Assoc Professor Jeffrey Walkley

Position

Discipline Head

School /
Work Unit

Health Sciences

Contact Details

+(61 3) 9925 7359

jeff.walkley@rmit.edu.au

Location

Building: 201
Level: 3
Room: 2

Bundoora West Campus

College/Portfolio

Science, Engineering & Health

"Associate Professor Jeff Walkley"Qualifications

Diploma of Teaching, South Australian College of Advanced Education, 1980.

Bachelor of Education, South Australian College of Advanced Education, 1981.

Master of Arts, Michigan State University (USA), 1984.

Ph.D (Adapted Physical Activity), University of Virginia (USA), 1986.

Fellow, Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 1996.

Teaching responsibilities

Course Coordinator

  • Adapted Physical Activity
  • Physical Activity & Intellectual Disability
  • Assessment, Instruction & Disability
  • Scientific Methods in Exercise Science
  • Applied Exercise Science 1

Course Contributor

  • Physical Activity, Health & Lifestyle

Courses Previously Taught

  • Research Methods in Human Movement Science
  • Intellectual Disability Studies II
  • Physical Education and the Disabled
  • Individual and Adapted Physical Education
  • Principles of Teaching Physical Education
  • Trends and Practices in Physical Education and Sport Education
  • Computer Applications in Human Movement Science
  • Motor Learning Laboratory

The courses above relate to

  • Bachelor of Applied Science (Physical Education)
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement)
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability)

Research interests

My research centres on the promotion of physically active lifestyles to people with divergent needs. I have focused on research with people with disability and children aged 5-12 years. Recent work has focused on how children develop fundamental motor skill competence and the influence this competence has on other factors including health-related physical fitness and physical activity participation. Currently, I am assisting the City of Whittlesea conduct an investigation into the impact of a walk-to-school program that aims to improve the amount of walking children undertake. Additionally, I am leading a team investigating the impact of physical training and breakfast eating on the physical and psychological characteristics of adolescent boys. Aligned to this study is work I am associated with as a PhD supervisor of a project investigating the effect of cognitive behaviour therapy and motivational interviewing on obese adolescents.

In the area of disability, I am currently investigating the effectiveness of exercise programs designed for people with an intellectual disability. An important related area of research has focused on whether proxy respondents (care-givers or friends) can accurately report the physical activity behaviours of people with intellectual disability who cannot provide this information themselves. The ability to accurately measure physical activity for people with intellectual disability is a necessary first step in assessing the determinants of physical activity, the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions and the relationship of physical activity to major health outcomes.

My current postgraduate supervision includes two PhD projects and one Masters project, all linked to my research interests described above. Previously, I have supervised three PhD, 7 Masters and 2 Honours projects to completion.

Industry / profession / community involvement

Industry Roles (Current)
  • St. John of God Services, Australia Board, Director, (2003 to date)
  • Disability Recreation Alliance (Banyule, Nillumbik, Whittlesea Councils & RMIT University), (2001 to date).
  • Executive Committee, Australian Council of Health, Physical Education & Recreation (Victoria), Member, (2002 to date) http://www.achper.vic.edu.au/
  • Member, Teacher Training Working Party, ACHPER (Victoria), (February 1998 to date).
  • Health, Physical and Sport Education Unit, Advisor,(1994 to date). Department of Education, Employment and Training, Victoria. http://www.det.vic.gov.au/det/
  • Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (Physical Education), Advisor (1998 to date). http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/
  • Curriculum Corporation (Physical Education), Advisor (2000 to date).http://www.curriculum.edu.au/
  • Management Committee, Physical and Sport Education (PASE) Professional Development Program, ACHPER (Victoria) (March 1994 to date).
Industry Roles (Past)
  • Heads of Department Sub-Committee, ACHPER (Victoria), Chairperson, (February 1992 to 1997).Teacher Education Approval Committee, Member (1999 to 2001), Department of Education, Employment and Training, Victoria.
  • National Vice-President, Australian Council of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (July 1993 to January 1996). ACHPER has a membership of approximately 3,500 and is the peak body representing the profession.
  • National Coordinator - Physical Education, Australian Council of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (August 1993 to April 1994).Interim coordinator due to extra-ordinary resignation.
  • Directorate of School Education, Victoria, Exemplary Physical and Sport Education Schools Selection Panel (Secondary Colleges), Chairperson, (1994-1995).
  • Findon Primary School Council, Committee Member & President, (February 1993 to March 1998).
  • Curriculum and Disability Committees, Directorate of School Education, Review of Physical and Sport Education in Victorian Schools, Member, (February 1993 to July 1993).
Professional Association Membership
  • Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation
  • American College of Sports Medicine
  • Australian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability
  • International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity

Research publications

Books and Videos

Walkley, J., Armstrong, D. Clohesy, P. (1998). Fundamental Motor Skills: An Activities Resource for Classroom Teachers. Department of Education, Melbourne.

Walkley, J., Parker, S. & Jackson, M. (1996). Australian Fitness Education Award. ACHPER: Hindmarsh, South Australia.

Walkley, J., Holland, B., Treloar, R. & O'Connor, J. (1996). Fundamental Motor Skills: A Manual for Classroom Teachers. Department of Education, Melbourne.

RMIT University (Producer), & Department of Human Biology and Movement Science (Director). (1999).Active chair-based exercise program [video]. (Available from Arthritis Victoria, 263-265 Kooyong Road, Elsternwick, VIC 3185). In English, Greek and Italian. Project team: Walkley, J., Temple, V., Brown, L., Parker, S., & Cain, L.

Arthritis Victoria. (1999). Active chair-based exercise program: Instructor's manual. Elsternwick, VIC: Author. Writers: Walkley, J., Temple, V., Brown, L., Parker, S., & Cain, L.

Articles

Walkley, JW, Temple, VA, Simmons, K, Greenway, K, Klein, R. (2003). Effects of a 30-week minimally supervised exercise program for adults with an intellectual disability. Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5)Supplement, S66.

Temple, V. A., & Walkley, J. W.(2002). Effect of group size on the participation of students with mild intellectual disability in physical education.ACHPER Healthy Lifestyles Journal, 49, 26 – 31.

Walkley J., Temple, V., Parker, S., Greenway, K., & Anderson, C (2001). Energy balance and dietary intake of intellectually disabled adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 33, (5), S49.

Foster, B., Temple, V., & Walkley J. (2001). An examination of the bone mineral density of women with an intellectual disability Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 18, 49-59.

Temple, V. A., Anderson, C., & Walkley, J. W. (2000). Physical activity levels of individuals living in a group home. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 25, 327-341.

Temple, V., Walkley, J., & Sturnieks, D. (2000). Measuring physical activity in a population of individuals with intellectual disability. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport, 71 (Supp.1), A-112.

Foster, B., Temple, V., Bradney, M., & Walkley J. (2000). Bone mineral density of women with intellectual disability Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 32, (5), S253.

Walkley, J., Holland, B., Brown, L., Temple, V., Jacobson, T., O'Connor, J., Parker, S., Treloar, R., Rhodes, B. (2000). A statewide initiative to improve fundamental motor skill development. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport, 71 (Supp.1), A-60.

Temple, V.A., and Walkley, J.W. (1999) Academic learning time - physical education of students with mild intellectual disability in regular Victorian Schools. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly 16(1):64-74

Academic management / administration responsibilities

  • Division Leader, Exercise Sciences, School of Medical Sciences
  • Elected member to Faculty Board, Faculty of Life Sciences
  • Member of Committee of Management, Bundoora Netball & Sports Centre

Projects and consultancies

  • Kellogg’s Australia awarded a $198,000 research contract for 2003 to investigate “The influence of physical training and breakfast on physical and psychological factors among adolescent boys”
  • VicHealth awarded an Active Recreation grant of $28,500 for 2003/2004 to the Disability Recreation Alliance and St. John of God Services, Victoria to investigate “Creating a Sporting Chance” project.
  • VicHealth awarded an Active Recreation grant of $23,800 for 2002/2003 to the Disability Recreation Alliance and St. John of God Services, Victoria to investigate “Effects of a day training physical activity program for adults with an intellectual disability”.
  • Netball Victoria awarded a Netball Inclusion grant of $1,500 for 2002/2003 to the Disability Recreation Alliance, Bundoora Netball & Sports Centre and Plenty Valley Netball Association to establish a Netball program for adults with an intellectual disability.
  • VicHealth awarded a Walking School Bus grant of $35,000 for 2002 to the City of Whittlesea and RMIT University to implement and evaluate a walk-to-school program for primary school children.
  • Department of Education, Employment and Training awarded $32,000 for 2001 to Division of Exercise Sciences to undertake Stage 3 of the Fundamental Motor Skill Proficiency Study and to collect evidence concerning health related physical fitness and physical activity behaviour of Victorian school students.
  • Department of Education, Employment and Training awarded a Science in Schools tender of $20,000 for 2001 to the Division of Exercise Sciences to raise the profile of science in the local community through the Science of Sport. Project that involves face-to-face teaching of primary and secondary students, develop an in-service for teachers and develop a website for teachers and students.
  • VicHealth awarded an Active for Life grant of $4,600 for 1999/2000 to St. John of God Services, Victoria in association with Dr. Viviene Temple to investigate “Effects of a work-site physical activity program for adults with an intellectual disability”.
  • Department of Human Services, Victoria awarded $47,500 in 1998 to myself, Dr. Viviene Temple, Ms. Susie Parker, Mr. Leigh Brown and Ms. Kerri Montero to conduct “Promotion of healthy nutrition and physical activity practice in organised care settings (Stage 1)”.The settings were Community Residential Units and Juvenile Justice Centres.
  • Arthritis Victoria awarded $75,000 in May 1998 to myself, Dr. Viviene Temple and Mr. Leigh Brown to develop Active with Arthritis.
  • Department of Education, Victoria awarded $29,451 in March 1998 to myself, Dr. Viviene Temple, Mr. Justen O’Connor, Ms. Susie Parker and Mr. Leigh Brown to conduct Stage 2 of the Fundamental Motor Skill Proficiency Study.
  • Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences awarded $16,047 in 1997 to Dr. Viviene Temple and myself for the project “Measuring physical activity and body composition in a population of individuals with an intellectual disability”.
  • Directorate of School Education, Victoria awarded $39, 291 to myself and colleagues to investigate the fundamental motor skill proficiency of children aged 5 to 12 years (May, 1994).
  • Department of Education, Employment and Training, through the National Professional Development Program, awarded myself $45, 400 to revise the Australian Schools Fitness Test (February, 1994).
  • Australian Sports Commission awarded myself $8,000 to develop the publication Sport It! Twenty-one thousand teachers adopted the Sport It! program in 1993.

Awards

  • RMIT University Research Award (Community Partnerships – Onshore), 2003
  • Sport and Recreation Industry Award for Applied Research in Sport and Recreation, Melbourne, Aug. 2000.