Research in sport and recreation

Ranked in the top 35 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.

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AUT Millennium

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

AUT Millennium website

John Cronin
Grant Schofield
Erica Hinckson
John Cronin
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.
Grant Schofield
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.
Erica Hinckson
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.
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News
Sports equipment
Emeritus Professor Elaine Rush
Professor Andrew Kilding
Healthy homework works
Professor Lesley Ferkins
News pattern
Sports equipment
Athletic immunity and sporting events
16 Mar, 2020
AUT PhD candidate Lauren Keaney has researched athletic immunity and strategies to stay well in the leadup to major sporting fixtures.
Emeritus Professor Elaine Rush
Feeding local population vs food exports
30 Jan, 2020
AUT study shows that food insecurity may be linked to nutritional disparity in global food trade, with high-quality exports and nutrient-poor imports.
Professor Andrew Kilding
Five questions: Professor Andrew Kilding
20 Nov, 2019
We asked Professor Andrew Kilding five questions about his research ahead of his Inaugural Professorial Address.
Healthy homework works
Healthy homework works
16 Sep, 2019
Researchers investigated the effects of a Healthy Homework implementation in primary school children.
Professor Lesley Ferkins
Five questions: Professor Lesley Ferkins
13 Sep, 2019
We asked Professor Lesley Ferkins five questions about her research ahead of her Inaugural Professorial Address.
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Lesley Sommerfield
Josh McGeown
Wataru Hiramatsu
Samuel McKenzie
Chloe McKenzie
Lesley Sommerfield
Great graduatesLesley SommerfieldStudentDoctor of PhilosophyA visit to Auckland confirmed that AUT was the right place for her to complete her PhD in sport, says Lesley Sommerfield who came to AUT from the USA.A visit to Auckland confirmed that AUT was the right place for her to complete her PhD in sport and recreation, says Lesley Sommerfield who came to AUT as an international student from the USA. For her PhD research, Lesley developed an injury prevention programme which she then implemented into the PE curriculum in a girls’ secondary school, aiming to reduce injury risk factors and improve athletic performance.
Josh McGeown
Great graduatesJosh McGeownStudentDoctor of PhilosophyMild traumatic brain injury or concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury, says Josh McGeown who is currently completing a PhD in sport.Mild traumatic brain injury or concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury, says PhD student Josh McGeown who is researching how to rehabilitate athletes following a concussion. Josh’s PhD research is supervised by AUT’s Professor Patria Hume and Associate Professor Alice Theadom, as well as NZ Rugby scientist Ken Quarrie. His work has already been featured in Sports Medicine – Open.
Wataru Hiramatsu
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.
Samuel McKenzie
Great graduatesSamuel McKenzieJunior Coach Development Manager, Auckland Rugby UnionMaster of Sport and ExerciseSamuel McKenzie, who works for the Auckland Rugby Union, decided to enrol in the Master of Sport and Exercise to complement his career in sport development.How do youth athletes perceive their coaching and how does this affect their experience of sport? That’s the interesting topic Samuel McKenzie is exploring for his Master of Sport and Exercise. He chose this topic because he has an interest in the experiences of youth in sport and how the coach impacts on this.
Chloe McKenzie
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.
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