# Sean Tweedy

**Source**: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/225
**Parent**: https://about.uq.edu.au/faculties-institutes/hmbs/schools-institutes-centres/qcops/initiatives

Professor

# Sean Tweedy

Email:
:   [s.tweedy@uq.edu.au](mailto:s.tweedy@uq.edu.au)

Phone:
:   [+61 7 336 56638](tel:+61 7 336 56638)

## Positions

Associate Member of Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing
:   Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing
:   Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences

Chair in Physical Activity and Disability
:   School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences
:   Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences

Affiliate of Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation
:   Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation
:   Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences

## Overview

### Background

Professor Sean Tweedy leads the *Para Sport and Adapted Physical Activity Research Group* in the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland. Through his applied research program he aims to generate the knowledge required to empower people with disabilities to pursue self-directed goals through safe, effective engagement in sport and physical activity. Sean’s research addresses three main areas of need:

- People with disabilities are among the most inactive people in society and consequently have a disproportionately high incidence of preventable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes mellitus. ***Sean’s research program aims to develop evaluate and translate evidence-based methods for increasing physically active behaviour among community dwelling adults with disabilities***.
- Para athletes have impairments which adversely affect sports performance, but the extent to which performance is affected varies greatly with some athletes having impairments that cause severe disadvantage in sport and others that cause relatively minor disadvantage. To ensure that competition is fair and that athletes who succeed are not simply those that have less severe impairments, Para athletes compete in classes, each comprising athletes who have impairments that cause a similar amount of disadvantage in sport. Methods for allocating class are not well established and ***Sean is Principal Investigator for the International Paralympic Committee’s Classification Research and Development Centre (physical impairments) which aims to develop best practice and evidence-based methods for allocating athletes to classes***;
- In Australia, the right of people with disability to participate in sport and recreation is protected but only if the accommodations they require - equipment and/or expertise - are deemed to be "reasonable”. Unfortunately people with severe disabilities and high support needs often require equipment and/or expertise which cannot reasonably be expected of community sport and recreation providers. ***Sean’s research program aims to develop, evaluate and translate methods for safe, effective engagement in physically demanding, competitive sport for people with severe disabilities and high support needs***. ParaSTART is his flagship program in this area - https://habs.uq.edu.au/parastart

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### Availability

Professor Sean Tweedy is:
:   Available for supervision
:   Media expert

### Fields of research

[Health Sciences](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4759)
[Sports science and exercise](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4986)

### Qualifications

- Bachelor of Human Movement Science, The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

### Research impacts

Professor Tweedy developed the Adapted Physical Activity Program (APAP), a theory-driven physical activity promotion program for community dwelling people disabilities. A controlled clinical trial demonstrated its efficacy in people with acquired brain injury, providing impetus for its implementation into the Acquired Brain Injury-Transitional Rehabilitation Service, Queensland’s primary rehabilitation service for people with brain injury. APAP also runs on a cost recovery basis from UQ and each year more than 100 community dwelling adults with a wide range of disabilities are referred. To refer a client visit - https://hmns.uq.edu.au/apap/.

Our research group developed the Maximum Allowable Standing Height (MASH) rule for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) which is the international standard used to ensure the prosthetics used by bilateral lower limb amputees are anatomically proportional. In 2019 Mr Blake Leeper (USA), a bilateral transtibial amputee and elite 400 m sprinter**,** applied to World Athletics (WA, Previously IAAF)to run at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games (i.e., against non-disabled runners). In support of his application Mr Leeper provided a scientific report which claimed to show that his prosthetics did not provide him with a competitive advantage. Our group were engaged by WA to evaluate the scientific merit of Mr Leeper's application. We assessed Mr Leepers report and a range of other scientific evidence and advised WA that, on the balance of probabilities, Mr Leepers prosthetics did confer an advantage his application should be rejected. Mr Leeper contested the decision but on 26.10.21 the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in support of our assessment (CAS2020/A/6807). In December 2020 Mr Leeper challenged the CAS decision on the grounds that the scientific evidence provided by our group was racially discriminatory. However, on 11.6.21, CAS once again ruled in our favour and found our methods were not racially discriminatory (decision announced, grounds pending).

Sean is first author on the IPC Position Stand – Background and Scientific Principles of Classification in disability sport which is among the most highly cited scientific papers in the field (263 citations) and which has also been incorporated verbatim into the IPC Handbook (Chapter 4.4), the common repository for all guiding documents for the Paralympic movement

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## Works

[Search Professor Sean Tweedy’s works on UQ eSpace](http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/list/author_id/406)

[All
(130)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/225/all)
[Journal Article
(85)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/225/4748)
[Other Outputs
(3)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/225/4749)
[Conference Publication
(31)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/225/4751)
[Book Chapter
(11)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/225/4752)

Featured

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

[Competitive sport, therapy, and physical education: voices of young people with cerebral palsy who have high support needs](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:e7d8ba3)

Featured

2018

Journal Article

##### The adapted physical activity program: A theory-driven, evidence-based physical activity intervention for people with brain impairment

Clanchy, Kelly M., Tweedy, Sean M. and Trost, Stewart G. (2018). The adapted physical activity program: A theory-driven, evidence-based physical activity intervention for people with brain impairment. Brain Impairment, 20 (01), 81-95. doi: 10.1017/BrImp.2018.16

[The adapted physical activity program: A theory-driven, evidence-based physical activity intervention for people with brain impairment](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:2d468b1)

Featured

2017

Journal Article

##### Cluster analysis of novel isometric strength measures produces a valid and evidence-based classification structure for wheelchair track racing

Connick, Mark J, Beckman, Emma, Vanlandewijck, Yves, Malone, Laurie A, Blomqvist, Sven and Tweedy, Sean M (2017). Cluster analysis of novel isometric strength measures produces a valid and evidence-based classification structure for wheelchair track racing. British journal of sports medicine, 52 (17), bjsports-2017. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-097558

[Cluster analysis of novel isometric strength measures produces a valid and evidence-based classification structure for wheelchair track racing](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:698303)

Featured

2016

Journal Article

##### Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) position statement on exercise and spinal cord injury

Tweedy, Sean M., Emma Beckman, Tim Geraghty, Daniel Theisen, Claudio Perret, Lisa A Harvey and Yves C Vanlandewijck (2016). Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) position statement on exercise and spinal cord injury. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20 (2), 108-115. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2016.02.001

[Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) position statement on exercise and spinal cord injury](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:385083)

Featured

2011

Journal Article

##### International Paralympic Committee position stand-background and scientific principles of classification in Paralympic sport

Tweedy, S. M. and Vanlandewijck, Y. C. (2011). International Paralympic Committee position stand-background and scientific principles of classification in Paralympic sport. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 45 (4), 259-269. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2009.065060

[International Paralympic Committee position stand-background and scientific principles of classification in Paralympic sport](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:187823)

2025

Journal Article

##### An analysis of people with disabilities in Australia by age, sex, disability type and severity – Implications for leveraging the 2032 Paralympic games to increase physical activity participation

Tweedy, Sean, Fortnum, Kathryn, Thomas, George, Cole, Damien, Demetriou, Bridget, Dutia, Iain, Hill, Jessica, Cairney, John and Beckman, Emma (2025). An analysis of people with disabilities in Australia by age, sex, disability type and severity – Implications for leveraging the 2032 Paralympic games to increase physical activity participation. JSAMS Plus, 6 100110, 100110. doi: 10.1016/j.jsampl.2025.100110

[An analysis of people with disabilities in Australia by age, sex, disability type and severity – Implications for leveraging the 2032 Paralympic games to increase physical activity participation](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:a541927)

2025

Journal Article

##### Support needs assessment tool for people with disability wanting to participate in sport and exercise (SNAT-SE): Usability and acceptability testing

Hill, Jessica, Clanchy, Kelly, Trost, Stewart, Fleming, Jennifer, Beckman, Emma, Tweedy, Sean, Dutia, Iain and Gomersall, Sjaan (2025). Support needs assessment tool for people with disability wanting to participate in sport and exercise (SNAT-SE): Usability and acceptability testing. JSAMS Plus, 6 100111, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jsampl.2025.100111

[Support needs assessment tool for people with disability wanting to participate in sport and exercise (SNAT-SE): Usability and acceptability testing](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:5f8dc78)

2025

Journal Article

##### Mild traumatic brain injury and concussion and persisting post‐concussion symptoms: new guidelines to support evidence‐based assessment and management in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand

Barlow, Karen M., Ponsford, Jennie L., Theodom, Alice, Cowen, Gill, Davis, Gavin A., Anderson, Vicki, Babl, Franz E., Cole, David, Cullen, Jennifer, Dalziel, Stuart R., Fitzgerald, Melinda, Flavell, Howard, Yates, Caroline, Kimble, Rebecca, Olver, John H., Orr, Rhonda, Ralfe, Mark, Rose, Michael, Rushworth, Nick, Treleaven, Julia, Browne, Gary, Delang, Nathan, Harris, Sarah, Mitchell, Gary and Tweedy, Sean (2025). Mild traumatic brain injury and concussion and persisting post‐concussion symptoms: new guidelines to support evidence‐based assessment and management in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Medical Journal of Australia, 223 (9), 446-449. doi: 10.5694/mja2.70082

[Mild traumatic brain injury and concussion and persisting post‐concussion symptoms: new guidelines to support evidence‐based assessment and management in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:da8c13a)

2025

Journal Article

##### A Physical Activity Clinical Practice Guideline for People With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Hassett, Leanne, Johnson, Liam, Williams, Gavin, Ashpole, Rhys, Bauman, Adrian, Carty, Catherine, Chagpar, Sakina, Clanchy, Kelly, Haynes, Abby, Heine, Kate, Munn, Zachary, Okely, Anthony, Rushworth, Nick, Scheinberg, Adam, Sherrington, Catherine, Simpson, Grahame, Tiedemann, Anne, Tweedy, Sean, Vassallo, Gabrielle, Wang, Belinda, West, Kerry, Wolfenden, Luke and the BRIDGES Guideline Development Group members (2025). A Physical Activity Clinical Practice Guideline for People With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Clinical and Public Health Guidelines, 2 (4) e70035. doi: 10.1002/gin2.70035

[A Physical Activity Clinical Practice Guideline for People With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:9bc63ff)

2025

Journal Article

##### Evaluation of an inpatient sports program to guide post-discharge physical activity participation among people with brain and spinal cord injury – a cross-sectional study

Daniel, Hannah, Bray, Emily A., Beckman, Emma M., Smith, Kathryn, Kendall, Melissa, Tweedy, Sean, Geraghty, Timothy, Richardson, James, Verner-Wren, Glenn, Tonks, Peter, Peach, Jai and Gane, Elise (2025). Evaluation of an inpatient sports program to guide post-discharge physical activity participation among people with brain and spinal cord injury – a cross-sectional study. Disability and Rehabilitation, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2527354

[Evaluation of an inpatient sports program to guide post-discharge physical activity participation among people with brain and spinal cord injury – a cross-sectional study](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:01d976a)

2025

Journal Article

##### Comparing trajectories of sport participation for autistic- and non-autistic-youth: a group-based multi-trajectory modelling approach

O’Flaherty, Martin, Hill, Jessica, Bourke, Matthew, Gomersall, Sjaan, Tweedy, Sean and Cairney, John (2025). Comparing trajectories of sport participation for autistic- and non-autistic-youth: a group-based multi-trajectory modelling approach. Autism, 29 (10) 13623613251345345, 13623613251345345-2587. doi: 10.1177/13623613251345345

[Comparing trajectories of sport participation for autistic- and non-autistic-youth: a group-based multi-trajectory modelling approach](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:c047880)

2025

Journal Article

##### A systematic review of sample representativeness and homogeneity in exercise trials using group designs for people with cerebral palsy

Tweedy, S.M., Dutia, I.M., Caughey, L., Demetriou, B., Beckman, E.M. and Cairney, J. (2025). A systematic review of sample representativeness and homogeneity in exercise trials using group designs for people with cerebral palsy. JSAMS Plus, 5 100103, 100103. doi: 10.1016/j.jsampl.2025.100103

[A systematic review of sample representativeness and homogeneity in exercise trials using group designs for people with cerebral palsy](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:4d690bf)

2025

Journal Article

##### Community-based physical activity promotion confers broad-spectrum benefits for military veterans with chronic and complex conditions: evidence from 4 years of rehabilitation consultant referrals

Clanchy, Kelly, Hill, J., Fenning, M. and Tweedy, S. (2025). Community-based physical activity promotion confers broad-spectrum benefits for military veterans with chronic and complex conditions: evidence from 4 years of rehabilitation consultant referrals. BMJ Military Health, 171 (2) e002375, 105-109. doi: 10.1136/military-2023-002375

[Community-based physical activity promotion confers broad-spectrum benefits for military veterans with chronic and complex conditions: evidence from 4 years of rehabilitation consultant referrals](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:305ffe0)

2025

Journal Article

##### The long road back to physical activity: the experience of people with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury

Haynes, Abby, Johnson, Liam, Ashpole, Rhys, Mamo, Anthony, Chagpar, Sakina, Williams, Gavin, Clanchy, Kelly, Waters, Nick, Vassallo, Gabby, Scheinberg, Adam, Sherrington, Catherine, Tweedy, Sean, West, Kerry and Hassett, Leanne (2025). The long road back to physical activity: the experience of people with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. Disability and Rehabilitation, 47 (19), 5077-5088. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2459338

[The long road back to physical activity: the experience of people with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:ab0276d)

2024

Conference Publication

##### Development of a support needs assessment tool for people with disability wanting to participate in sport and exercise

Hill, J., Fleming, J., Beckman, E., Tweedy, S., Trost, S., Dutia, I., Clanchy, K. and Gomersall, S. (2024). Development of a support needs assessment tool for people with disability wanting to participate in sport and exercise. 2024 SMA & ACSEP Conference, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 16-19 October 2024. Chatswood, NSW, Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.08.105

[Development of a support needs assessment tool for people with disability wanting to participate in sport and exercise](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:4ad729c)

2024

Journal Article

##### Single case experimental design: a rigorous method for addressing inequity and enhancing precision within Para sport and exercise medicine research

Tweedy, Sean, Dutia, Iain Mayank, Cairney, John and Beckman, Emma (2024). Single case experimental design: a rigorous method for addressing inequity and enhancing precision within Para sport and exercise medicine research. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 58 (21) 108587, 1242-1243. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-108587

[Single case experimental design: a rigorous method for addressing inequity and enhancing precision within Para sport and exercise medicine research](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:d9d18b0)

2024

Journal Article

##### The influence of water and air temperature on elite wheelchair triathlon performance

Borg, David N., Gibson, Alexander D., Bach, Aaron J.E., Beckman, Emma M., Tweedy, Sean M. and Stewart, Ian B. (2024). The influence of water and air temperature on elite wheelchair triathlon performance. Temperature, 11 (4), 363-372. doi: 10.1080/23328940.2024.2391170

[The influence of water and air temperature on elite wheelchair triathlon performance](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:962ec66)

2024

Journal Article

##### Perceptions and beliefs of community-based fitness professionals working with people with disability: a qualitative study

Hill, Jessica, Gaukroger, Kate, Gomersall, Sjaan, Tweedy, Sean, Gullo, Hannah and Beckman, Emma (2024). Perceptions and beliefs of community-based fitness professionals working with people with disability: a qualitative study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 47 (6), 1-8. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2375062

[Perceptions and beliefs of community-based fitness professionals working with people with disability: a qualitative study](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:2772144)

2024

Journal Article

##### The power of Para sport: the effect of performance-focused swimming training on motor function in adolescents with cerebral palsy and high support needs (GMFCS IV) – a single-case experimental design with 30-month follow-up

Dutia, Iain Mayank, Connick, Mark, Beckman, Emma, Johnston, Leanne, Wilson, Paula, Macaro, Angelo, O'Sullivan, Jennifer and Tweedy, Sean (2024). The power of Para sport: the effect of performance-focused swimming training on motor function in adolescents with cerebral palsy and high support needs (GMFCS IV) – a single-case experimental design with 30-month follow-up. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 58 (14) bjsports-2023-107689, 777-784. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107689

[The power of Para sport: the effect of performance-focused swimming training on motor function in adolescents with cerebral palsy and high support needs (GMFCS IV) – a single-case experimental design with 30-month follow-up](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:55568c7)

2024

Journal Article

##### Physical exercise training to increase cardiorespiratory fitness in people with spinal cord injury (protocol)

Ilha, Jocemar, Glinsky, Joanne V, Chu, Jackie, Bye, Elizabeth A, Tweedy, Sean and Harvey, Lisa A (2024). Physical exercise training to increase cardiorespiratory fitness in people with spinal cord injury (protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2024 (2) CD014476. doi: 10.1002/14651858.cd014476

[Physical exercise training to increase cardiorespiratory fitness in people with spinal cord injury (protocol)](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:95c772a)

## Funding

### Current funding

- 2024 - 2027

  AI-Empowered and Video-Based uplift of Paralympic classification systems (AQIRP project administered by Follow Me AI)

  Follow Me AI Pty Ltd

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/66298)
- 2024 - 2029

  Implementation of the Australian Physical Activity Clinical Practice Guideline for people with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (an MRFF TBI grant administered by University of Sydney)

  University of Sydney

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/66369)
- 2024 - 2027

  Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a consumer co-designed exercise program in paediatric survivors of sarcoma

  World Cancer Research Fund International

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/63045)
- 2023 - 2027

  Implementation and scale-up of a consumer co-designed physical activity promotion program for people with moderate-to-profound disabilities

  NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Effective Treatments and Therapies

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/58317)

### Past funding

- 2024

  The safety, feasibility and acceptability of a performance focused sports training program for previously able-bodied athletes with recently acquired spinal cord injuries

  Queensland Academy of Sport

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/64651)
- 2022 - 2025

  Transforming the World Para Swimming Classification System with sEMG.

  Manchester Metropolitan University

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/64530)
- 2021 - 2023

  From injury to long-term physical activity for people living with traumatic brain injury (MRFF Traumatic Brain Injury Mission Grant administered by University of Sydney)

  University of Sydney

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/51767)
- 2018 - 2020

  Classification in wheelchair tennis

  Loughborough University

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/38306)
- 2018 - 2020

  Classification of runners with hypertonia, axtaxia or athetosis - improving the current system and evaluation of new methods

  International Paralympic Committee

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/35274)
- 2017 - 2018

  Towards evidence-based classification for sprinters with neurological impairment in World Para Athletics

  Exercise and Sports Science Australia Ltd

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/33086)
- 2017 - 2020

  Evaluating the effects of a performance-focused swimming training program on health, fitness, and functioning in people with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy

  Research Donation Generic

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/31053)
- 2015 - 2018

  Does a high-volume, performance-focused swimming program elicit meaningful, therapeutic change in people with cerebral palsy? A proof-of-concept study

  Swimming Australia Limited

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/26876)
- 2015 - 2022

  A longitudinal intervention study evaluating physical and psychosocial responses to performance focused sports training for people with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy

  Queensland Academy of Sport

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/26192)
- 2015 - 2020

  Does a high-volume, performance-focused swimming program elicit meaningful, therapeutic change in people with cerebral palsy? A proof-of-concept study

  Australian Paralympic Committee

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/26483)
- 2014 - 2018

  Evaluation of training responses of patients following megaprosthesis bone replacement surgery

  Queensland Orthopaedic Research Trust

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/23368)
- 2014 - 2015

  Improving reliability and validity of current classification methods in classes FT5-FT8 and t35-T38

  The Agitos Foundation

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/26203)
- 2013 - 2021

  IPC Classification Research and Development Centre

  International Paralympic Committee

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/20501)
- 2013 - 2014

  Evaluation of the impact of neuromusculoskeletal impairment on running performance in Kenyan Athletes

  International Paralympic Committee

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/20714)
- 2012

  An instrumented treadmill for understanding the forces responsible for walking and running under different conditions in both normal and clinical populations.

  UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/14249)
- 2010 - 2011

  Towards Evidence-based classification in Paralympic Athletics: Methods for assessing level of training and intentional misrepresentation of abilities in Paralympic athletes

  UQ FirstLink Scheme

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/12144)
- 2009 - 2015

  Longitudinal growth, nutrition and physical activity in young children with Cerebral Palsy

  NHMRC Project Grant

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/10428)
- 2007

  Evaluating the impact of neuromusculoskeletal impairment on the execution of athletic skills

  UQ FirstLink Scheme

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/19716)
- 2003 - 2004

  Development and Evaluation of a Unified Classification System disability athletics (running, wheelchair racing, throws and jumps)

  Australian Sports Commission

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/6324)
- 2003

  Mobile Exercise Science Laboratory

  Australian Sports Commission

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/6272)
- 2001

  Reliability of a community based protocol for measurement of oxygen cost of locomotion in people with acquired brain injury (ABI)

  GF Finch Bequest

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/4835)
- 2001

  The efficacy of a community based physical activity intervention in improving the health of people with acquired brain injury

  Princess Alexandra Hospital R&D Foundation

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/4905)
- 1997 - 2019

  Motor Accident Insurance Commission Queensland Teaching and Community Service Rehabilitation Research Fellowship in Physical Activity and Disability

  Motor Accident Insurance Commission

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/2610)

View all 23 past funded projects
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## Supervision

### Availability

Professor Sean Tweedy is:
:   Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on [how to choose a supervisor](https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/how-to-choose-a-supervisor).

### Available projects

- #### Does a high-volume, performance-focused swimming program elicit meaningful, therapeutic change in people with cerebral palsy? A proof-of-concept study

  In the general population, the dose-response relationship between exercise volume and relative disease-risk is curvilinear with an inflection at 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week: below this volume (i.e., lower frequency, intensity and/or duration) relative disease-risk increases rapidly; and above this volume, disease-risk continues to decrease, but less rapidly. Importantly, there is no obvious upper threshold. This dose-response relationship is believed to apply to people with cerebral palsy (CP), although research in this population to date has focused almost exclusively on low-volume exercise. The benefits of high-volume exercise have not been investigated and anecdotal evidence indicates that high-volume exercise, such as is undertaken by Paralympic swimmers, elicits clinical outcomes that significantly exceed those conferred by lower volumes. This proof-of-concept study will apply Talent Identification/Talent Development methods from elite sport to identify untrained, people with CP with moderate-to-severe impairments, but with physical and psychological attributes known to be advantageous in competitive swimming. Half of the sample will complete a 12-week, high-volume, performance-focused swimming program. The effect of this exercise dose on participants’ health, fitness and functioning will be compared with the effects of a 12-week intervention aimed at assisting a control-group to accrue 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

  Read more
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### Supervision history

#### Current supervision

- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### an evaluation of the impact of performance focused sports training on clinical outcomes in individuals with high support needs

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Development and Evaluation of Medical Screening and Management Procedures for People with Disabilities and High Support Needs Commencing Competitive Sport

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536), [Dr Jessica Hill](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/29928)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Development and evaluation of a Best Practice Classification Framework for current and prospective Paralympic sports

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536), [Dr Leigh Sperka](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/20212)
- 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.

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Building a systems level, evidence informed approach to increasing sport and physical activity among people with a disability

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Georgina Clutterbuck](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/9409), [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Human Posture Recognition Applied to Physical Activity

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Xin Yu](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/38367)
- Master Philosophy

  ##### Time cost and fatigue associated with sports participation for athletes with and without severe to profound disability and high support needs, a comparative analysis

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr George Thomas](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/39132), [Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/7683)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Prospective analysis of para swimming- investigating talent identification, talent development and the impact on impairment and performance.

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Implementation and scale-up of ParaSTART, a performance focused sports training and applied research program for people with high support needs disabilities.

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Examining the Efficacy of Attentional Focus Instruction on Typically and Atypically Developing Young Learners Performing a Postural Control Task

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Gregore Iven Mielke](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/17360), [Professor John Cairney](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/25474)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Developing new approaches to pressure injury mitigation for athletes with spinal cord injury

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536), [Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/7683), [Dr Jessica Hill](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/29928)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Understanding and influencing sedentary time in workers with a disability

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Ana Goode](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1757), [Dr Jessica Hill](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/29928), [Professor Genevieve Healy](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/757)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Developing a Motor Assessment Tool that is Feasible for Autistic Children with High Support Needs

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor John Cairney](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/25474), [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Para Sport coach development- a prospective longitudinal study

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Steven Rynne](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1411), [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Neurophysiological measurements in Paralympic Sport Classification

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Timothy Carroll](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1850), [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)

View all 15 current supervisions
View less

#### Completed supervision

- 2022

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Promoting Physical Activity for Community-Dwelling Manual Wheelchair Users with Spinal Cord Injury](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:f5b3517)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Stewart Trost](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/934), [Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/7683)
- 2021

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Para runners with brain impairment: Biomechanical characteristics and evidence based methods for classification](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:289bf22)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- 2021

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Para sport classification and exercise training responses in people with neuromusculoskeletal impairment](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:9d7429c)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- 2020

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Methods for selecting and optimising competitive freestyle swimming technique for people with cerebral palsy who have high support needs](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:64e5a55)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- 2020

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [The effect of performance-focused swimming training on clinical outcomes in young people with cerebral palsy who have high support needs](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:8951f19)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- 2016

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Development and evaluation of a battery of reciprocal tapping tasks for detecting Intentional Misrepresentation of Abilities in Paralympic Classification](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:406175)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- 2015

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Towards Evidence-Based Classification for Paralympic Running and Throwing Events](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:372603)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- 2014

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Promotion of Physical Activity Among Adults with an Acquired Brain Injury](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:327533)

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Stewart Trost](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/934)
- 2011

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Development and Evaluation of Assessment Methods to Permit Evidence-based Classification in Paralympic Athletics](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:242438)

  Principal Advisor
- 2022

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Developing and Evaluating Measures for Detecting Intentional Misrepresentation during Assessments of Isometric Strength](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:15d0d04)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Emma Beckman](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1536)
- 2019

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Physiological and psychological effects of an exercise program on children with chronic pulmonary disease](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:ef0906b)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/7683), [Professor Stewart Trost](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/934)
- 2014

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Pathways and Choices Related to Housing and Support for Younger People with High Care Needs.](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:321112)

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Jennifer Fleming](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/147)
- 2006

  Master Philosophy

  ##### PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CHILDREN WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES: FACTORS INFLUENCING PARTICIPATION AND FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES OF PARTICIPATION

  Associate Advisor

View all 13 completed supervisions
View less

## Media

### Enquiries

Contact Professor Sean Tweedy directly for media enquiries about:

- Careers - exercise science
- Disability and health
- Disability and sport
- Exercise science
- Health and disability
- Human movement studies
- Paralympics
- Physical activity
- Physical activity and disability
- Sport and disability
- Wheelchair sports

#### Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

[communications@uq.edu.au](mailto:communications@uq.edu.au)

## External profiles

- [ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2011-3382)
- [ResearcherID](https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/E-8448-2011)
- [Scopus](https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=6602451500)
- [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user= )

## Personal links

- [Personal profile](http://www.hms.uq.edu.au/our-staff/academic-staff/sean-tweedy,-phd/)
- [School of Human Movement Studies weblink](http://www.hms.uq.edu.au/Sean-Tweedy)

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