Grant Tomkinson is a research professor and member of the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA) at UniSA.
Professor Tomkinson is interested in how people’s physical fitness levels relate to their health. Physical fitness refers to people's ability to perform physical activity, and it is important for sporting success and good health. He has a particular interest in whether today’s people are fitter than their peers from the past. He was the first to conclusively show that kids’ aerobic fitness levels have, in fact, declined worldwide since about 1975 and have plateaued since 2000. His research has informed policy nationally and internationally, with contributions to policy in Australia,... Read more
About me
Grant Tomkinson is a research professor and member of the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA) at UniSA.
Professor Tomkinson is interested in how people’s physical fitness levels relate to their health. Physical fitness refers to people's ability to perform physical activity, and it is important for sporting success and good health. He has a particular interest in whether today’s people are fitter than their peers from the past. He was the first to conclusively show that kids’ aerobic fitness levels have, in fact, declined worldwide since about 1975 and have plateaued since 2000. His research has informed policy nationally and internationally, with contributions to policy in Australia, Canada, France, and the UK, and to the International Olympic Committee’s consensus statement on Fitness and Health of Young People through Sport and Physical Activity. He is a Young Tall Poppy Science Award winner.
Grant is also the Associate Editor for the Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness and the former Chair of Active Healthy Kids Australia.
About me
• Active Healthy Kids Australia (AHKA)
• Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance (AHKGA)
• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
• Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA)
• International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK)
About me
Doctor of Philosophy University of South Australia
Bachelor of Applied Science University of South Australia
Bachelor of Sports Science The University of New South Wales
• Temporal trends in people's physical fitness levels.
• Links between people's physical fitness levels and their current and future health.
• Australian physical activity report card for children and young people.
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Life on Holidays: Fitness lost, fatness regained?, NHMRC - Project Grant, 01/01/2018 - 31/12/2022
Toward a maritime physical habitability standard, Defence Science & Technology Organisation, 31/08/2015 - 31/12/2016
• Grip Assessment for Protocol Enhancements (GRAPE) in older adults. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Enhancement Award (R15), 2022–25.
• Life on Holidays: Fitness lost, fatness regained? NHMRC Project Grant, 2018–22.
• Investigating health-related criterion-referenced cut-points among children and youth aged 5–17 years: A systematic review. Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Grant, 2020–21.
• The Great Plains Internet Wellness for Aging Study: The GP I-WAS Project. Great Plains IDeA-Clinical and Translational Research Grant, 2020–21.
• Grounding physiological outcomes, indicators, and measures in evidence. PHAC Grant, 2018.
• Toward a maritime physical habitability standard. Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) of the Department of Defence, 2015–16.
• Active Healthy Kids Australia Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Young People (2015–2018). UniSA Vice Chancellor’s Development Fund, 2015–18.
• Anthropometric Survey of the Royal Australian Navy (ASRAN). Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) of the Department of Defence, 2014–15.
• The effects of military vehicle transit on the physical performance and musculoskeletal health of military personnel. DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2014–16.
• Development of encumbered anthropometric protocol. DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2014.
• Anthropometric validation study to determine the accuracy and reliably of 3D-scan extracted Australian Warfighter Anthropometric Survey (AWAS) measurements. DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2013.
• Australian Warfighter Anthropometric Survey (AWAS). DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2011–12.
• Anthropometric validation study to determine the accuracy and reliably of measurements extracted from a 3D seated or standing whole body scan. DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2011.
• Exploratory study of driver workload and ergonomics associated with convoy operations. DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2011.
• An anthropometric survey of the ADF population for the optimisation of the design, sizing and inventory of clothing and body armour. DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2010.
• Dairy proteins: effects on athletic performance and recovery. Industry Grant: Murray-Goulburn Nutritionals Pty Ltd, 2007–09.
• Use of a laser scanning technique to measure the anthropometric characteristics of rowers competing at the 2007 Australian Rowing Championships. Australian Institute of Sport Discretionary Research Program, 2007.
• Normative data for 12–25 year old Australians: Anthropometry and fitness-performance. Australian Sports Commission, 2007.
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2021 |
6
7
13
|
| 2021 |
4
|
| 2021 |
Open access
7
7
2
|
| 2021 |
10
12
190
|
| 2019 |
Open access
128
131
350
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2020 |
|
| 2009 |
|
| 2008 |
|
| 2008 |
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2023 |
Open access
|
| 2023 |
Open access
|
| 2023 |
|
| 2022 |
1
1
1
|
| 2022 |
Open access
|
| 2022 |
|
| 2022 |
|
| 2022 |
|
| 2022 |
3
3
3
|
| 2022 |
1
1
61
|
| 2022 |
1
6
|
| 2022 |
Open access
11
|
| 2022 |
1
|
| 2021 |
1
|
| 2021 |
Open access
|
| 2021 |
6
7
13
|
| 2021 |
Open access
1
|
| 2021 |
Open access
1
4
|
| 2021 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2021 |
Open access
2
|
| 2021 |
2
2
2
|
| 2021 |
3
3
1
|
| 2021 |
Open access
1
|
| 2021 |
6
5
7
|
| 2021 |
4
|
| 2021 |
Open access
7
7
2
|
| 2021 |
2
|
| 2021 |
7
7
2
|
| 2021 |
6
7
|
| 2021 |
Open access
1
1
41
|
| 2021 |
Open access
2
1
23
|
| 2021 |
10
12
190
|
| 2021 |
Open access
2
1
2
|
| 2020 |
Open access
1
1
56
|
| 2020 |
Open access
13
13
196
|
| 2020 |
10
8
2
|
| 2020 |
10
9
189
|
| 2020 |
Open access
7
4
1
|
| 2020 |
11
10
2
|
| 2020 |
10
10
8
|
| 2020 |
Open access
8
10
16
|
| 2020 |
Open access
2
3
3
|
| 2020 |
Open access
1
1
1
|
| 2019 |
Open access
13
13
1
|
| 2019 |
Open access
24
22
31
|
| 2019 |
Open access
18
18
6
|
| 2019 |
45
43
113
|
| 2019 |
Open access
39
37
13
|
| 2019 |
Open access
1
|
| 2019 |
Open access
128
131
350
|
| 2019 |
Open access
31
33
3
|
| 2019 |
Open access
2
2
3
|
| 2019 |
Open access
5
4
40
|
| 2018 |
2
|
| 2018 |
Open access
5
6
9
|
| 2018 |
4
5
1
|
| 2018 |
Open access
3
3
|
| 2018 |
5
5
2
|
| 2018 |
Open access
81
80
54
|
| 2018 |
Open access
17
18
16
|
| 2018 |
Open access
58
56
20
|
| 2018 |
Open access
63
57
479
|
| 2018 |
Open access
4
4
8
|
| 2018 |
Open access
15
12
1
|
| 2018 |
Open access
160
155
60
|
| 2017 |
Open access
1
|
| 2017 |
Open access
16
14
71
|
| 2017 |
Open access
3
3
|
| 2017 |
Open access
15
14
1
|
| 2017 |
Open access
129
127
112
|
| 2017 |
Open access
12
12
183
|
| 2016 |
Open access
21
21
|
| 2016 |
Open access
14
7
5
|
| 2016 |
Open access
287
274
28
|
| 2016 |
41
37
6
|
| 2015 |
Open access
10
8
3
|
| 2015 |
|
| 2014 |
Open access
14
12
|
| 2014 |
28
27
74
|
| 2014 |
Open access
29
25
|
| 2014 |
Open access
265
243
59
|
| 2013 |
Open access
41
39
45
|
| 2013 |
67
62
65
|
| 2013 |
Open access
17
37
191
|
| 2013 |
20
15
|
| 2012 |
20
21
|
| 2012 |
Open access
6
6
2
|
| 2012 |
16
16
|
| 2012 |
Open access
30
27
3
|
| 2011 |
Open access
141
129
|
| 2011 |
134
122
|
| 2011 |
Open access
105
89
|
| 2011 |
219
209
|
| 2010 |
10
10
|
| 2010 |
Olds, TS, Tomkinson, GR, Ferrar, KE & Maher, CA 2010, 'Trends in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in Australia between 1985 and 2008', International Journal of Obesity. |
| 2010 |
56
46
|
| 2010 |
14
11
|
| 2010 |
15
14
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2009 |
Open access
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2018 |
Open access
|
| 2016 |
Open access
|
| 2015 |
Open access
|
| 2014 |
Open access
|
• Grip Assessment for Protocol Enhancements (GRAPE) in older adults. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Enhancement Award (R15), 2022–25.
• Life on Holidays: Fitness lost, fatness regained? NHMRC Project Grant, 2018–22.
• Investigating health-related criterion-referenced cut-points among children and youth aged 5–17 years: A systematic review. Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Grant, 2020–21.
• The Great Plains Internet Wellness for Aging Study: The GP I-WAS Project. Great Plains IDeA-Clinical and Translational Research Grant, 2020–21.
• Grounding physiological outcomes, indicators, and measures in evidence. PHAC Grant, 2018.
• Toward a maritime physical habitability standard. Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) of the Department of Defence, 2015–16.
• Active Healthy Kids Australia Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Young People (2015–2018). UniSA Vice Chancellor’s Development Fund, 2015–18.
• Anthropometric Survey of the Royal Australian Navy (ASRAN). Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) of the Department of Defence, 2014–15.
• The effects of military vehicle transit on the physical performance and musculoskeletal health of military personnel. DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2014–16.
• Development of encumbered anthropometric protocol. DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2014.
• Anthropometric validation study to determine the accuracy and reliably of 3D-scan extracted Australian Warfighter Anthropometric Survey (AWAS) measurements. DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2013.
• Australian Warfighter Anthropometric Survey (AWAS). DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2011–12.
• Anthropometric validation study to determine the accuracy and reliably of measurements extracted from a 3D seated or standing whole body scan. DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2011.
• Exploratory study of driver workload and ergonomics associated with convoy operations. DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2011.
• An anthropometric survey of the ADF population for the optimisation of the design, sizing and inventory of clothing and body armour. DSTO of the Department of Defence, 2010.
• Dairy proteins: effects on athletic performance and recovery. Industry Grant: Murray-Goulburn Nutritionals Pty Ltd, 2007–09.
• Use of a laser scanning technique to measure the anthropometric characteristics of rowers competing at the 2007 Australian Rowing Championships. Australian Institute of Sport Discretionary Research Program, 2007.
• Normative data for 12–25 year old Australians: Anthropometry and fitness-performance. Australian Sports Commission, 2007.
Research
• Temporal trends in people's physical fitness levels.
• Links between people's physical fitness levels and their current and future health.
• Australian physical activity report card for children and young people.
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Active Lifestyle and Wellness Association Ghana | GHANA |
| Auckland University of Technology | NEW ZEALAND |
| Australian Institute of Sport | AUSTRALIA |
| Autonomous University of Chile | CHILE |
| Ball State University | UNITED STATES |
| Beijing Sport University | CHINA |
| California Pacific Medical Center | UNITED STATES |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Carleton University | CANADA |
| CHEO Research Institute | CANADA |
| Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario | CANADA |
| Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute | CANADA |
| Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa | CANADA |
| Chinese University of Hong Kong | HONG KONG |
| Curtin University | AUSTRALIA |
| Deakin University | AUSTRALIA |
| Defence Science and Technology Group | AUSTRALIA |
| Defence Science and Technology Organisation | AUSTRALIA |
| Drexel University | UNITED STATES |
| Federal University of Santa Catarina | BRAZIL |
| Flinders Medical Centre | AUSTRALIA |
| Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
| Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center | UNITED STATES |
| Hartpury College | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Occidente | MEXICO |
| International Christian Univer | JAPAN |
| Juntendo University | JAPAN |
| Kenyatta University | KENYA |
| Klaipeda University | LITHUANIA |
| Korea National Sport University | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
| Loughborough University | UNITED KINGDOM |
| McMaster University | CANADA |
| Murray Goulburn Co-Operative Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
| NigerianHeart Foundation | NIGERIA |
| Nippon Sport Science University | JAPAN |
| North Dakota State University | UNITED STATES |
| Northumbria University | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Ohio State University | UNITED STATES |
| Ohio University | UNITED STATES |
| Old Dominion University | UNITED STATES |
| Oxford Brookes University | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Pablo de Olavide University | SPAIN |
| ParticipACTION | CANADA |
| Pennington Biomedical Research Center | UNITED STATES |
| Public Health Agency of Canada | CANADA |
| Public Transport Authority | AUSTRALIA |
| Public transport Victoria | AUSTRALIA |
| Public University of Navarre | SPAIN |
| Queen's University | CANADA |
| Queensland University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
| Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria | AUSTRALIA |
| Sacred Heart School | UNITED STATES |
| Saitama University | JAPAN |
| Secretaria de Educación del Distrito | COLOMBIA |
| Secretaria de Educación Del Distrito Capital | COLOMBIA |
| Shanghai University of Sport | CHINA |
| Statistics Canada | CANADA |
| Statistics Canada, Ottawa | CANADA |
| Swansea University | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Tufts University | UNITED STATES |
| Turun yliopisto | FINLAND |
| Universidad de los Andes | COLOMBIA |
| Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina | BRAZIL |
| University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Auckland | NEW ZEALAND |
| University of Bath | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Bergamo | ITALY |
| University of Cádiz | SPAIN |
| University of California | UNITED STATES |
| University of Cambridge | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Cape Town | SOUTH AFRICA |
| University of Castilla-La Mancha | SPAIN |
| University of Essex | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Exeter | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Granada | SPAIN |
| University of Hong Kong | HONG KONG |
| University of Jyvaskyla | FINLAND |
| University of Leicester | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Milan | ITALY |
| University of Montreal | CANADA |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center | UNITED STATES |
| University of New Hampshire Durham | UNITED STATES |
| University of Newcastle | AUSTRALIA |
| University of North Dakota | UNITED STATES |
| University of Ottawa | CANADA |
| University of Pavia | ITALY |
| University of Porto | PORTUGAL |
| University of Queensland | AUSTRALIA |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Southern Denmark | DENMARK |
| University of Southern Queensland | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Strathclyde | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Sydney | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Tasmania | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Technology Sydney | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Texas | UNITED STATES |
| University of the West of Scotland | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Turku | FINLAND |
| University of Verona | ITALY |
| University of Western Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Wollongong | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Wolverhampton | UNITED KINGDOM |
| US Department of Agriculture | UNITED STATES |
| VU Medical Centre | NETHERLANDS |
| VU University Medical Center | NETHERLANDS |
| Western Norway University of Applied Sciences | NORWAY |
| Western Sydney University | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
Finalist, Tall Poppy AwardAustralian Institute of Policy and Science |
2012 |
Finalist, Tall Poppy AwardAustralian Institute of Policy and Science |
2011 |
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| An examination of the inter-relationships between phycial fitness, anthropometry and fundamental movement skills as they relate to competitive junior basketball performance | Current |
| Assessment of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Australian children and adolescents: an audit and recommendations for survey questions | Completed |
| Can resistance training change the strength, body composition and self-concept of overweight and obese adolescent males? A randomised controlled trial | Completed |
| The effect of whey growth factor extract on muscle strength and size in recreational resistance trained males | Completed |
| The impact of the mechanical whole-body vibration experienced during motorised military land transit on the physical attributes that underpin dismounted combatant physical performance | Completed |
| Three-dimensional scanning in anthropometry - bringing new techniques and applications to an old science | Completed |
