
Overview
Background
Professor Kylie Tucker leads a positive research environment, where exceptional basic science and clinical researchers come together to advance knowledge about muscles and movement control. Her work has transformed our understanding of how pain impacts movement; showcased methods for estimating muscle forces; and advanced the assessment of childhood movement control and adolescent skeletal maturity. Recently, Kylie has drawn on her fundamental science knowledge to propose a shift in our understanding of the potential drivers of scoliosis progression. Approximately one child in every Australian classroom, and 3-7% world-wide, will develop adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. There is no known cause, nor strong evidence to determine when or where to target non-invasive treatment. Each year in Queensland >200 adolescents have up to 12 vertebrae fused as conservative treatment has not stopped their curve progression. Her group have identified unique, targetable muscle features, that can be non-invasively detected early in curve progression.
In parallel to her research, Kylie teaches about muscles and movement control across 10 UQ programs, where class size ranges from 70-1400 students. She is the Director of Teaching and Learning for the School of Biomedical Science (2024- ), where she influences teaching outcomes across numerous disciplines. Kylie co-facilitates UQ’s flagship Career Progression for Women program (2024- ), and intentionally fosters a supportive academic culture, empowering academics in their pursuit of excellence, across all her roles. She is also the President of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK); a global organization composed of 375 members in health-related and basic science fields with a common desire to study human movement and the neuromuscular system. Kylie has contributed to the leadership of this society since 2018.
Availability
- Professor Kylie Tucker is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Adelaide
- Bachelor of Science, University of Adelaide
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Adelaide
Works
Search Professor Kylie Tucker’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Asymmetry in the Onset of Paraspinal Muscles Activity Differs in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis Compared With Those With a Symmetrical Spine
Dupuis, Frederique, Ng, Phoebe T.T., Duncombe, Phoebe, van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Izatt, Maree T., Labrom, Robert D. and Tucker, Kylie (2025). Asymmetry in the Onset of Paraspinal Muscles Activity Differs in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis Compared With Those With a Symmetrical Spine. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research 10.1097/CORR.0000000000003364. doi: 10.1097/corr.0000000000003364
2024
Journal Article
Effects of altered contractile environment on muscle shape change in the triceps surae
Kelp, Nicole Y., Tucker, Kylie, Hug, François and Dick, Taylor J. M. (2024). Effects of altered contractile environment on muscle shape change in the triceps surae. Journal of Experimental Biology, 227 (23) jeb248118. doi: 10.1242/jeb.248118
2024
Journal Article
I-Spin live, an open-source software based on blind-source separation for real-time decoding of motor unit activity in humans
Rossato, Julien, Hug, François, Tucker, Kylie, Gibbs, Ciara, Lacourpaille, Lilian, Farina, Dario and Avrillon, Simon (2024). I-Spin live, an open-source software based on blind-source separation for real-time decoding of motor unit activity in humans. eLife, 12 RP88670. doi: 10.7554/eLife.88670
2024
Journal Article
Development of a novel technique to insert intramuscular electromyography electrodes into the deep intrinsic foot muscles via the dorsum of the foot
Collins, Natalie J., Salomoni, Sauro E., Elgueta Cancino, Edith L., Tucker, Kylie and Hodges, Paul W. (2024). Development of a novel technique to insert intramuscular electromyography electrodes into the deep intrinsic foot muscles via the dorsum of the foot. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 78 102914, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102914
2024
Journal Article
Shear modulus of lower limb muscles in school-aged children with mild hypotonia
Goo, Miran, Johnston, Leanne M. and Tucker, Kylie (2024). Shear modulus of lower limb muscles in school-aged children with mild hypotonia. Journal of Biomechanics, 174 112267, 112267. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112267
2024
Journal Article
Using B-mode ultrasound to evaluate Risser grading for the determination of skeletal maturity in adolescents
Duncombe, P., Ng, P. T. T., Izatt, M. T., Duncombe, G. and Tucker, K. (2024). Using B-mode ultrasound to evaluate Risser grading for the determination of skeletal maturity in adolescents. Radiography, 30 (5), 1297-1305. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.07.001
2024
Journal Article
Achieving maximal voluntary contraction of paraspinal muscles requires two tasks: Insight from an EMG study of females with and without adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Ng, Phoebe T.T., Duncombe, Phoebe, van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Claus, Andrew, Izatt, Maree T., Pivonka, Peter, Labrom, Robert D. and Tucker, Kylie (2024). Achieving maximal voluntary contraction of paraspinal muscles requires two tasks: Insight from an EMG study of females with and without adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Journal of Biomechanics, 173 112251, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112251
2024
Journal Article
The volitional control of individual motor units is constrained within low-dimensional neural manifolds by common inputs
Rossato, Julien, Avrillon, Simon, Tucker, Kylie, Farina, Dario and Hug, François (2024). The volitional control of individual motor units is constrained within low-dimensional neural manifolds by common inputs. The Journal of Neuroscience, 44 (34) e0702242024, 1-11. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.0702-24.2024
2024
Journal Article
Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: Checklist for reporting and critically appraising studies using EMG (CEDE-Check)
Besomi, Manuela, Devecchi, Valter, Falla, Deborah, McGill, Kevin, Kiernan, Matthew C., Merletti, Roberto, van Dieën, Jaap H., Tucker, Kylie, Clancy, Edward A., Søgaard, Karen, Hug, François, Carson, Richard G., Perreault, Eric, Gandevia, Simon, Besier, Thor, Rothwell, John C., Enoka, Roger M., Holobar, Aleš, Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Wrigley, Tim, Lowery, Madeleine, Farina, Dario and Hodges, Paul W. (2024). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: Checklist for reporting and critically appraising studies using EMG (CEDE-Check). Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 76 102874, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102874
2024
Journal Article
Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: application of EMG to estimate muscle force
Dick, Taylor J. M., Tucker, Kylie, Hug, François, Besomi, Manuela, van Dieën, Jaap H., Enoka, Roger M., Besier, Thor, Carson, Richard G., Clancy, Edward A., Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Falla, Deborah, Farina, Dario, Gandevia, Simon, Holobar, Aleš, Kiernan, Matthew C., Lowery, Madeleine, McGill, Kevin, Merletti, Roberto, Perreault, Eric, Rothwell, John C., Søgaard, Karen, Wrigley, Tim and Hodges, Paul W. (2024). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: application of EMG to estimate muscle force. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 79 102910, 102910. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102910
2024
Journal Article
Comparison of physiological and behavioural nutrition-related factors in people with and without adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, from cohort data at 8 to 20 years
Ng, Phoebe T.T., Tucker, Kylie, Zahir, Farah, Izatt, Maree T., Straker, Leon and Claus, Andrew (2024). Comparison of physiological and behavioural nutrition-related factors in people with and without adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, from cohort data at 8 to 20 years. JBMR Plus, 8 (3) ziad013, ziad013. doi: 10.1093/jbmrpl/ziad013
2023
Journal Article
Response to letter to editor: The association between hip strength, physical function and dynamic balance in people with unilateral knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study
Hislop, Andrew, Collins, Natalie J., Tucker, Kylie and Semciw, Adam Ivan (2023). Response to letter to editor: The association between hip strength, physical function and dynamic balance in people with unilateral knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 68 102875, 102875. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102875
2023
Journal Article
Quantifying muscle size asymmetry in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging
Duncombe, Phoebe, Izatt, Maree T., Pivonka, Peter, Claus, Andrew, Little, J. Paige and Tucker, Kylie (2023). Quantifying muscle size asymmetry in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging. Spine, 48 (24), 1717-1725. doi: 10.1097/brs.0000000000004715
2023
Journal Article
Neuromechanical properties of the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis in adolescents with patellofemoral pain
Crouzier, Marion, Hug, François, Sheehan, Frances T., Collins, Natalie J., Crossley, Kay and Tucker, Kylie (2023). Neuromechanical properties of the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis in adolescents with patellofemoral pain. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 11 (6), 23259671231155894. doi: 10.1177/23259671231155894
2023
Journal Article
Influence of internal muscle properties on muscle shape change and gearing in the human gastrocnemii
Kelp, Nicole Y., Clemente, Christofer J., Tucker, Kylie, Hug, François, Pinel, Sabrina and Dick, Taylor J.M. (2023). Influence of internal muscle properties on muscle shape change and gearing in the human gastrocnemii. Journal of Applied Physiology, 134 (6), 1520-1529. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00080.2023
2023
Journal Article
Advancing use of DEXA scans to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate lateral spinal curves, for preliminary identification of adolescent idiopathic ccoliosis
Ng, P. T.T., Straker, L., Tucker, K., Izatt, M. T. and Claus, A. (2023). Advancing use of DEXA scans to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate lateral spinal curves, for preliminary identification of adolescent idiopathic ccoliosis. Calcified Tissue International, 112 (6), 656-665. doi: 10.1007/s00223-023-01075-2
2023
Journal Article
The association between hip strength, physical function and dynamic balance in people with unilateral knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study
Hislop, Andrew, Collins, Natalie, Tucker, Kylie and Semciw, Adam Ivan (2023). The association between hip strength, physical function and dynamic balance in people with unilateral knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 63 102696, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102696
2023
Journal Article
Reproducibility of hypermobility assessment scales for children when performed using telehealth versus in-person modes
Hornsby, Elizabeth A., Tucker, Kylie and Johnston, Leanne M. (2023). Reproducibility of hypermobility assessment scales for children when performed using telehealth versus in-person modes. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 43 (4), 446-462. doi: 10.1080/01942638.2022.2151393
2023
Journal Article
Comparison of a wearable accelerometer/gyroscopic, portable gait analysis system (LEGSYS+TM) to the laboratory standard of static motion capture camera analysis
Homes, Ryan, Clark, Devon, Moridzadeh, Sina, Tosovic, Danijel, Van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Tucker, Kylie and Midwinter, Mark (2023). Comparison of a wearable accelerometer/gyroscopic, portable gait analysis system (LEGSYS+TM) to the laboratory standard of static motion capture camera analysis. Sensors, 23 (1) 537, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/s23010537
2022
Conference Publication
Hip strength and dynamic balance are lower in people with unilateral knee osteoarthritis compared to their non-affected limb and healthy controls: a cross-sectional study
Hislop, A., Collins, N., Tucker, K. and Semciw, A. (2022). Hip strength and dynamic balance are lower in people with unilateral knee osteoarthritis compared to their non-affected limb and healthy controls: a cross-sectional study. 2022 SMA Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 16-19 November 2022. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2022.09.057
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Kylie Tucker is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Quantifying Muscle (A)symmetry in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Taylor Dick
-
Doctor Philosophy
Insights into the anticipatory and compensatory postural control of children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Wolbert van den Hoorn, Associate Professor Taylor Dick
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the neurophysiological effects of vibrotexture shoe insoles to inform balance rehabilitation in adults with foot sensory loss.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anna Hatton
-
Doctor Philosophy
Can Minimal Footwear Alter Patellofemoral Joint Loading, Lower-Limb Muscle Activation and Biomechanics During Walking in Individuals with Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Taylor Dick, Associate Professor Natalie Collins
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Insights into Health Profile and Paraspinal Muscle Activation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andrew Claus
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Muscle tone: assessment and functional implications for children
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Movement variability and pain: Searching for a solution
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges, Professor Bill Vicenzino
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Insights into the mechanisms that underlie neuromuscular adaptation to pain using postural and volitional focused motor tasks
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Neuromechanical Determinants of Muscle Shape Change and Gearing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Taylor Dick
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Hip muscle structure and function in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Natalie Collins
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Insights into the Assessment and Management of Children with Generalised Joint Hypermobility and Secondary Musculoskeletal Pain
Associate Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Postural control in children with cerebral palsy: a comprehensive definition, framework and reproducible assessment.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andrew Claus
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
The refinement and validity evaluation of a 2-Dimensional motion capture method to quantify lumbo-pelvic-hip complex motion in chronic low back pain.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges, Professor Trevor Russell, Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Kylie Tucker directly for media enquiries about:
- Acute pain
- Motor control
- movement control
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