AUT - Physical Activity & Nutrition

CENTRE FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION (CPAN)

Research active staff
Grant Schofield
Erica Hinckson
Scott Duncan
Elaine Rush
Melody Oliver
Nick Garrett
Philip Schluter
Justin Keogh
Gregory Kolt
Andrew Kilding
Caryn Zinn
Celia Kuch
Julia McPhee

Current PhD and Masters students

Marcelo Castilo
I’m investigating health risk groups with chronic non-communicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia (high cholesterol), obesity, ageing, sedentary). I began looking at the way intervention strategies in primary attention centres complement medical treatment in 2003.

Most recently I have been investigating a physical activity intervention in the work place, with university staff. My proposal to study the interruption of sedentary behaviours of employees in their workplace.

This study aims to provide quantitative and qualitative data regarding interruption of sedentary behaviour in the workplace, to determine what could be an effective and economically sustainable strategy aimed at increasing the health benefits of the individuals involved.

The study would provide objective data to monitor the type of moderate physical activity that can be incorporated successfully into the workday in order to improve health and physical capability of individuals, and by promoting a culture that supports non-sedentary habits in the workplace.

Alicia Crocket
Alicia is designing, implementing and evaluating a programme to create a healthier eating environment on campus at AUT. She will consult widely with the staff and student population to decide on priority areas and strategies for change and then work with the AUT foodservice to implement those changes. After evaluation Alicia will create a model for changing the eating environment that can be applied to other foodservice operations.

Leslie Wooller
Leslie is investigating the economic and public health implications of pedestrianising a roadway in Auckland's town centre, focusing on who the users are their travel mode choices and level of expenditure. Customer and retailer attitudes towards pedestrian-oriented zones in Auckland’s town centre will be investigated. How the spending habits and travel behaviours of adult customers may be influenced by pedestrian-oriented zones in Auckland’s town centre will also be investigated.

Asmita Patel
Asmita is investigating the use of pedometer-based Green Prescriptions in older adults, focusing on the barriers and motivators to physical activity uptake and maintenance in this age group. Depression and dose-response physical activity will also be investigated. The use of Green Prescription counselling in primary care practice will also be investigated. General Practitioners views and experiences of Green Prescription counselling, and of general physical activity and exercise prescription will also be examined.

Saeideh Aminian
Saeideh is a PhD student and currently investigating the level of sedentary behaviour in primary school children in a traditional classroom environment. She also seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of an activity-permissive environment in decreasing children’s sedentary behaviours in both inside and outside classroom environments in a real school setting. The proposed research will add further value by investigating the effectiveness of the intervention in improving children’s learning and in increasing their physical activity levels out of school.

SPORTS INJURY PREVENTION

Research active staff
Patria Hume

Current PhD students
Simon Gianotti: A framework for implementation of national sports injury prevention programmes .(Patria Hume)

APPLIED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY

The Applied Exercise Physiology research team focuses on determining the efficacy of novel physical training and ergogenic interventions to enhance sport performance. We focus on high-intensity and endurance exercise performance as well as intermittent team sport performance.

Research active staff
Andrew Kilding
Nigel Harris

Current Masters students
Maria Bentley: The female athlete triad and menstrual disturbances in physically active females

SPORTS RESEARCH DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Competitive sport presents applied scientists with unique challenges. Prof. Will Hopkins is actively researching solutions to these challenges and is a world leader in this field. He welcomes collaboration with students and emerging researchers who have an affinity for numbers and a genuine interest in understanding and applying the scientific method to sport.

Research active staff
Will Hopkins

Current PhD students
Tom Vandenbogaerde: Dietary strategies to enhance performance and recovery from training in elite swimmers

SPORTS ANTHROPOMETRY

We study the relationship between the size and shape of the human body and sports performance. We use internationally standardised techniques to measure athletes and use calculations of body composition, dimensions, proportion and ratio to help improve sport performance.

Research active staff
Patria Hume