Athlete focused. Projects in this theme aim to enhance and maintain the performance, health, and wellbeing of diverse athlete populations.
Fields of expertise
- Sports science
- Sports medicine
- Sports technology
- Sports coaching/leadership
- Sports psychology
- Physiotherapy
- Engineering
- Biomechanics
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See below for a selection of active projects in this theme.
ParaSTART
The ParaSTART Program is a longitudinal study that investigates the therapeutic benefits of sports training for individuals with high support needs cerebral palsy. A multidisciplinary team combined of doctors, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, sports psychologists and exercise scientists deliver a sports specific training program and investigate the impact this has on gross motor function, strength, fitness, BMD and overall wellbeing of athletes. This program differs from other projects in its field as is it highlighting the benefits of sports training for people with high support needs disabilities, rather than the conventional rehabilitation methods. It has the dual benefit of both identifying potential future Paralympians and developing a foundational body of knowledge on the best training methods for athletes with high support needs.
Visit our ParaSTART page for more information.
Researchers
Associate Professor Sean Tweedy, Associate Professor Emma Beckman, Dr Iain Dutia, Dr Mark Connick, Jennifer O’Sullivan, Bridget Dodds.
Partners / Funding
- Queensland Academy of Sport
- Paralympics Australia
- Swimming Australia
Status
Active (2015 – current)
Mental Performance in Competition (MPC) Coach Development Program.
The MPC Coach Development Program is an applied research project to help coaches develop their athletes’ abilities to perform with pressure in competition. Grounded in self-determination theory, the 18-month intensive program is designed to teach Elite Australian coaches need-supportive coaching behaviours so that they can:
- Develop their athletes abilities to perform with pressure in competition.
- Create a daily training environment conducive to learning how to perform with pressure in competition.
- Perform with pressure and role model performing with pressure in competition.
Researchers
Professor Cliff Mallett (UQ), Associate Professor Steven Rynne (UQ), Dr Jordan Lefebvre (UQ), Dr Rosanna Stanimirovic (AIS), and Richard Fryer (AIS).
Partners / Funding
Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
Status
Active (2021-2024)
Optimising the spring in your step to enhance footwear design.
This research explores how the nervous system controls the function of the foot to meet the ever-varying demands of locomotion in the real-world. Specifically, this research will examine how the nervous system adjusts the mechanical function of our feet across a spectrum of speeds, from slow running through to maximal effort sprinting. We will determine if running shoes help or hinder the natural spring-like function of the foot, while exploring a conceptually novel design allowing shoes to support our feet, whilst harnessing the energetic benefits of the foot's spring-like function. This research has the potential to revolutionise athletic footwear design and has direct implications for athletic performance in running athletes.
Researchers
Dr Luke Kelly, Professor Glen Lichtwark, Professor Andrew Cresswell
Partners / Funding
Australian Research Council
Status
Complete (2017-2022)
TBC