Career Summary
Biography
Angus is a casual academic and research associate in the School of Education and the Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition at the University of Newcastle. He attained a Bachelor of Teaching (Health and Physical Education) (Honours) from the University of Newcastle in 2016, and commenced his PhD in 2017. Angus’ doctoral research is focused on the development and evaluation of a novel school-based physical activity intervention (known as Burn 2 Learn) for senior school students (i.e., Grades 11 and 12). The Burn 2 Learn project examines the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), on students’ physiological, psychological, and cognitive health.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Teaching (Honours), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Cognition
- Executive function
- Exercise
- Fitness
- High-intensity interval training
- Intervention
- Physical activity
- Physical education
- Psychological health
- Public health
- Schools
Languages
- English (Mother)
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
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Casual Academic | University of Newcastle School of Education Australia |
Casual Academic | University of Newcastle School of Education Australia |
Research Associate | University of Newcastle School of Education Australia |
Research Associate | University of Newcastle School of Education Australia |
Awards
Award
Year | Award |
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2019 |
Faculty of Education and Arts Higher Degree Research Achievement Award Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle |
Teaching
Code | Course | Role | Duration |
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PUBH 1030 |
Foundation Studies in K-6 PDHPE University of Newcastle Faculty of Education |
Course Lecturer | 26/2/2018 - 8/6/2018 |
EDUC 2747 |
K-6 PDHPE University of Newcastle Faculty of Education and Arts |
Course Tutor | 24/7/2017 - 13/11/2020 |
EDUC 1014 |
PE Studies 1: Motor Development and Skill Acquisition University of Newcastle Faculty of Education and Arts |
Course Tutor | 24/2/2020 - 12/6/2020 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Chapter (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2020 |
Eather N, Ridley K, Leahy A, 'Physiological Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Young People', The Routledge Handbook of Youth Physical Activity, Routledge, New York, NY 103-120 (2020) [B1]
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Journal article (10 outputs)
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2021 |
Shigeta TT, Leahy AA, Smith JJ, Eather N, Lubans DR, Hillman CH, 'Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness associations with older adolescent cognitive control', Journal of Sport and Health Science, 10 82-90 (2021) [C1] Background: Participation in physical activity supports greater cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), a correlate of cognitive control. However, the relationship between muscular fitne... [more] Background: Participation in physical activity supports greater cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), a correlate of cognitive control. However, the relationship between muscular fitness (MF) and cognitive control is less clear. The present study investigated the differential relationship of CRF and MF with cognitive control in older adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved students (15¿17 years old, n = 541, 43% female) from 20 secondary schools who completed tests of inhibition (modified flanker task), working memory (n-back task), CRF (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run), and MF (standing long jump and push-up test). Multilevel analyses tested the association between CRF or MF and cognitive outcomes while accounting for the influence of the other fitness variable and relevant demographic factors. Results: CRF predicted response accuracy during incongruent flanker trials, the condition requiring greater inhibition. For the working memory task, CRF predicted greater target accuracy and greater d' scores on the 1-back task, requiring lesser amounts of working memory. In the 2-back task, which requires greater amounts of working memory, CRF also predicted greater target and non-target accuracy and d' scores. Comparatively, MF did not predict any cognitive outcomes after adjustment for CRF. Conclusion: CRF was selectively related to better performance during task conditions that require greater amounts of inhibition and working memory. This finding suggests that CRF, but not MF, may benefit cognitive control in older adolescents. This selective influence of CRF on older adolescents¿ cognition highlights the value of aerobic physical activity.
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2020 |
Leahy AA, Michels MFI, Eather N, Hillman CH, Shigeta TT, Lubans DR, Smith JJ, 'Feasibility of test administration and preliminary findings for cognitive control in the Burn 2 learn pilot randomised controlled trial', Journal of Sports Sciences, 38 1708-1716 (2020) [C1] The feasibility requirements of administering field-based cognitive assessments are rarely reported. We examined the feasibility of administering a group-based cognitive test batt... [more] The feasibility requirements of administering field-based cognitive assessments are rarely reported. We examined the feasibility of administering a group-based cognitive test battery in a school setting with older adolescents. Several types of reliability were also assessed in the control group. Preliminary efficacy and the relationship between changes in fitness and changes in cognitive control were also explored following a 14-week HIIT intervention (3 sessions/week). Participants completed a cognitive test battery measuring inhibition (flanker), and working memory (n-back) at baseline and post-test.¿Health-related fitness assessments were also conducted.¿Test administration took approximately 30.8¿±¿1.5¿minutes to complete with up to six participants simultaneously. The test battery demonstrated acceptable reliability (ICC¿=¿0.5¿0.81), with significant changes observed for flanker incongruent accuracy, and 2-back non-target accuracy from baseline to post-test. Regarding efficacy,¿small-to-moderate effects were observed for accuracy outcomes, while several small associations were found between changes in fitness and changes in cognition. Findings from the current study suggest a cognitive test battery can be administered with older adolescents in a school setting. However, there remains a lack of adequate reporting of administration requirements for field-based cognitive assessments. Efficacy findings should be confirmed with a larger and more representative sample of older adolescents.
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2020 |
Janssen A, Leahy AA, Diallo TMO, Smith JJ, Kennedy SG, Eather N, et al., 'Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness and mental health in older adolescents: A multi-level cross-sectional analysis', PREVENTIVE MEDICINE, 132 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Kennedy SG, Leahy AA, Smith JJ, Eather N, Hillman CH, Morgan PJ, et al., 'Process Evaluation of a School-Based High-Intensity Interval Training Program for Older Adolescents: The Burn 2 Learn Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial', CHILDREN-BASEL, 7 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Lubans DR, Smith JJ, Eather N, Leahy AA, Morgan PJ, Lonsdale C, et al., 'Time-efficient intervention to improve older adolescents' cardiorespiratory fitness: Findings from the Burn 2 Learn' cluster randomised controlled trial', British Journal of Sports Medicine, (2020) [C1] Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important marker of current and future health status. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of a time-efficient... [more] Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important marker of current and future health status. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of a time-efficient school-based intervention on older adolescents' CRF. Methods: Two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial conducted in two cohorts (February 2018 to February 2019 and February 2019 to February 2020) in New South Wales, Australia. Participants (N=670, 44.6% women, 16.0±0.43 years) from 20 secondary schools: 10 schools (337 participants) were randomised to the Burn 2 Learn (B2L) intervention and 10 schools (333 participants) to the control. Teachers in schools allocated to the B2L intervention were provided with training, resources, and support to facilitate the delivery of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) activity breaks during curriculum time. Teachers and students in the control group continued their usual practice. The primary outcome was CRF (20 m multi-stage fitness test). Secondary outcomes were muscular fitness, physical activity, hair cortisol concentrations, mental health and cognitive function. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 months (primary end-point) and 12 months. Effects were estimated using mixed models accounting for clustering. Results: We observed a group-by-time effect for CRF (difference=4.1 laps, 95% CI 1.8 to 6.4) at the primary end-point (6 months), but not at 12 months. At 6 months, group-by-time effects were found for muscular fitness, steps during school hours and cortisol. Conclusions: Implementing HIIT during curricular time improved adolescents' CRF and several secondary outcomes. Our findings suggest B2L is unlikely to be an effective approach unless teachers embed sessions within the school day. Trial registration number: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000293268). |
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2020 |
Mavilidi MF, Mason C, Leahy AA, Kennedy SG, Eather N, Hillman CH, et al., 'Effect of a Time-Efficient Physical Activity Intervention on Senior School Students' On-Task Behaviour and Subjective Vitality: the 'Burn 2 Learn' Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial', EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW, 33 299-323 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Wade L, Leahy A, Lubans DR, Smith JJ, Duncan MJ, 'A systematic review of cognitive assessment in physical activity research involving children and adolescents', Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 23 740-745 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Leahy AA, Mavilidi MF, Smith JJ, Hillman CH, Eather N, Barker D, Lubans DR, 'Review of High-Intensity Interval Training for Cognitive and Mental Health in Youth.', Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 52 2224-2234 (2020) [C1]
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2019 |
Leahy AA, Eather N, Smith JJ, Hillman CH, Morgan PJ, Plotnikoff RC, et al., 'Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Teacher-Facilitated High-Intensity Interval Training Intervention for Older Adolescents.', Pediatr Exerc Sci, 31 107-117 (2019) [C1]
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Show 7 more journal articles |
Conference (5 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2019 |
Wade L, Leahy A, Lubans D, Smith J, Duncan M, 'A systematic review of cognitive assessment in physical activity research involving children and adolescents', Twin Waters (2019)
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2019 |
Leahy A, Smith J, Eather N, Morgan P, Lonsdale C, Noetel M, et al., 'Utility and feasibility of a smartphone app to support school-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT): Findings from the Burn 2 Learn cluster RCT', Twin Waters (2019)
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2019 |
Shigeta TT, Leahy AA, Smith JJ, Eather N, Lubans DR, Hillman CH, 'Aerobic and Muscular Fitness Associations with Adolescent Cognitive Control', MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, Orlando, FL (2019)
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Show 2 more conferences |
Mr Angus Leahy
Positions
Research Associate
Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition
School of Education
College of Human and Social Futures
Casual Academic
Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition
School of Education
College of Human and Social Futures
Contact Details
angus.leahy@newcastle.edu.au |
Office
Room | ATC-304 |
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Building | Advanced Technology Centre |
Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |