Dr Keane Wheeler is a proud Ngarabal man and Accredited Exercise Scientist (ESSA). Dr Wheeler was the first Indigenous Australian to graduate with a PhD from the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Dr Wheeler was awarded the Accredited Exercise Scientist of the Year Award for 2020 from Exercise and Sport Science Australia.
Dr Wheeler’s research examines how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can co-design programs that engage children in a broad range of child development areas. Dr Wheeler’s research strengths consisted of co-designing movement-based programs, ensuring a trauma informed culturally-responsive approach towards childhood development, such as through the use of Traditional song and dance to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
Dr Wheeler also specialises in biomechanics, sport analytics and performance analysis as well as strength and conditioning research. Dr Wheeler works currently with a range of sporting organisations to implement best-practice sport servicing, testing and athlete management to achieve excellence.
Dr Wheeler has led high performing teams working on education programs that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families through a strength-based and holistic framework. Dr Wheeler has co-designed and provided Indigenous leadership to a range of projects that have catered for the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and through this experience has partnered to deliver diverse governance solutions and educational engagement frameworks.
Dr Wheeler has authored/co-authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications in high impact journals as well as one book that examined the practical use of wearable technology in sport, which was published by Springer.
Dr Wheeler has over 500 citations attributed to his work, with an H-index of 11 and with an i10-index of 11 according to Google Scholar.
Dr Wheeler is also a peer reviewer of several high ranked Sport and Exercise Science journals.
Dr Wheeler has presented extensively at a range of national and international conferences. Dr Wheeler has demonstrated strong capacity in the development, implementation, management and completion of funded research projects in human movement disciplines. Dr Wheeler is leading collaborations for improved health outcomes, in particular for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Dr Wheeler has applied his research widely in human movement science, including innovative studies investigating the biomechanics of human gait specific to sport.
Dr Wheeler has worked extensively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to engage in meaningful learning experiences and activities. Dr Wheeler is skilled at translating his work into training programs and seminars aimed at improving theory and practice of human movement, including culturally responsive physical activity. His work challenges traditional views of child development and has been adopted by sport and exercise scientists working in a range of settings. Dr Wheeler’s innovative work in the Fraser Coast Aboriginal and Torres Strait community included implementing gender specific engagement programs for secondary school students, various homework clubs, and traditional Indigenous games in primary schools led to him being awarded the 2017 NAIDOC Business award from the Fraser Coast community.
Conference Publication: Reflective learning engagement builds career aspirations
Wheeler, K., Lee, J., Willis., C., James, D. and Louth, S. (2020). Reflective learning engagement builds career aspirations. Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) National Conference 2020, Online, 1-3 December 2020.
Other Outputs: Review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success
Wheeler, K. (2020). Review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success . Brisbane, QLD Australia:
May, Tamara, Dudley, Amanda, Charles, James, Kennedy, Kate, Mantilla, Ana, McGillivray, Jane, Wheeler, Keane, Elston, Hope and Rinehart, Nicole J. (2020). Barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents: a mixed studies systematic review. BMC Public Health, 20 (1) 601. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-8355-z
Journal Article: Long-lasting educational engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Where are the Ghundus (children)? A longitudinal study
Louth, Sharon, Wheeler, Keane and Bonner, Joyce (2019). Long-lasting educational engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Where are the Ghundus (children)? A longitudinal study. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 50 (1), 107-115. doi: 10.1017/jie.2019.14
Conference Publication: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education in the regional university: creating viable futures
Chew, B. , Davidson, G. , Wheeler, K. , Fredricks, B. and Sheehan, N. (2016). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education in the regional university: creating viable futures. Regional Futures Conference, Rockhampton, September 2016 .
(2021) Energex
Getting active and feeling good through the Move2Smile with Culture program
(2021) Australian Academy of Science
Co-design of the Move2Smile program with diverse Queensland communities to benefit childhood health and wellbeing
Doctor Philosophy
Innovating physical literacy in early childhood through the co-design of the Move2Smile with Culture program
Master Philosophy
Movement Interventions to improve mental well-being in individuals who have experiences trauma
Doctor Philosophy
Reflective learning engagement builds career aspirations
Wheeler, K., Lee, J., Willis., C., James, D. and Louth, S. (2020). Reflective learning engagement builds career aspirations. Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) National Conference 2020, Online, 1-3 December 2020.
Review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success
Wheeler, K. (2020). Review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success . Brisbane, QLD Australia:
May, Tamara, Dudley, Amanda, Charles, James, Kennedy, Kate, Mantilla, Ana, McGillivray, Jane, Wheeler, Keane, Elston, Hope and Rinehart, Nicole J. (2020). Barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents: a mixed studies systematic review. BMC Public Health, 20 (1) 601. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-8355-z
Louth, Sharon, Wheeler, Keane and Bonner, Joyce (2019). Long-lasting educational engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Where are the Ghundus (children)? A longitudinal study. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 50 (1), 107-115. doi: 10.1017/jie.2019.14
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education in the regional university: creating viable futures
Chew, B. , Davidson, G. , Wheeler, K. , Fredricks, B. and Sheehan, N. (2016). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education in the regional university: creating viable futures. Regional Futures Conference, Rockhampton, September 2016 .
Wearable sensors in sport : a practical guide to usage and implementation
Lee, James, Wheeler, Keane and James, Daniel A. (2019). Wearable sensors in sport : a practical guide to usage and implementation. Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-13-3777-2
May, Tamara, Dudley, Amanda, Charles, James, Kennedy, Kate, Mantilla, Ana, McGillivray, Jane, Wheeler, Keane, Elston, Hope and Rinehart, Nicole J. (2020). Barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents: a mixed studies systematic review. BMC Public Health, 20 (1) 601. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-8355-z
Louth, Sharon, Wheeler, Keane and Bonner, Joyce (2019). Long-lasting educational engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Where are the Ghundus (children)? A longitudinal study. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 50 (1), 107-115. doi: 10.1017/jie.2019.14
Zanetti, Sara, Pumpa, Kate L., Wheeler, Keane W. and Pyne, David B. (2014). Validity of the SenseWear armband to assess energy expenditure during intermittent exercise and recovery in rugby union players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28 (4), 1090-1095. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000243
Effective defensive strategies at the ruck contest in rugby union
Wheeler, Keane, Mills, David, Lyons, Keith and Harrinton, Warrick (2013). Effective defensive strategies at the ruck contest in rugby union. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 8 (3), 481-491. doi: 10.1260/1747-9541.8.3.481
Wheeler, Keane, Kefford, Tamara, Mosler, Andrea, Lebedew, Alexis and Lyons, Keith (2013). The volume of goal shooting during training can predict shoulder soreness in elite female water polo players. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 16 (3), 255-258. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2012.06.006
Attacking strategies that lead to goal scoring opportunities in high level women's football
Mara, Jocelyn K., Wheeler, Keane W. and Lyons, Keith (2012). Attacking strategies that lead to goal scoring opportunities in high level women's football. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 7 (3), 565-577. doi: 10.1260/1747-9541.7.3.565
Ball, Nick, Nolan, Emily and Wheeler, Keane (2011). Anthropometrical, physiological, and tracked power profiles of elite taekwondo athletes 9 weeks before the olympic competition phase. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25 (10), 2752-2763. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31820d9f3f
Rugby union contact skills alter evasive agility performance during attacking ball carries
Wheeler, Keane and Sayers, Mark (2011). Rugby union contact skills alter evasive agility performance during attacking ball carries. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 6 (3), 419-432. doi: 10.1260/1747-9541.6.3.419
Wheeler, Keane W., Wiseman, Rachael and Lyons, Keith (2011). Tactical and technical factors associated with effective ball offloading strategies during the tackle in rugby league. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 11 (2), 392-409. doi: 10.1080/24748668.2011.11868558
Modification of agility running technique in reaction to a defender in rugby union
Wheeler, Keane W. and Sayers, Mark G.L. (2010). Modification of agility running technique in reaction to a defender in rugby union. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 9 (3), 445-451.
Effective attacking strategies in rugby union
Wheeler, Keane W., Askew, Christopher D. and Sayers, Mark G. (2010). Effective attacking strategies in rugby union. European Journal of Sport Science, 10 (4), 237-242. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2010.482595
Lee, J., Willis, C., Parker, J., Wheeler, K. and James, D. (2020). Engaging the disengaged: A literature driven, retrospective reflection, of a successful student centric STEM intervention. Australasian Association for Engineering Education Annual Conference 2020, Online, December 2020 .
Reflective learning engagement builds career aspirations
Wheeler, K., Lee, J., Willis., C., James, D. and Louth, S. (2020). Reflective learning engagement builds career aspirations. Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) National Conference 2020, Online, 1-3 December 2020.
Betts, S., Wheeler, K. and Lee, J. (2020). The use of wearable technology in the evaluation of gait patterns of soldiers during weighted locomotion. Defence Human Sciences Symposium 2020, Online, 7-9 December 2020 .
Louth, S., Wheeler, K., Bonner, J. and Vea Vea, H. (2016). Where are the Ghundus? A retrospective exploration of the long-term impact of and Indigenous educational aspirations program on participants. Australia Association for Research in Education Conference 2016, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 27 November - 1 December 2016.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education in the regional university: creating viable futures
Chew, B. , Davidson, G. , Wheeler, K. , Fredricks, B. and Sheehan, N. (2016). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education in the regional university: creating viable futures. Regional Futures Conference, Rockhampton, September 2016 .
Attacking effectiveness of Japanese fast paced rugby in 2011
Ipponsugi, H. and Wheeler, K. (2012). Attacking effectiveness of Japanese fast paced rugby in 2011. International Conference on Sports and Exercise Science, Bangkok, Thailand, September 2012 .
Changes to agility running technique during reactive performance conditions
Wheeler, K. (2012). Changes to agility running technique during reactive performance conditions. 30th Annual Conference of Biomechanics in Sports, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 2012.
Breaking the tackle in rugby union
Wheeler, K., Askew, C. and Sayers, M. (2009). Breaking the tackle in rugby union. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009 .
Attacking phases in rugby league
Wiseman, R. and Wheeler, K. (2009). Attacking phases in rugby league. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane. , Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009 .
Elite serve in tennis: right vs left hand players
Hynes, A. and Wheeler, K. (2009). Elite serve in tennis: right vs left hand players. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009 .
Factors influencing scoring efficiency in the Australian Football League
Francis, J. and Wheeler, K. (2009). Factors influencing scoring efficiency in the Australian Football League. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009 .
Donaldson, S. and Wheeler, K. (2009). Fending in elite rugby league. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009 .
Wheeler, K. (2009). Ruck play in rugby union. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009.
Tackle height and the influence on tackle outcome in rugby league
Ibbott, P. and Wheeler, K. (2009). Tackle height and the influence on tackle outcome in rugby league. 3rd Evolution of the Athlete Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2009 .
The importance of expertise when analysing sport
Wheeler, K. (2009). The importance of expertise when analysing sport. International Symposium on Computer Science in Sport, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, ACT, Australia, September 2009 .
Agility Skill Execution in Rugby Union
Wheeler, K., Askew, C. and Sayers, M. (2009). Agility Skill Execution in Rugby Union. Asian Pacific Conference on Biomechanics, Christchurch, New Zealand , 14-17 April 2009.
The use of notational analysis to examine agility skill execution in Rugby Union
Wheeler, K., Askew, C. and Sayers, M. (2009). The use of notational analysis to examine agility skill execution in Rugby Union. 13th International Association of Sport Information World Congress, Canberra, ACT Australia, 11-13 March 2009.
Review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success
Wheeler, K. (2020). Review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success . Brisbane, QLD Australia:
(2021) Energex
Getting active and feeling good through the Move2Smile with Culture program
(2021) Australian Academy of Science
Co-design of the Move2Smile program with diverse Queensland communities to benefit childhood health and wellbeing
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Innovating physical literacy in early childhood through the co-design of the Move2Smile with Culture program
Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Movement Interventions to improve mental well-being in individuals who have experiences trauma
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor