Dr Simone Tomaz Joubert

Lecturer in Exercise Physiology

Sport Stirling

Dr Simone Tomaz Joubert

Contact details

About me

Preferred name: Simone Tomaz

Simone completed her PhD in Exercise Science at the University of Cape Town and currently works as a Lecturer in Exercise Physiology at the University of Stirling. Her teaching focus is human anatomy and physiology, with some focus on injuries and injury management. Simone’s research area is physical activity across the age spectrum. She is currently working on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project with Walking Scotland (previously Paths for All), which is aiming to co-produce a programme to help get Scottish secondary school pupils more active. Simone has previously worked on the GOALD (Generating Older Active Lives Digitally) project; a collaborative project between the Universities of Stirling and Plymouth exploring the delivery of physical activity and sports-based reminiscence using digital technology in intergenerational groups.

Award

Stirling Research Culture Awards and Nominations
University of Stirling

2021 - Nominated in the Best Mentor category 2022 - Nominated in the Outstanding Early Career Researcher category 2023 - Highly Commended in the Outstanding Early Career Researcher category 2025 - Nominated in the Outstanding Early Career Researcher category

Community Contribution

STEM Ambassador Activity: Reducing Sports Injuries
In January 2026: delivered a 1hr session to a group of n=40 pupils at Kings Park Secondary School in Glasgow. The topic was Reducing Sports Injuries and I used some of my teaching material from SPSU8D4 and clinical experience to deliver an active workshop to the pupils. This was through the STEM Ambassador programme that "is powered by STEM Learning and funded by UK Research and Innovation".

Event / Presentation

Early Excellence Podcast: Physical Engagement with Dr Simone Tomaz
https://earlyexcellence.com/eex-podcasts/
In January 2025 I recorded a podcast on the Early Excellence Podcast (released in February 2025). The podcast invitation came about following a publication in JAMA .

Stirling Science Festival 2023: Digital Active Lives
6-hour drop-in event at the Stirling Science Festival in 2023, with digital technology for physical activity from the GOALD project as the attraction. With Anna Whittaker and Colin Shore.

Stirling Science Festival 2025: Growing Older Disgracefully
University of Stirling
Presentation at the Stirling Science Festival 2025 alongside Prof Anna Whittaker titled 'Growing Older Disgracefully'

Examining

Internal Examiner: Xonne Muller
University of Stirling
Internal examination for PhD candidate Ms Xonne Muller, a student doing her PhD through the Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) with South African universities. The title of the thesis is "Growth, Anthropometric Indices, Physical Fitness, and Physical Activity as Health Risk Indicators in Primary School Children: Longitudinal Trends from the NW-CHILD Study", with a reported word count of 135,273. The candidate submitted their thesis on 24/Nov/2025.

Other Academic Activities

Age Scotland Expert Friend
Age Scotland
Expert Friend panel member, with contributions to the following: Quarterly Expert Friends panel meetings Body Boosting Bingo Upgrade (2023-2024) Guest speaker at Body Boosting Bingo Launch (April 2024; https://www.agescotland.org.uk/news/1141-eyes-down-for-age-scotland-s-revamped-body-boosting-bingo)

Journal of Physical Activity and Health (JPAH) Editorial Board Member
https://journals.humankinetics.com/…l?tab_body=about

Public Library of Science (PLOS One) Journal Academic Editor
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/
Current academic editorial board member for the PLOS One Journal: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/static/editorial-board?ae_name=Simone+A+Tomaz

Research projects (1)

GOALD: Connectivity and Digital Design for Health and Well-being Across Generations, Places and Spaces
PI: Professor Catherine Hennessy
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
–

Outputs (27)

Preprint

Toolkits for developing digital platforms to help older people stay physically or socially active produced through codesign workshops: real-world impact assessment through 10 case studies. (Preprint)

Jones RB, Cooper L, Bradwell H, Shore CB, Tomaz SA, Ritchie J, Whittaker AC, Haynes R, Hennessy C & GOALD project (2025) Toolkits for developing digital platforms to help older people stay physically or socially active produced through codesign workshops: real-world impact assessment through 10 case studies. (Preprint). JMIR Preprints. https://doi.org/10.2196/preprints.64222

Article

Pooled Analysis of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep Among Children From 33 Countries

Chong KH, Suesse T, Cross PL, Ryan ST, Aadland E, Aoko O, Byambaa A, Carson V, Chaput J, Christian H, Cliff DP, De Craemer M, de Lucena Martins CM, Delisle Nyström C, Draper CE & Tomaz SA (2024) Pooled Analysis of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep Among Children From 33 Countries. JAMA Pediatrics, 178 (11), pp. 1199-1207. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.3330

Conference Paper (published)

Remote Scoping of an Audio-Reminiscence Tool for Care Home Residents

Bradwell HL, Jones RB, Cooper L, Edwards KJ, Tomaz S, Baxter R, Baines R, Page T, Chatterjee A, Whittaker AC, Haynes R & Hennessy C (2024) Remote Scoping of an Audio-Reminiscence Tool for Care Home Residents. In: volume 2024. 2024 IEEE Symposium on Computers and Communications (ISCC), Paris, France, 26.06.2024-29.06.2024. IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/iscc61673.2024.10733572

Conference Paper (published)

Implementation of Virtual Reality Motivated Physical Activity via Omnidirectional Treadmill in a Supported Living Facility for Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation.: Virtual reality to motivate physical activity for older adults

Bradwell HL, Cooper L, Baxter R, Tomaz S, Edwards KJ, Whittaker AC & Jones RB (2024) Implementation of Virtual Reality Motivated Physical Activity via Omnidirectional Treadmill in a Supported Living Facility for Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation.: Virtual reality to motivate physical activity for older adults. In: CHI '24: Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. CHI '24: CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Honolulu HI USA, 11.05.2024-16.05.2024. New York: ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642281

Article

Generations Active Together: An Example of Using Physical Activity Promotion and Digital Technology to Bring Together Adolescents and Older People in Stirling, Scotland

Tomaz SA, Taylor L, Ryde GC, Bradwell HL, Cooper L, Coffee P, Mannion G, Hennessy C, Haynes R, Whittaker AC & GOALD Project (2024) Generations Active Together: An Example of Using Physical Activity Promotion and Digital Technology to Bring Together Adolescents and Older People in Stirling, Scotland. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2024.2322442

Article

Staff perceptions towards virtual reality-motivated treadmill exercise for care home residents: a qualitative feedback study with key stakeholders and follow-up interview with technology developer

Bradwell pL, Cooper L, Edwards KJ, Baxter R, Tomaz SA, Ritchie J, Gaudl S, Veliz-Reyes A, Ryde GC, Križaj T, Warren A, Chatterjee A, Haynes R, Hennessy CH & Whittaker AC (2023) Staff perceptions towards virtual reality-motivated treadmill exercise for care home residents: a qualitative feedback study with key stakeholders and follow-up interview with technology developer. BMJ Open, 13 (11), Art. No.: e073307. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073307

Article

Building partnerships: A case study of physical activity researchers and practitioners collaborating to build evidence to inform the delivery of a workplace step count challenge

Niven A, Ainge JA, Allison M, Gorely T, Kelly P, Ozakinci G, Ryde GC, Tomaz SA, Warne S, Whiteford V & Greenwood C (2023) Building partnerships: A case study of physical activity researchers and practitioners collaborating to build evidence to inform the delivery of a workplace step count challenge. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.1067127

Article

". . . Exercise opportunities became very important": Scottish older adults' changes in physical activity during Covid19'

Tomaz SA, Ryde GC, Swales B, Neely KC, Andreis F, Coffee P, Connelly J, Kirkland A, McCabe L, Watchman K, Martin JG, Pina I & Whittaker AC (2022) ". . . Exercise opportunities became very important": Scottish older adults' changes in physical activity during Covid19'. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 19, Art. No.: 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-022-00295-z

Article

Results from Scotland's 2021 report card on physical activity and health for children and youth: Grades, secular trends, and socio-economic inequalities

Bardid F, Tomaz SA, Johnstone A, Robertson J, Craig LCA & Reilly JJ (2022) Results from Scotland's 2021 report card on physical activity and health for children and youth: Grades, secular trends, and socio-economic inequalities. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 20 (4), pp. 317-322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2022.07.002

Article

Levels and Correlates of Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior in Young Children: SUNRISE Study Results from 19 Countries

KARIIPPANON KE, CHONG KH, JANSSEN X, TOMAZ SA, RIBEIRO EHC, MUNAMBAH N, CHAN CHS, CHATHURANGANA PP, DRAPER CE, EL HAMDOUCHI A, FLORINDO AA, GUAN H, HA AS, HOSSAIN MS & KIM DH (2022) Levels and Correlates of Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior in Young Children: SUNRISE Study Results from 19 Countries. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 54 (7), pp. 1123-1130. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000002886

Article

Loneliness, Wellbeing, and Social Activity in Scottish Older Adults Resulting from Social Distancing during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Tomaz SA, Coffee P, Ryde GC, Swales B, Neely KC, Connelly J, Kirkland A, McCabe L, Watchman K, Andreis F, Martin JG, Pina I & Whittaker AC (2021) Loneliness, Wellbeing, and Social Activity in Scottish Older Adults Resulting from Social Distancing during the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (9), Art. No.: 4517. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094517

Article

Intensity Matters for Musculoskeletal Health: A Cross-Sectional Study on Movement Behaviors of Older Adults from High-Income Scottish and Low-Income South African Communities

Pina I, Mendham AE, Tomaz SA, Goedecke JH, Micklesfield LK, Brooks NE, Gallagher IJ, Crockett R, Dudchenko P & Hunter AM (2021) Intensity Matters for Musculoskeletal Health: A Cross-Sectional Study on Movement Behaviors of Older Adults from High-Income Scottish and Low-Income South African Communities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (8), Art. No.: 4310. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084310

Article

Understanding the influence of 24-hour movement behaviours on the health and development of preschool children from low-income South African settings: the SUNRISE pilot study

Draper C, Tomaz SA, Cook CJ, Jugdav SS, Ramsammy C, Besharati S, Van Heerden A, Vilakazi K, Cockcroft K, Howard SJ & Okely AD (2020) Understanding the influence of 24-hour movement behaviours on the health and development of preschool children from low-income South African settings: the SUNRISE pilot study. South African Journal of Sports Medicine, 32 (1), pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516X/2020/v32i1a8415

Conference Paper (unpublished)

Loneliness, social support and wellbeing in Scottish older adults as a result of social distancing during the Covid19 pandemic

Whittaker AC, Tomaz SA, Ryde G, Connelly J, Coffee P, Kirkland A, McCabe L, Watchman K, Andreis F, Swales B, Martin JG, Pina I & Neely KC (2020) Loneliness, social support and wellbeing in Scottish older adults as a result of social distancing during the Covid19 pandemic. American Psychosomatic Society 2020 Virtual Meeting, Online, 03.12.2020-04.12.2020. https://psychosomatic.org/meetings/annual-meeting-2020/

Conference Paper (unpublished)

Impact of Covid19 social distancing on the social and mental health of Scottish older adults

Whittaker AC, Tomaz SA, Coffee P, Ryde G, Connelly J, Kirkland A, McCabe L, Watchman K, Andreis F, Neely KC, Swales B, Martin JG & Pina I (2020) Impact of Covid19 social distancing on the social and mental health of Scottish older adults. Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections 2020 Digital Conference, Online, 11.11.2020-18.11.2020. https://www.sparc.education.ed.ac.uk/conference-2020/

Conference Paper (unpublished)

The impact of Covid19 on Scottish older adults’ physical activity: Changes and associations with wellbeing

Tomaz SA, Ryde G, Connelly J, Swales B, Martin JG, Pina I, Neely KC, Coffee P, Kirkland A, Andreis F, McCabe L, Watchman K & Whittaker AC (2020) The impact of Covid19 on Scottish older adults’ physical activity: Changes and associations with wellbeing. Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections 2020 Digital Conference, Online, 11.11.2020-18.11.2020. https://www.sparc.education.ed.ac.uk/conference-2020/

Website Content

Physical activity for children under 5 years during COVID-19: Play your way and keep moving while at home

Tomaz S, Fawkner S, Niven A, Hanson S, Williamson C, Kelly P & Hanson CL (2020) Physical activity for children under 5 years during COVID-19: Play your way and keep moving while at home. British Journal of Sports Medicine Blog [Blog Post] 29.04.2020. https://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2020/04/29/physical-activity-for-children-under-5-years-during-covid-19-play-your-way-and-keep-moving-while-at-home/

Research programmes

Research centres/groups

Research themes