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Research in sport and recreation

Ranked in the top 30 in the world, AUT is globally known for its leading sport and exercise science research. Our research covers sport and activity-related areas, as well as performance, nutrition, coaching and human potential.

We're proud to be the home of New Zealand's top sport and fitness facility, AUT Millennium, and the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) is New Zealand’s number one sports research institute.

Institutes, centres and networks

Research archive

J.E. Lindsay Carter Kinanthropometry Clinic

Research degrees

AUT Millennium

Our researchers work on key national projects at AUT Millennium, our world-class sports training and research facility.

AUT Millennium website

Our professors John Cronin Professor of Strength and Conditioning Research in high performance sport is a key focus for Professor John Cronin who has worked with some of the world’s top athletes, and believes that being an academic is all about people. Research in high performance sport is a key focus for Professor John Cronin who currently supervises a number of postgraduate students from New Zealand and overseas. Former discus world champion Beatrice Faumuina, New Zealand Cricket and the Silver Ferns have all benefited from Professor Cronin’s strength and conditioning expertise.

Our professors Mark Orams Professor of Sport and Recreation Professor Mark Orams' research interests focus on marine recreation and sport, high performance sport, leadership, coaching and outdoor education. He has been involved in the top level of sport as an athlete, a coach and as a sports team leader. Professor Mark Orams' research interests focus on marine recreation and sport, high performance sport, leadership, coaching and outdoor education. A professional sailor who has raced around the world, he has been involved in two America’s Cups, has won multiple world and New Zealand titles and thus, has been involved in the top level of sport as an athlete, a coach and as a sports team leader.

Our professors Erica Hinckson Professor of Physical Activity and the Environment Progressing research that benefits people and communities has been an overriding theme of Professor Erica Hinckson’s career. Progressing research that benefits people and communities has been an overriding theme of Professor Erica Hinckson’s career, with a focus on reducing the prevalence of physical inactivity. A highly successful former athlete, she has earned a place on the University of California San Diego’s Hall of Fame in recognition of her exceptional contribution to UCSD Athletics.

Our professors Grant Schofield Professor of Public Health Professor Grant Schofield is an authority on wellbeing and chronic disease prevention, especially related to reducing the risk from factors like obesity. Professor Grant Schofield is internationally known as an authority on wellbeing and chronic disease prevention, especially related to reducing the risk from obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In addition to being professor of public health, Professor Schofield is director of the Human Potential Centre.

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News

Five questions: Professor Andrew Kilding

20 Nov, 2019

We asked Professor Andrew Kilding five questions about his research ahead of his Inaugural Professorial Address.

AUT gets 5 QS stars in all categories

13 Nov, 2019

AUT has received the maximum five stars for the first time in every category according to the global education analysts QS in their recent results.

Healthy homework works

16 Sep, 2019

Researchers investigated the effects of a Healthy Homework implementation in primary school children.

Five questions: Professor Lesley Ferkins

13 Sep, 2019

We asked Professor Lesley Ferkins five questions about her research ahead of her Inaugural Professorial Address.

AUT moves up 50 places in world rankings

12 Sep, 2019

AUT is now in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 50 for research citations.

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Events

Meet AUT in Indonesia

Friday 31 Jan, 3pm - 8pm

Meet AUT in the Philippines

Sunday 2 Feb, 1pm - Thursday 6 Feb, 1pm

Vietnam information session on AUT’s Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences taught at ITEC/HCMU

Friday 7 Feb, 8:30am - 10:30am

ICT & Engineering Careers Fair 2020

Friday 3 Apr, 11am - 2pm

Architecture

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Great graduatesWataru HiramatsuStrength and Conditioning Coach, Japan Women’s Rugby Union Team & Japan Under 20 Men’s Rugby Union Team, Tokyo, JapanMaster of Sport and ExerciseComing to AUT for postgraduate study was easy, says Wataru Hiramatsu who is working with Japan’s Women’s Rugby Union Team and Under 20 Men’s Rugby Union Team.Coming to AUT for postgraduate study was an easy decision, says Wataru Hiramatsu who is now working with Japan’s Women’s Rugby Union Team and Under 20 Men’s Rugby Union Team as a strength and conditioning coach. Being able to learn from experts in his field was one of the highlights of his studies, Wataru says.

Great graduatesErika IkedaPostdoctoral Fellow, Medical Research Council Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United KingdomDoctor of Philosophy
Master of Health Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Health ScienceShe chose AUT because of the calibre of her supervisor, says sport and recreation alumna Erika Ikeda who came to AUT as an international student from Japan.She chose AUT because of the calibre of her supervisor, says sport and recreation alumna Erika Ikeda who came to AUT as an international student from Japan. The opportunities for multidisciplinary research and collaboration are what Erika has enjoyed most about her studies at AUT. She also appreciated having access to the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) and its fantastic facilities.

Great graduatesEnora Le FlaoDoctor of PhilosophyShe feels extremely lucky to be based at the AUT Sports Performance Research Institute (SPRINZ), says Enora Le Flao who came to AUT as a student from France.She feels extremely lucky to be based at the AUT Sports Performance Research Institute (SPRINZ), says Enora Le Flao who came to AUT as an international student from France. For her PhD research, Enora is investigating head impact biomechanics in sport. Her research is supervised by Professor Patria Hume, who was a key reason why Enora chose to come to AUT.

Great graduatesChloe McKenzieStrength and Conditioning Coach, High Performance Sport New Zealand / Owner, Next Level NetballDoctor of Philosophy
Master of Sport and Exercise
Postgraduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science
Bachelor of Sport and RecreationHelping athletes achieve their goals is what she loves most about being a strength and conditioning coach, says sport and recreation alumna Chloe McKenzie.Helping athletes achieve their goals is what she loves most about her career as a strength and conditioning coach, says sport and recreation alumna Chloe McKenzie. She has always had a love for sport, says Chloe whose passion for sport and recreation saw her take on study from undergraduate level all the way up to a PhD.

Great graduatesStephen KaraRegistrar, Axis Sports Medicine ClinicMaster of PhilosophyAUT is globally recognised for the SPRINZ research institute with its quality publications and senior staff, says sport and recreation alumnus Dr Stephen Kara.AUT is globally recognised for the AUT SPRINZ research institute with its quality publications and senior staff, says sport and recreation alumnus Dr Stephen Kara who completed his AUT Master of Philosophy in 2014. For his master’s thesis, Stephen investigated injuries in a professional rugby union environment, drawing on a wealth of data from his career as a rugby union team doctor.

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