. Ariel, Budzynski-Seymour, Emily, Comardelle, Natalie, Dickey, Madison, Harrison, Cheryce L., Kebbe, Maryam, Moholdt, Trine, Moran, Lisa J., Nagpal, Taniya S., Schoeppe, Stephanie, Stephanie, Alley, Brown, Wendy, Williams, Susan and Vincze, Lisa (2022). How APPropriate are physical activity apps for pregnant women appropriate: A systematic search and content analysis of evidence-based content, features of exercise instruction, and expert involvement. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 10 (1) e31607, 1-15. doi: 10.2196/31607
2022
Journal Article
Australian guidelines for physical activity in pregnancy and postpartum
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. (2022). Australian guidelines for physical activity in pregnancy and postpartum. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 25 (6), 511-519. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2022.03.008
2021
Journal Article
Exercise training intensity and the fitness-fatness index in adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized trial
Ramos, Joyce S., Dalleck, Lance C., Fennell, Mackenzie, Martini, Alex, Welmans, Talita, Stennett, Rebecca, Keating, Shelley E., Fassett, Robert G. and Coombes, Jeff S. (2021). Exercise training intensity and the fitness-fatness index in adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized trial. Sports Medicine - Open, 7 (1) 100, 100. doi: 10.1186/s40798-021-00395-7
2021
Journal Article
Genome wide association study of response to interval and continuous exercise training: the Predict-HIIT study
Williams, Camilla J., Li, Zhixiu, Harvey, Nicholas, Lea, Rodney A., Gurd, Brendon J., Bonafiglia, Jacob T., Papadimitriou, Ioannis, Jacques, Macsue, Croci, Ilaria, Stensvold, Dorthe, Wisloff, Ulrik, Taylor, Jenna L., Gajanand, Trishan, Cox, Emily R., Ramos, Joyce S., Fassett, Robert G., Little, Jonathan P., Francois, Monique E., Hearon, Christopher M., Sarma, Satyam, Janssen, Sylvan L. J. E., Van Craenenbroeck, Emeline M., Beckers, Paul, Cornelissen, Véronique A., Howden, Erin J., Keating, Shelley E., Yan, Xu, Bishop, David J., Bye, Anja ... Coombes, Jeff S. (2021). Genome wide association study of response to interval and continuous exercise training: the Predict-HIIT study. Journal of Biomedical Science, 28 (1) 37, 37. doi: 10.1186/s12929-021-00733-7
2021
Journal Article
The association between cardiorespiratory fitness, liver fat and insulin resistance in adults with or without type 2 diabetes: a cross sectional-analysis
Sabag, Angelo, Keating, Shelley E., Way, Kimberley L., Sultana, Rachelle N., Lanting, Sean M., Twigg, Stephen M. and Johnson, Nathan A. (2021). The association between cardiorespiratory fitness, liver fat and insulin resistance in adults with or without type 2 diabetes: a cross sectional-analysis. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 13 (1) 40, 40. doi: 10.1186/s13102-021-00261-9
2021
Journal Article
The effect of high-intensity interval training vs moderate-intensity continuous training on liver fat: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Sabag, Angelo, Barr, Loren, Armour, Mike, Armstrong, Alex, Baker, Callum J., Twigg, Stephen M., Chang, Dennis, Hackett, Daniel A., Keating, Shelley E., George, Jacob and Johnson, Nathan A. (2021). The effect of high-intensity interval training vs moderate-intensity continuous training on liver fat: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 107 (3), 862-881. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab795
2021
Journal Article
How body composition techniques measure up for reliability across the age-span
Rose, Grace L., Farley, Morgan J., Slater, Gary J, Ward, Leigh C., Skinner, Tina L., Keating, Shelley E. and Schaumberg, Mia A. (2021). How body composition techniques measure up for reliability across the age-span. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 114 (1), 281-294. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab046
2021
Journal Article
Effect of menopause on cerebral artery blood flow velocity and cerebrovascular reactivity: systematic review and meta-analysis
Ruediger, Stefanie L., Koep, Jodie L., Keating, Shelley E., Pizzey, Faith K., Coombes, Jeff S. and Bailey, Tom G. (2021). Effect of menopause on cerebral artery blood flow velocity and cerebrovascular reactivity: systematic review and meta-analysis. Maturitas, 148, 24-32. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.04.004
2021
Journal Article
The effect of heat therapy on blood pressure and peripheral vascular function: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Pizzey, Faith K., Smith, Emily C., Ruediger, Stefanie L., Keating, Shelley E., Askew, Christopher D., Coombes, Jeff S. and Bailey, Tom G. (2021). The effect of heat therapy on blood pressure and peripheral vascular function: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Experimental Physiology, 106 (6), 1317-1334. doi: 10.1113/ep089424
2021
Journal Article
Similar Morphological and Functional Training Adaptations Occur Between Continuous and Intermittent Blood Flow Restriction
Davids, Charlie J., Raastad, Truls, James, Lachlan P., Gajanand, Trishan, Smith, Emily, Connick, Mark, McGorm, Hamish, Keating, Shelley, Coombes, Jeff S., Peake, Jonathan M. and Roberts, Llion A. (2021). Similar Morphological and Functional Training Adaptations Occur Between Continuous and Intermittent Blood Flow Restriction. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35 (7), 1784-1793. doi: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000004034
2021
Journal Article
Accuracy of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for assessing longitudinal change in visceral adipose tissue in patients with coronary artery disease
Taylor, Jenna L., Holland, David J., Coombes, Jeff S. and Keating, Shelley E. (2021). Accuracy of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for assessing longitudinal change in visceral adipose tissue in patients with coronary artery disease. International Journal of Obesity, 45 (8), 1-11. doi: 10.1038/s41366-021-00840-3
2021
Journal Article
Trajectories and determinants of weight gain in two cohorts of young adult women born 16 years apart
Brown, Wendy J., Flores, Thaynã R., Keating, Shelley E. and Mielke, Gregore I. (2021). Trajectories and determinants of weight gain in two cohorts of young adult women born 16 years apart. International Journal of Obesity, 45 (7), 1553-1564. doi: 10.1038/s41366-021-00819-0
2021
Journal Article
High intensity interval training does not result in short- or long-term dietary compensation in cardiac rehabilitation: results from the FITR heart study
Taylor, Jenna L., Keating, Shelley E., Holland, David J., Finlayson, Graham, King, Neil A., Gomersall, Sjaan R., Rowlands, Alex V., Coombes, Jeff S. and Leveritt, Michael D. (2021). High intensity interval training does not result in short- or long-term dietary compensation in cardiac rehabilitation: results from the FITR heart study. Appetite, 158 105021, 105021. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2020.105021
2021
Journal Article
Adherence to high-intensity interval training in cardiac rehabilitation: a review and recommendations
Taylor, Jenna L., Holland, David J., Keating, Shelley E., Bonikowske, Amanda R. and Coombes, Jeff S. (2021). Adherence to high-intensity interval training in cardiac rehabilitation: a review and recommendations. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 41 (2), 61-77. doi: 10.1097/HCR.0000000000000565
2021
Journal Article
The effect of exercise intensity and volume on metabolic phenotype in patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
Von Korn, Pia, Keating, Shelley, Mueller, Stephan, Haller, Bernhard, Kraenkel, Nicolle, Dinges, Sophia, Duvinage, André, Scherr, Johannes, Wisløff, Ulrik, Tjønna, Arnt Erik, Halle, Martin and Lechner, Katharina (2021). The effect of exercise intensity and volume on metabolic phenotype in patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, 19 (2), 107-114. doi: 10.1089/met.2020.0105
2021
Book Chapter
Designing an exercise program
Coombes, Jeff S., Keating, Shelley E. and Kidgell, Dawson J. (2021). Designing an exercise program. ESSA's Student Manual for Exercise Prescription, Delivery and Adherence. (pp. 26-51) Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7295-4270-8.00011-7
2021
Book Chapter
Exercise programming for healthy populations with special considerations
Coombes, Jeff S. and Keating, Shelley E. (2021). Exercise programming for healthy populations with special considerations. ESSA's Student Manual for Exercise Prescription, Delivery and Adherence. (pp. 52-80) Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7295-4270-8.00012-9
2021
Journal Article
Telehealth-delivered, cardioprotective diet and exercise program for liver transplant recipients: a randomized feasibility study
Hickman, Ingrid J., Hannigan, Amy K., Johnston, Heidi E., Elvin-Walsh, Louise, Mayr, Hannah L., Staudacher, Heidi M., Barnett, Amandine, Stoney, Rachel, Salisbury, Chloe, Jarrett, Maree, Reeves, Marina M., Coombes, Jeff S., Campbell, Katrina L., Keating, Shelley E. and Macdonald, Graeme A. (2021). Telehealth-delivered, cardioprotective diet and exercise program for liver transplant recipients: a randomized feasibility study. Transplantation Direct, 7 (3) e667, e667. doi: 10.1097/TXD.0000000000001118
2021
Journal Article
The effects of exercise on the bone health of people with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Rose, Grace L., Skinner, Tina L., Keating, Shelley E., Friedrich, Nina K. and Bolam, Kate A. (2021). The effects of exercise on the bone health of people with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Osteoporosis International, 33 (2), 327-338. doi: 10.1007/s00198-021-06131-x
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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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: Dr Riley Brown, Professor Jeff Coombes
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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
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 and Body Composition in Children and Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease
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
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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