Emma Beckman
- Email:
- e.beckman@uq.edu.au
- Phone:
- +61 7 334 67904
- Mobile:
- 0431807573
Overview
Background
Dr Emma Beckman is a Teaching and Research academic at the University of Queensland. Emma is passionate about engaging in research to improve the lives of people with a disability through sports, physical activity, and exercise. Following a master’s degree in Adapted physical activity, Emma completed her PhD in strength assessment for classification in Para Sport. She is currently a co-investigator in the UQ IPC Classification Research Partnership, and an internationally accredited classifier in Para Athletics.
Through her Para Sport research, Dr Beckman has seen the power of collaborative care and is committed to research that uses collaborative care models to improve health outcomes. She has undertaken projects to evaluate the impact of interprofessional education and practice on students, educators and clients and has adapted this work for different populations, including people with disabilities and university students with mental health issues.
Availability
- Associate Professor Emma Beckman is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Applied Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Paralympics
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Disability sports
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Classification
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Exercise physiology
Research impacts
Dr Beckman has strong connections to the sports science industry through her research, particularly in translation of her research into rules and regulations that impact on para athletes worldwide. On the basis of research conducted by Dr Beckman and her team, the International Paralympic Committee has updated or introduced rules related to Maximal Allowable Standing Height in bilateral lower limb amputees, and the procedures and process related to classification of athletes with eligible impairments such as hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis in athletics. Dr Beckman has acted as an expert for World Athletics in legal proceedings for the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS), demonstrating the impact of her research in practice.
Works
Search Professor Emma Beckman’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Journal Article
Establishing the reliability of instrumented trunk impairment assessment methods to enable evidence-based classification in Para swimming
Smith, Rachel, Connick, Mark, Beckman, Emma, Hogarth, Luke and Nicholson, Vaughan (2021). Establishing the reliability of instrumented trunk impairment assessment methods to enable evidence-based classification in Para swimming. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39 (sup1), 1-8. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2021.1930699
2021
Journal Article
Monitoring Prescribed and Actual Resistance Training Loads in Professional Rugby League
Redman, Kellyanne J., Connick, Mark J., Beckman, Emma M. and Kelly, Vincent G. (2021). Monitoring Prescribed and Actual Resistance Training Loads in Professional Rugby League. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35 (6), 1604-1610. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004040
2021
Journal Article
Does sports-specific training improve measures of impairment developed for para sport classification? A multiple-baseline, single-case experiment
Wilson, Paula J, Connick, Mark J, Dutia, Iain M, Beckman, Emma M, Macaro, Angelo and Tweedy, Sean M (2021). Does sports-specific training improve measures of impairment developed for para sport classification? A multiple-baseline, single-case experiment. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39 (sup1), 1-10. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2021.1883309
2020
Journal Article
Interprofessional, student-led community health clinic: expanding service provision and clinical education capacity
Forbes, Roma, Beckman, Emma, Tower, Marion, Mandrusiak, Allison, Mitchell, Leander K., Sexton, Christopher T., Cunningham, Brent and Lewis, Peter A. (2020). Interprofessional, student-led community health clinic: expanding service provision and clinical education capacity. Australian Health Review, 45 (2), 255-260. doi: 10.1071/ah20021
2020
Journal Article
Differentiating maximal and submaximal voluntary strength measures for the purposes of medico-legal assessments and para sport classification: a systematic review
Paix, Emily L., Tweedy, Sean M., Connick, Mark J. and Beckman, Emma M. (2020). Differentiating maximal and submaximal voluntary strength measures for the purposes of medico-legal assessments and para sport classification: a systematic review. European Journal of Sport Science, 21 (11), 1-33. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1834623
2020
Journal Article
Competitive sport, therapy, and physical education: voices of young people with cerebral palsy who have high support needs
Enright, Eimear, Beckman, Emma M., Connick, Mark J., Dutia, Iain Mayank, Macaro, Angelo, Wilson, Paula J., O'Sullivan, Jennifer, Lavalliere, Jean-Michel, Block, Turner, Johnston, Leanne M., Panagoda, Gaj and Tweedy, Sean M. (2020). Competitive sport, therapy, and physical education: voices of young people with cerebral palsy who have high support needs. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 55 (10), bjsports-2020. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102276
2020
Journal Article
Do women runners report more pelvic floor symptoms than women in CrossFit®? A cross-sectional survey
Forner, Lori B., Beckman, Emma M. and Smith, Michelle D. (2020). Do women runners report more pelvic floor symptoms than women in CrossFit®? A cross-sectional survey. International Urogynecology Journal, 32 (2), 295-302. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04531-x
2020
Journal Article
Measures of impairment applicable to the classification of Paralympic athletes competing in wheelchair sports: a systematic review of validity, reliability and associations with performance
Hutchinson, Michael J., Phillips, Jamie-Lee K., Mason, Barry S., Goosey-Tolfrey, Victoria L. and Beckman, Emma M. (2020). Measures of impairment applicable to the classification of Paralympic athletes competing in wheelchair sports: a systematic review of validity, reliability and associations with performance. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39 (sup1), 1-22. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1815957
2020
Journal Article
Biomechanics of starting, sprinting and submaximal running in athletes with brain impairment: a systematic review
Fiorese, Brittany A., Beckman, Emma M., Connick, Mark J., Hunter, Adam B. and Tweedy, Sean M. (2020). Biomechanics of starting, sprinting and submaximal running in athletes with brain impairment: a systematic review. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 23 (12), 1118-1127. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.05.006
2020
Journal Article
The countermovement jump mechanics of mixed martial arts competitors
James, Lachlan P., Connick, Mark, Haff, G. Gregory, Kelly, Vincent G. and Beckman, Emma M. (2020). The countermovement jump mechanics of mixed martial arts competitors. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34 (4), 982-987. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003508
2019
Journal Article
Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse in women who lift heavy weights for exercise: a cross-sectional survey
Forner, Lori B., Beckman, Emma M. and Smith, Michelle D. (2019). Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse in women who lift heavy weights for exercise: a cross-sectional survey. International Urogynecology Journal, 31 (8), 1551-1558. doi: 10.1007/s00192-019-04163-w
2019
Journal Article
Evaluating the effects of performance-focused swimming training on people with cerebral palsy who have high support needs - a study protocol using single-case experimental design
Dutia, I. M., Connick, M. J., Beckman, E. M., Johnston, L. M., Wilson, P. J., Macaro, A. and Tweedy, S. M. (2019). Evaluating the effects of performance-focused swimming training on people with cerebral palsy who have high support needs - a study protocol using single-case experimental design. Brain Impairment, 21 (2), 1-18. doi: 10.1017/BrImp.2019.15
2019
Journal Article
Fitness, function, and exercise training responses after limb salvage with a lower limb megaprosthesis: a systematic review
Wilson, Paula J., Steadman, Peter, Beckman, Emma M., Connick, Mark J., Carty, Christopher P. and Tweedy, Sean M. (2019). Fitness, function, and exercise training responses after limb salvage with a lower limb megaprosthesis: a systematic review. PM and R, 11 (5), 533-547. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.12045
2019
Journal Article
Classifying motor coordination impairment in Para swimmers with brain injury
Hogarth, Luke, Payton, Carl, Nicholson, Vaughan, Spathis, Jemima, Tweedy, Sean, Connick, Mark, Beckman, Emma, Van de Vliet, Peter and Burkett, Brendan (2019). Classifying motor coordination impairment in Para swimmers with brain injury. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 22 (5), 526-531. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.11.015
2019
Book Chapter
Exercise and nutritional benefits for individuals with a spinal cord injury or amputation
Keogh, Justin W. and Beckman, Emma (2019). Exercise and nutritional benefits for individuals with a spinal cord injury or amputation. Nutrition and enhanced sports performance: muscle building, endurance, and strength. (pp. 175-188) edited by Debasis Bagchi, Sreejayan Nair and Chandan K. Sen. London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-813922-6.00015-1
2018
Journal Article
Physiological determinants of mixed martial arts performance and method of competition outcome
James, Lachlan P., Haff, G. Gregory, Kelly, Vincent G. and Beckman, Emma M. (2018). Physiological determinants of mixed martial arts performance and method of competition outcome. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 13 (6), 978-984. doi: 10.1177/1747954118780303
2018
Journal Article
A battery of strength tests for evidence-based classification in Para swimming
Hogarth, Luke, Nicholson, Vaughan, Spathis, Jemima, Tweedy, Sean, Beckman, Emma, Connick, Mark, van de Vliet, Peter, Payton, Carl and Burkett, Brendan (2018). A battery of strength tests for evidence-based classification in Para swimming. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37 (4), 1-10. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2018.1504606
2018
Journal Article
Establishing the reliability of a novel battery of range of motion tests to enable evidence-based classification in Para Swimming
Nicholson, Vaughan P., Spathis, Jemima G., Hogarth, Luke W., Connick, Mark J., Beckman, Emma M., Tweedy, Sean M., Payton, Carl J. and Burkett, Brendan J. (2018). Establishing the reliability of a novel battery of range of motion tests to enable evidence-based classification in Para Swimming. Physical Therapy in Sport, 32, 34-41. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2018.04.021
2018
Journal Article
Applying scientific principles to enhance paralympic classification now and in the future: a research primer for rehabilitation specialists
Tweedy, Sean M., Connick, Mark J. and Beckman, Emma M. (2018). Applying scientific principles to enhance paralympic classification now and in the future: a research primer for rehabilitation specialists. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 29 (2), 313-332. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2018.01.010
2018
Journal Article
The impact of strength level on adaptations to combined weightlifting, plyometric and ballistic training
James, Lachlan P., Haff, G. Gregory , Kelly, Vincent G. , Connick, Mark , Hoffman, Ben and Beckman, Emma M. (2018). The impact of strength level on adaptations to combined weightlifting, plyometric and ballistic training. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 28 (5), 1494-1505. doi: 10.1111/sms.13045
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Emma Beckman is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Para Sport coach development- a prospective longitudinal study
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
-
Doctor Philosophy
Prospective analysis of para swimming- investigating talent identification, talent development and the impact on impairment and performance.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
-
Doctor Philosophy
An Investigation into the Practical Application of a Novel Measure of Reactive Strength: The Reactive Quality Ratio
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing a Motor Assessment Tool that is Feasible for Autistic Children with High Support Needs
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy, Professor John Cairney
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Doctor Philosophy
Neurophysiological measurements in Paralympic Sport Classification
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
-
Doctor Philosophy
Implementation and scale-up of ParaSTART, a performance focused sports training and applied research program for people with high support needs disabilities.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
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Doctor Philosophy
Development and Evaluation of Medical Screening and Management Procedures for People with Disabilities and High Support Needs Commencing Competitive Sport
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jessica Hill, Professor Sean Tweedy
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Doctor Philosophy
Fit4Study: A Physical Activity Intervention for Undergraduate University Students' Mental Health and Wellbeing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Genevieve Dingle, Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall
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Doctor Philosophy
The Impact of Environmental Factors on the Distribution of Talent Hotspots within Queensland Olympic and Paralympic Populations.
Associate Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
an evaluation of the impact of performance focused sports training on clinical outcomes in individuals with high support needs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
-
Doctor Philosophy
Developing new approaches to pressure injury mitigation for athletes with spinal cord injury
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy, Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall, Dr Jessica Hill
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the effect of a performance-focused sports training program on the functional independence and mobility in people with neuromusculoskeletal high support needs impairments.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
The Impact of Structured Interprofessional Clinical Placements on Student Collaborative Functioning
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Sport Supplementation in Australian Rugby League Athletes: A mixed methods approach to informing best practice
Principal Advisor
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Monitoring the Development and Maintenance of Strength and Power in Professional Rugby League
Principal Advisor
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Developing and Evaluating Measures for Detecting Intentional Misrepresentation during Assessments of Isometric Strength
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
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2018
Master Philosophy
Neuromuscular and Perceptual Fatigue Responses of Elite Netball Players
Principal Advisor
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
The determinants of mixed martial arts performance: from identification to development of the primary physiological quality
Principal Advisor
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Towards better understanding of pelvic organ support in women who engage in recreational exercise: The effects of heavy lifting on the pelvic floor
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges, Dr Marie-Pierre Cyr, Associate Professor Michelle Smith
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Para runners with brain impairment: Biomechanical characteristics and evidence based methods for classification
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Urinary incontinence in young to mid-aged women
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Wendy Brown
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Para-athletes' navigation of environmental barriers to air travel
Associate Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Para sport classification and exercise training responses in people with neuromusculoskeletal impairment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Methods for selecting and optimising competitive freestyle swimming technique for people with cerebral palsy who have high support needs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of performance-focused swimming training on clinical outcomes in young people with cerebral palsy who have high support needs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Development and evaluation of a battery of reciprocal tapping tasks for detecting Intentional Misrepresentation of Abilities in Paralympic Classification
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Towards Evidence-Based Classification for Paralympic Running and Throwing Events
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Emma Beckman directly for media enquiries about:
- disability sport
- Paralympics
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