Overview
Background
Professor John Cairney is the Head of School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences. He is an academic leader in the field of paediatric exercise medicine and child health research and is particularly well-known for his work on developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and its impact on the health and well-being of children. Prof John Cairney started at UQ in January 2020.
Until the end of 2019, he was the Director of Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto and Director of the Infant and Child Health (INCH) Research Laboratory at both the University of Toronto and McMaster University. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Public Health Sciences and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University and a core scientist with the Offord Centre for Child Studies, CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research at McMaster University, and the independent Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences.
Professor Cairney completed his PhD studies at the University of Western Ontario and has held academic appointments at Brock University, the University of Toronto and McMaster University before his current UQ role. He has held, among other research leadership positions, a Canada Research Chair in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and a Professorship in Child Health, and subsequently a Research Chair, in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University.
Professor Cairney has been the recipient of ~$A17 million in research grants as a principal investigator and has some 310 published works with a Scopus h index of 51 (Aug 2022).
Professor Cairney is a former President of the North American Society of Pediatric Exercise Medicine.
Availability
- Professor John Cairney is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Research interests
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Physical activity and health
Professor Cairney's broad interest is in the association between physical activity and health (physical and mental), with a specific interest in the role that physical activity plays in the health and quality of life of children with chronic disease.
Research impacts
From 2012-2015, Professor John Cairney co-led the evaluation of the multi-ministerial Children’s Mental Health Strategy in Canada, and since 2013 he has been the Scientific Lead of the screening arm of the Special Needs Strategy for Children in Ontario. These roles have allowed him to influence policy development in Ontario.
Works
Search Professor John Cairney’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
A conceptual model of an effective early childhood physical literacy pedagogue
Barratt, Jaime, Dudley, Dean, Stylianou, Michalis and Cairney, John (2024). A conceptual model of an effective early childhood physical literacy pedagogue. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 22 (3), 381-394. doi: 10.1177/1476718x231219580
2023
Other Outputs
Design of the Athletics Australia First Nations Community Impact Framework
Wheeler, Kai, Hall, Emily, Griffiths, Kealey, Boyd-Ford, Stella, Carle, Maleah, Richard, Veronique, Beckman, Emma and Cairney, John (2023). Design of the Athletics Australia First Nations Community Impact Framework. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2023
Journal Article
Cumulative prenatal risk factors and developmental coordination disorder in young children
Babij, Stephanie, James, Maeghan E., Veldhuizen, Scott, Rodriguez, Christine, Price, David, Kwan, Matthew and Cairney, John (2023). Cumulative prenatal risk factors and developmental coordination disorder in young children. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 28 (2), 267-273. doi: 10.1007/s10995-023-03804-3
2023
Journal Article
The golden ratio in baseball: the influence of historical eras on winning percentages in major league baseball
Cairney, John, Townsend, Stephen, Brown, Denver M. Y., Graham, Jeffrey D., Richard, Veronique and Kwan, Matthew Y. W. (2023). The golden ratio in baseball: the influence of historical eras on winning percentages in major league baseball. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5 1273327, 1-9. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1273327
2023
Journal Article
Reliability of field‐ and laboratory‐based assessments of health‐related fitness in preschool‐aged children
King‐Dowling, Sara, Fortnum, Kathryn, Chirico, Daniele, Le, Tuyen, Kwan, Matthew Y. W., Timmons, Brian W. and Cairney, John (2023). Reliability of field‐ and laboratory‐based assessments of health‐related fitness in preschool‐aged children. American Journal of Human Biology, 36 (2) e23987, 1-11. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.23987
2023
Journal Article
Sport participation, extracurricular activity involvement, and psychological distress: a latent class analysis of canadian high school student-athletes
Sabourin, Camille, Turgeon, Stéphanie, Martin, Laura, Rathwell, Scott, Bruner, Mark, Cairney, John and Camiré, Martin (2023). Sport participation, extracurricular activity involvement, and psychological distress: a latent class analysis of canadian high school student-athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 17 (3), 327-345. doi: 10.1123/jcsp.2021-0101
2023
Journal Article
Bi-directional associations between physical activity and growth indicators of pre-school aged children
Amaral de Andrade Leão, Otávio, Flores, Thaynã Ramos, Barratt, Jaime, Bertoldi, Andréa Dâmaso, Domingues, Marlos Rodrigues, Cairney, John, Ekelund, Ulf, Crochemore-Silva, Inácio, Mielke, Gregore Iven and Hallal, Pedro Curi (2023). Bi-directional associations between physical activity and growth indicators of pre-school aged children. Journal of Sports Sciences, 41 (8), 766-773. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2023.2240167
2023
Journal Article
Towards the development of a quality youth sport experience measure: understanding participant and stakeholder perspectives
Brown, Denver M. Y., Cairney, John, Azimi, Sina, Vandenborn, Elizabeth, Bruner, Mark W., Tamminen, Katherine A. and Kwan, Matthew Y. W. (2023). Towards the development of a quality youth sport experience measure: understanding participant and stakeholder perspectives. PloS one, 18 (7) e0287387, 1-17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287387
2023
Journal Article
Physical activity trajectories in early childhood: investigating personal, environmental, and participation factors
McPhee, Patrick G., Di Cristofaro, Natascja A., Caldwell, Hilary A. T., Proudfoot, Nicole A., King-Dowling, Sara, MacDonald, Maureen J., Cairney, John, Bray, Steven R. and Timmons, Brian W. (2023). Physical activity trajectories in early childhood: investigating personal, environmental, and participation factors. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 55 (7), 1232-1240. doi: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003146
2023
Journal Article
A cross-sectional study of Canadian children's valuation of literacies across social contexts
Bremer, Emily, Jefferies, Philip, Cairney, John and Kriellaars, Dean (2023). A cross-sectional study of Canadian children's valuation of literacies across social contexts. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5 1125072, 1-6. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1125072
2023
Journal Article
Development, explanation, and presentation of the Physical Literacy Interventions Reporting Template (PLIRT)
Carl, Johannes, Barratt, Jaime, Arbour-Nicitopoulos, Kelly P., Barnett, Lisa M., Dudley, Dean A., Holler, Peter, Keegan, Richard, Kwan, Matthew, Scurati, Raffaele, Sum, Raymond Kim-Wai, Wainwright, Nalda and Cairney, John (2023). Development, explanation, and presentation of the Physical Literacy Interventions Reporting Template (PLIRT). International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 20 (1) 21, 1-15. doi: 10.1186/s12966-023-01423-3
2023
Journal Article
Stability of M-ABC-2-measured motor functioning in early childhood: evidence from a large prospective cohort
Veldhuizen, Scott, Bedard, Chloe, King-Dowling, Sara, Barratt, Jaime, Kwan, Matthew and Cairney, John (2023). Stability of M-ABC-2-measured motor functioning in early childhood: evidence from a large prospective cohort. Human Movement Science, 87 103037, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2022.103037
2023
Journal Article
Development of ELIP to assess physical literacy for emerging adults: a methodological and epistemological challenge
Gandrieau, J., Schnitzler, C., Cairney, J., Keegan, R., Roberts, W. M., Barnett, L. M., Bentsen, P., Dudley, D. A., Raymond Sum, K. W., Venetsanou, F., Button, C., Turcotte, S., Berrigan, F., Cloes, M., Rudd, J.R., Riga, V., Mouton, A., Vašíčková, J., Blanchard, J., Mekkaoui, L., Derigny, T., Franck, N., Repond, R-M., Markovič, M., Scheuer, C. and Potdevin, F. (2023). Development of ELIP to assess physical literacy for emerging adults: a methodological and epistemological challenge. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 94 (4), 1169-1182. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2022.2125927
2023
Journal Article
Holding open spaces to explore beyond: Toward a different conceptualization of specialization in high-performance sport
Richard, Veronique, Cairney, John and Woods, Carl T. (2023). Holding open spaces to explore beyond: Toward a different conceptualization of specialization in high-performance sport. Frontiers in Psychology, 14 1089264, 1089264. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1089264
2023
Journal Article
Reliability of fitness assessments in children with emotional and behavioral difficulties
Almarjawi, Ashley C., Wright, Kemi E., Buist, Brett D., Cairney, John, Ton, Tony T. and Furzer, Bonnie J. (2023). Reliability of fitness assessments in children with emotional and behavioral difficulties. Pediatric Exercise Science, 35 (4), 206-213. doi: 10.1123/pes.2022-0058
2022
Journal Article
How the lack of content validity in the canadian assessment of physical literacy is undermining quality physical education
Dudley, Dean and Cairney, John (2022). How the lack of content validity in the canadian assessment of physical literacy is undermining quality physical education. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 42 (4), 1-8. doi: 10.1123/jtpe.2022-0063
2022
Journal Article
Assessment of professional circus students’ psychological characteristics at four strategic timepoints over the scholastic year: a longitudinal study using the stress process model
Decker, Adam, Richard, Veronique, Cairney, John, Jefferies, Philip, Houser, Natalie, Aubertin, Patrice and Kriellaars, Dean (2022). Assessment of professional circus students’ psychological characteristics at four strategic timepoints over the scholastic year: a longitudinal study using the stress process model. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 37 (4), 249-258. doi: 10.21091/mppa.2022.4036
2022
Journal Article
Theory-based correlates of physical activity among children with developmental coordination disorder: a scoping review
Kwan, Matthew Y. W., Li, Yao-Chuen and Cairney, John (2022). Theory-based correlates of physical activity among children with developmental coordination disorder: a scoping review. Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 9 (4), 105-109. doi: 10.1007/s40474-022-00254-4
2022
Journal Article
Physical literacy predicts the physical activity and sedentary behaviours of youth
Clark, Heather J., Dudley, Dean, Barratt, Jaime and Cairney, John (2022). Physical literacy predicts the physical activity and sedentary behaviours of youth. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 25 (9), 750-754. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2022.04.008
2022
Journal Article
The effectiveness of physical literacy interventions: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Carl, Johannes, Barratt, Jaime, Wanner, Philipp, Töpfer, Clemens, Cairney, John and Pfeifer, Klaus (2022). The effectiveness of physical literacy interventions: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 52 (12), 2965-2999. doi: 10.1007/s40279-022-01738-4
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor John Cairney is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Movement Interventions to improve mental well-being in individuals who have experiences trauma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kai Wheeler
-
Doctor Philosophy
Interventions to increase physical activity in children and youth with Autism
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stewart Trost, Dr Michalis Stylianou, Dr Jessica Hill
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Doctor Philosophy
Examining the Efficacy of Attentional Focus Instruction on Typically and Atypically Developing Young Learners Performing a Postural Control Task
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy, Dr Gregore Iven Mielke
-
Doctor Philosophy
The motor development of preschool children in the digital age
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Development and Evaluation of a Self-Report Instrument to Measure Early Childhood Educators¿ Physical Literacy Capabilities, Knowledge, and Practices
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Michalis Stylianou
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the Cultural Determinants of Physical Literacy in Diverse Communities
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kai Wheeler
-
Doctor Philosophy
Innovating physical literacy in childhood through the co-design of the MobMoves program
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Murray Phillips, Dr Kai Wheeler
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Doctor Philosophy
Co-designing trauma informed practices for Exercise Physiologists working with children
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kai Wheeler
-
Doctor Philosophy
Leisure Activities and Mental Health of Australian Adolescents
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr George Thomas, Associate Professor Asaduzzaman Khan
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Doctor Philosophy
Health literacy of rheumatic heart disease within non-family based care
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kai Wheeler
-
Doctor Philosophy
Developing a Motor Assessment Tool that is Feasible for Autistic Children with High Support Needs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sean Tweedy, Associate Professor Emma Beckman
Media
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