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Dr Liam Johnson

Lecturer
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences

Areas of expertise: exercise rehabilitation; stroke; neurorehabilitation; physical activity

Phone: +61 3 9953 3037

Email: Liam.Johnson@acu.edu.au

Location: ACU Melbourne Campus

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4916-049X

Dr Liam Johnson is a Lecturer in the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences. He is the National team leader for Motor Control and Learning and has extensive experience leading other core exercise science units such as Research and Ethics in Exercise Science, and Growth, Motor Development and Ageing. He is an emerging leader in clinical exercise rehabilitation research, as evidenced by multiple invited international conference presentations, awards, and >$2.4M in research funding (including NHMRC). He is a Research Fellow (University of Melbourne) and an exercise physiologist embedded within Epworth HealthCare researching stroke rehabilitation, the effects of exercise and physical activity on cognition, and research implementation.

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• Ashcroft, SK, Ironside, DD, Johnson, L, Kuys, SS, Thompson-Butel, AG. The effect of exercise interventions on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in stroke survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Stroke, 2022; (In press). doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.122.039919
• Machado, N, Olver, J, Williams, G, Johnson, L. The safety and feasibility of early cardiorespiratory fitness testing after stroke. PM&R, 2022; (In press). doi: 10.1002/pmrj.12787
• Machado, N, Wingfield, M, Kramer, S, Olver, J, Williams, G, Johnson, L. Maintenance of cardiorespiratory fitness in people with stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2022; (In press). doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2022.01.151
• Varley, BJ, Shine,r CT, Johnson, L, McNulty, PA, Thompson-Butel, ASG. Revisiting poststroke upper limb stratification: resilience in a larger cohort. Neurorehabil Neural Repair, 2021;35(3):280-289. doi: 10.1177/1545968321992048
• Kramer, SF, Cumming, T, Johnson, L, Churilov, L, Bernhardt, J. Determining maximal tolerable aerobic intensity in the acute phase after stroke: a novel dose ranging trial protocol. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis, 2020;29(12):105359. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105359
• Johnson, L, Bird, M-L, Muthalib, M, Teo, W-P. An innovative STRoke Interactive Virtual thErapy (STRIVE) online platform for community-dwelling stroke survivors: a randomised controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2020;101(7):1131-1137. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2020.03.011
• Saunders, DH, Sanderson, M, Hayes, S, Johnson, L, Kramer, S, Carter, DD, Jarvis, H, Brazzelli, M, Mead, GE. Physical fitness training for stroke patients (review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2020, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003316. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003316.pub7
• Sheedy, R, Kramer, SF, Johnson, L Shields, N, Churilov, L, Cadilhac, DA, Bernhardt, J. Acute hospital admission for stroke is characterised by inactivity. Stroke Res Treat, 2020; Article ID 5879295. [IF: N/A; C: 1; R: 44/84 Peripheral Vascular Disease]
• Johnson, L, Kramer S, Catanzariti, G, Kaffenberger, T, Cumming, T, Bernhardt, J. Safety of performing a graded exercise test early after stroke and transient ischaemic attack. PM&R, 2020;12(5):445-453. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.12259
• Hamilton, T,* Johnson, L*, Quinn, BT, Coppola, J, Sachs, D, Migliaccio, J, Phipps, C, Schwartz, J, Capasso, M, Carpenter, M, Putrino, D. Telehealth intervention programs for seniors: an observational study of a community-embedded health monitoring initiative. Telemedicine and e-Health, 2020;26(4). doi: 10.1089/tmj.2018.0248 *Equal first
• Johnson, L, Fry, A, Dehbandhi, B, Rubin, L, Halem, M, Barachant, A, Smeragliuolo, AH, Putrino, D. An automated, electronic assessment tool can accurately classify older adult postural stability. Journal of Biomechanics, 2019;93:6-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.06.001
• Lynch, EA, Jones, TM, Simpson, DB, Fini, NA, Kuys, SS, Borschmann, K, Kramer, S, Johnson, L, Callisaya, ML, Mahendran, N, Janssen, H, English, C, on behalf of the ACTIOnS Collaboration. Activity monitors for increasing physical activity in adult stroke survivors. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2018, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD012543. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012543.pub2
• Johnson, L, Werden, E, Shirbin, C, Bird, L, Landau, E, Cumming, C, Churilov, L, Berhardt, J, Thijs, V, Brodtmann, A. The Post Ischaemic Stroke Cardiovascular Exercise Study: protocol for a randomised controlled trial of fitness training for brain health. Eur Stroke J 2018;3(4):379-386. doi: 10.1177/2396987318785845
• Kramer, SF, Johnson, L, Bernhardt, J, Cumming, T. Validity of multi-sensory array to measure energy expenditure of an activity bout in early stroke survivors. Stroke Res Treat 2018;2018: 9134547. doi: 10.1155/2018/9134547
• Kramer, SF, Cumming, T, Bernhardt, J, Johnson, L. The energy cost of steady-state physical activity in acute stroke. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2018;27(4):1047-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2017.11.010
• Martin, AC, Heazlewood, IT, Kitic, CM, Lys, I, Johnson, L. Possible hormone predictors of physical performance in adolescent team sport athletes. J Strength Cond Res, 2017;33(2):417-25. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002014
• Bernhardt, J, Godeke, E, Johnson, L, Langhorne, P. Early rehabilitation after stroke. Curr Opin Neurol, 2017;30(1):48-54. doi: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000404
• Johnson, L, Addamo, PK, Raj, IS, Borkoles, E, Wyckelsma, V, Cyarto E & Polman, RC. An acute bout of exercise improves the cognitive performance of older adults. J Aging Phys Act, 2016;24(4):591-8. doi: 10.1123/japa.2015-0097
• Johnson, L, Butson, ML, Polman, RC, Raj, IS, Borkoles, E, Scott, D, Aitken, D, Jones, G. Light physical activity is positively associated with cognitive performance in older community dwelling adults. J Sci Med Sport, 2016;19(11):877-882. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2016.02.002
• Kramer, S, Johnson, L, Bernhardt, J, Cumming, T. Energy expenditure and cost during walking after stroke: a systematic review. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2016;97(4):619-632. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.11.007
• Johnson, L, Rodrigues J, Teo, WP, Walters S, Stell, R, Thickbroom, G, Mastagia, F. Interactive effects of GPI stimulation and levodopa on postural control in Parkinson's disease. Gait & Posture, 2015;41(4):929-34. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.03.346
• Bernhardt, J, English, C, Johnson, L, Cumming, T. Early mobilization after stroke: early adoption but limited evidence. Stroke, 2015;46:1141-46. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.114.007434

Projects

Selected studies with NHMRC funding

• 2019-2023, 'Cardiovascular exercise to prevent cognitive decline in high risk patient populations: a post-ischaemic stroke exercise intervention study', NHMRC Boosting Dementia Research Grant $1,613,508

Selected Studies with funding

• 2021-2023, 'Personalised Physical Activity Programs for Stroke Survivors', Stroke Foundation Seed Grant $69,979.50
• 2018-2019, 'Preventing post-stroke dementia and brain atrophy with exercise: The Post Ischaemic Stroke Cardiovascular Exercise Study (PISCES)', Stroke Foundation Early Career Seed Grant $50,000
• 2018-2019, 'CRiSSIS' - Cardiac Rehabilitation in Stroke Survivors to Improve Survivorship, Stroke Foundation Early Career Seed Grant $47,375.40
• 2016-2018, 'An online interactive virtual rehabilitation platform for community dwelling stroke survivors', Heart Foundation Vanguard Grant $75,000

Accolades and Awards

• Merck Postdoctoral Travel Award, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, $2500, 2017.
• Stroke Society of Australasia Bursary Award, $1000, 2016
• Miller Postdoctoral Travel Award, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, $2500, 2016.
• Endeavour Research Fellowship, Australian Government, Department of Education and Training, $24,500, 2015.
• Merck Millipore Poster Prize, University of Melbourne Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Early Career Researcher Network Symposium, $200, 2015.
• Florey Postdoctoral Association Training Award, Florey Postdoctoral Association, 2015.

Appointments and Affiliations

Appointments

• Lecturer, Australian Catholic University, 2017- current
• Research Fellow, University of Melbourne, 2022 - current
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Epworth HealthCare, 2018 - 2021
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental health, 2014 - 2017
• Lecturer, Charles Darwin University, 2010 - 2014

Professional Affiliations

• World Stroke Organization, 2016 - current
• Stroke Society of Australasia, 2015 - current A
• American College of Sports Medicine, Professional in Training, 2015 - current
• Exercise and Sports Science Australia, Accredited Exercise Scientist, 2010 - current
• Sports Medicine Australia, Full Professional Member, 2012 - current

International journal review panels

• Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• BMC Neurology
• Clinical Rehabilitation
• Gait and Posture
• International Journal of Stroke
• Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise
• Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
• Physical Therapy
• Physiotherapy Theory and Practice
• Scientific Reports

Grant agency review panels

• National Health and Medical Research Council, 2015 - 2017
• Heart Foundation PhD Scholarships, 2021
• Heart Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships, 2022
• Stroke Foundation, 2015-16; 2019-2020; 2022
• Irish Health Research Board, 2017
• Neurological Foundation of New Zealand, 2019
• UK Medical Research Foundation, 2018

Public engagement activities

• Convenor, Florey Institute Exercise Research Forum 'Enhanced Health and Rehabilitation', 2015
• International Journal of Stroke podcast, 2015, https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-a9we8-5ac118
• Exercise and Sports Science Australia professional development webinar
• Guest twitter curator for the
• NHMRC Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre of Research Excellence,
• International Journal of Stroke,
• Stroke Society of Australasia and the
• Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association (ACRA) annual scientific meeting (ASM).
• 'Einstein A Go-Go' radio program (Triple R) Interview - exercise after stroke

Selected invited presentations

• 'Exercise Rehabilitation after Stroke', Peninsular Health Stroke Seminar. Online, August 2021
• 'Including people with stroke into cardiac rehabilitation: Why should I, who can come and what do I need to consider?' Stroke Society of Australasia, Webinar presentation. Online, August 2021. *Joint presentation with Professor Seanna Gall, Epidemiologist, University of Tasmania
• 'Cardiac rehabilitation in stroke survivors to improve survivorship (CRiSSIS) - an implementation sub-study', Epworth HealthCare Research Week Rehabilitation Symposium. Online, October 2021
• 'Cardiac Rehabilitation in Stroke Survivors Improves Survivorship', The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Florey Stroke seminar. Online, November 2021. *Joint presentation with Professor Susan Marzolini, Scientist, Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program
• 'Exercise and Stroke Rehabilitation', Stroke Association of Victoria. Presented at the NAB Building, Melbourne, 2018
• 'Physical activity and cardiovascular fitness: what should we be telling our stroke patients', Epworth Physiotherapy ReSearch Epworth Rehabilitation seminar series, Epworth HealthCare, Richmond, Melbourne, November 2018. *Joint presentation with Dr Natalie Fini, University of Melbourne