Research in sport and recreation

Ranked in the top 27 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 in Mairangi Bay.

AUT Millennium website

Explore our research expertise

AUT's academic supervisors are recognised world-class researchers who have the expert knowledge in their fields to guide you throughout your studies.

If you’re interested in applying to a doctoral degree or a Master of Philosophy, email doctoral.and.mphil.admissions@aut.ac.nz first to assess your eligibility for the programme.

Browse research expertise

John Cronin
Erica Hinckson
Grant Schofield
John Cronin
Our academics 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.
Erica Hinckson
Our academics 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.
Grant Schofield
Our academics 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
HRC 2021
Heat chamber
Professor Jarrod Haar, Professor Patria Hume, Professor Denise Wilson
Girls playing netball
Associate Professor Andrew Gibbons standing in a classroom.
News pattern
HRC 2021
HRC Emerging Researchers First Grants
28 May, 2021
AUT picked up one third of Health Research Council Emerging Researchers First Grants this year.
Heat chamber
Feeling the Tokyo Heat
15 Apr, 2021
Top Kiwi athletes training for the Olympics under AUT’s Professor Andrew Kilding and other sport scientists.
Professor Jarrod Haar, Professor Patria Hume, Professor Denise Wilson
New Royal Society Te Apārangi Fellows
16 Mar, 2021
Three AUT academics have been elected as Fellows to the Academy of the Royal Society Te Apārangi.
Girls playing netball
Sport clubs face COVID financial pain
09 Oct, 2020
Sports clubs connected to NZ’s most traditional codes report being “hit hard” by the impact of COVID-19 according to the 2020 National Sport Club Survey.
Associate Professor Andrew Gibbons standing in a classroom.
ECE positive for social outcomes
23 Sep, 2020
New research has found that children who attend ECE have fewer emotional difficulties and better peer relations, but are more prone to common illnesses.
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Erika Ikeda
Chloe McKenzie
Enora Le Flao
Isaac Amoah
Mel Johnston
Erika Ikeda
Great graduatesErika IkedaPostdoctoral Fellow, Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit & Centre for Diet and Activity Research, 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.
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.
Enora Le Flao
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.
Isaac Amoah
Great graduatesIsaac AmoahDoctor of PhilosophyHow can food science and nutrition inform the development of a vegetable-enriched bread? Isaac Amoah aims to answer this question through his PhD research.How can food science and nutrition inform the development of a vegetable-enriched bread that is accepted by consumers and has verifiable health claims? PhD student Isaac Amoah, an international student from Ghana and recipient of an AUT Riddet PhD scholarship, aims to answer this question through his doctoral research.
Mel Johnston
Great graduatesMel JohnstonLecturer, School of Sport and RecreationDoctor of PhilosophyHer fascination with major sport events started at a very young age, says Mel Johnston who has just completed a Doctor of Philosophy exploring this topic.Her fascination with major sport events started at a very young age, says Mel Johnston who has just completed a PhD exploring this topic and will be graduating this August. Mel’s doctoral research was supervised by Dr Michael Naylor from AUT’s School of Sport and Recreation, and Associate Professor Geoff Dickson, a former AUT academic who is now at La Trobe University in Melbourne.
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