Assoc Prof Tracy Kolbe-Alexander

Fields of Research (FoR)

• Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified ( 111799 )
  

• Human Movement and Sports Science not elsewhere classified ( 110699 )
  

• ( 420699 )
  

• ( 420799 )
  

Research interests
Tracy Kolbe-Alexander is an Associate Professor the University of Southern Queensland, Australia; an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, and an honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town (South Africa).

The focus of Tracy's research is the role of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases. Using various strategies and approaches to influence positive lifestyle behaviours, she has developed, implemented and measured the effectiveness of these programs in different settings (schools, workplace and community). Much of her current research has focused on shift workers, as this group has been shown to be at increased risk for non-communicable disease and are less likely to engage in health-seeking behaviour. She is also collaborating with the local regional council on community-based initiatives to increase physical activity across the lifespan.

One of her main objectives is to promote the translation of research into practice. Tracy has experience in working with the private sector, NGO's and local government on various initiatives which aims to promote physical activity, especially to those from previously marginalized communities. She has delivered courses on the WHO'S Global Action Plan for Physical Activity and is leading the development of ISPAH courses that can be delivered in different countries and settings.

Tracy serves on both Australian and international boards, with the aim of promoting physical activity to improve health and well-being. She is part of Sport Medicine Australia's Queensland Chapter, where she is playing a role in advocating the benefits of physical activity and integrating it into clinical practice. She is a current member of the International Society of Physical Activity and Health's (ISPAH) board, and is Chairperson of their Education Committee. She has previously served as a scientific adviser to the Heart Stroke Foundation of South Africa and on the African Physical Activity Network executive. Kolbe-Alexander was invited to be part of the judging panel for the Global Healthy Workplace Awards in 2013, 2014 (African Judge) and 2019, 2020 (Asia-Pacific Judge).

Professional memberships
Sports Medicine Australia
International Society of Physical Activity and Health
International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity
Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)

Industry affiliations
Accredited Exercise Physiologist with ESSA

USQ Research affiliations

• Institute for Resilient Regions (IRR)
  

• Centre for Health, Informatics and Economic Research (CHIER)
  

Currently teaching courses/programs
PMC1101 - Public health for paramedics
SES3130 - Clinical exercise physiology for young people

SES3231 - Clinical exercise physiology for adult to middle age
SES2203 - Physical activity and health

Administrative responsibilities
Associate Head of School - Research

Research most recent
1. Jason A Bennie, Katrien De Cocker, Tracy Kolbe-Alexander, Jan Segher, and Stuart J.H Biddle. Trends in muscle-strengthening exercise among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults between 2011 and 2017. Journal Physical Activity and Health, 2020

2. Biddle SJH, Bennie JA, De Cocker K, Dunstan D, Gardiner PA, Healy GN, Lynch B, Owen N, Brakenridge C, Brown W, Buman M, Clark B, Dohrn IM, Duncan M, Gilson N, Kolbe-Alexander T, Pavey T, Reid N, Vandelanotte C, Vergeer I, Vincent GE. Controversies in the Science of Sedentary Behaviour and Health: Insights, Perspectives and Future directions from the 2018 Queensland Sedentary Behaviour Think Tank. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Nov 27;16(23)

3. Kolbe-Alexander TL, Gomersall S, Clark B, Torquati L, Pavey T, Brown WJ. A hard day's night: time use in shift workers. BMC Public Health. 2019 Jun 3;19(Suppl 2):452.

4. Torquati L, Mielke GI, Brown WJ, Burton NW, Kolbe-Alexander TL. Shift Work and Poor Mental Health: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies. Am J Public Health. 2019 Nov;109(11):e13-e20.

Research most notable
Ding D, Lawson K, Kolbe-Alexander T, Finkelstein EA, Katzmarzyk PT, van Mechelen W, Pratt M. and Lancet Physical Activity Series 2 Executive Committee. The pandemic of physical inactivity: A global estimate of the economic burden. Lancet 2016, July

Brown WJ, Mielke GI, Kolbe-Alexander TL. Commentary: Gender equity in sport for improved public health. Lancet 2016, July

Torquati L, Mielke GI, Brown WJ, Kolbe-Alexander T. Shift work and the risk of cardiovascular disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis including dose-response relationship. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2018 May 1;44(3):229-238. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3700. Epub 2017 Dec 16.

Lambert EV, Kolbe-Alexander TL: Innovative strategies targeting obesity and non-communicable diseases in South Africa: what can we learn from the private healthcare sector? Obesity reviews 2013, 14 Suppl 2:141-149.

Publications in ePrints

Torquati, Luciana and Mielke, Gregore I. and Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L. and Brown, Wendy J. (2021) Associations between indicators of energy intake and expenditure with excess weight and obesity among women in sedentary and less-sedentary jobs. Preventive Medicine, 147:106507. ISSN 0091-7435

Pienaar, Paula R. and Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L. and van Mechelen, Willem and Boot, Cecile R. L. and Roden, Laura C. and Lambert, Estelle V. and Rae, Dale E. (2021) Associations between self-reported sleep duration, all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in employed individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Health Promotion, 11. pp. 1-13. ISSN 0890-1171

King, Abby C. and Odunitan-Wayas, Feyisayo A. and Chaudhury, Moushumi and Rubio, Maria Alejandra and Baiocchi, Michael and Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy and Montes, Felipe and Banchoff, Ann and Sarmiento, Olga Lucia and Balter, Katarina and Hinckson, Erica and Chastin, Sebastien and Lambert, Estelle V. and Gonzalez, Silvia A. and Guerra, Ana Maria and Gelius, Peter and Zha, Caroline and Chethan, Sarabu and Kakar, Pooja A. and Fernes, Praveena and Rosas, Lisa G. and Winter, Sandra J. and McClain, Elizabeth and Gardiner, Paul A. (2021) Community-based approaches to reducing health inequities and fostering environmental justice through global youth-engaged citizen science. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (3):892. pp. 1-29.

Kemp, Chadley and Pienaar, Paula R. and Henst, Rob H. P. and Roden, Laura C. and Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L. and Rae, Dale E. (2020) Assessing the validity and reliability and determining cut-points of the Actiwatch 2 in measuring physical activity. Physiological Measurement, 41 (8):085001. pp. 1-12. ISSN 0967-3334

Schouw, Darcelle and Mash, Robert and Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy (2020) Changes in risk factors for non-communicable diseases associated with the ‘Healthy choices at work’ programme, South Africa. Global Health Action, 13 (1):1827363. pp. 1-11.

View full listing in ePrints

Approved research supervisor in the area of:

• Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified ( 111799 )
  

• Human Movement and Sports Science not elsewhere classified ( 110699 )