Dr Sean Tweedy
BHMS, MHMS, PhD (Qld)
- MAIC Research Fellow, Physical Activity & Disability
- Disability Contact Officer
Contact details
Rm 526
Phone: (+61) 7 3365 6638
Fax: (+61) 7 3365 6877
E-mail: seant@hms.uq.edu.au
Background
Sean Tweedy has held the CONROD Research Fellowship in Physical Activity and Disability in the school of Human Movement Studies since 1997. In his role he conducts a teaching, research and community service programme in adapted physical activity. Prior to 1997 Sean worked as an exercise physiologist for the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association (1985-95) and ran the talent identification programme for the Queensland Academy of Sport (1995-97).
He completed his Masters degree part-time (1993-96), investigating the effects of a resistance training intervention on adolescents with cerebral palsy. Sean recently completed his PhD, entitled Promoting physical activity among community-dwelling people with acquired brain injury. He runs the Adapted Physical Activity Program which is a community-based program that assists people with disabilities to become more physically active. To find out more about the program, click here and the download a referral form, click here. Together with Professor Abernethy and others, he established a mobile exercise science laboratory in 2001 (pictured below). The purpose of this facility is to permit data collection and clinical services that are not possible using conventional fixed laboratory facilities. Sean is an internationally accredited classifier in Disability Athletics and has classified at two World Disability Athletics Championships (1994 and 1998) and the last two Paralympic Games (2000 and 2004).
Research Interests
Sean has two primary research interests in the field of physical activity and disability:
Increasing physically active behaviour among people with disabilities : The health benefit of physical activity for the general population is well established and research indicates that the health benefit of physical activity for people with disabilities is likely to be even greater than it is for the general population. However there is very little research that evaluates whether we can successfully encourage people with disabilities who are sedentary to become physically active. Evaluating the efficacy of interventions that aim to promote adoption and maintenance of physical activity among people with disabilities, particularly those in post-acute rehabilitation, is a principal area of interest for Sean. This line of research is one of many that is greatly enhanced by access to the mobile exercise science laboratory.
Development and evaluation of classification systems in disability sport : The purpose of classification is to facilitate fair competition among athletes with disabilities by minimising the influence of impairment on the outcome of events (i.e., to ensure an athlete is not precluded from success simply because they are more disabled other competitors). Systems of classification that are scientifically and taxonomically sound are critical for all levels of disability sport, encouraging participation among novices and ensuring the integrity of competition at the elite level. Sean is currently conducting a research project in this area that is funded by the Australian Sports Commission.
Selected Publications
For a list of Sean's publications and research projects, please refer to the UQreSEARCHers website.
Awards
Nov '05 to Jan '06 - Erasmus Mundus Visiting Scholar in Adapted Physical Activity.
Awarded by Erasmus Mundus Consortium universities in Adapted Physical Activity - Katholieke Universitiete Leuven ( Belgium), University of Limerick ( Ireland ), Palacky University ( Czeck Republic ) and The Norwegian School of Sports Science.
2004 - Research Award from Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport for the paper:
Tweedy, S.M. (2003). Biomechanical consequences of impairment: a taxonomically valid basis for classification in a unified disability athletics system. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 74(1), 9-16.
Research Students
Current research higher degree student topics under Sean's supervision are also available through the UQreSEARCHers website.
Master of Philosophy (Principal)
- Emma Beckman
- Kelly Clanchy
Mobile Exercise Science Laboratory
