Research in sport and recreation

Ranked in the top 50 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 and centres

Research archive

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

John Cronin
Mark Orams
Elaine Rush
Grant Schofield
John Cronin
Our professors John Cronin Professor of Strength and Conditioning Research in high performance sport is a key focus for Professor John Cronin. Former discus world champion Beatrice Faumuina, New Zealand Cricket and the Silver Ferns have all benefited from Professor Cronin’s expertise. 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.
Mark Orams
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.
Elaine Rush
Our professors Elaine Rush Professor of Nutrition An internationally recognised research leader with expertise in nutrition, energy expenditure, physical activity and the measurement of body composition, Professor Elaine Rush is a champion for the multi-ethnic communities she works with. An internationally recognised research leader with expertise in nutrition, energy expenditure, physical activity and the measurement of body composition, Professor Elaine Rush is a champion for the multi-ethnic communities she works with. She leads the AUT Food Network and provides academic leadership for Project Energize, a multimillion dollar regional health programme that has improved nutrition and physical activity in schools.
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.
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News
Grant Schofield and the sugar conspiracy
Professor Grant Schofield, Dr Caryn Zinn and chef Craig Rodger
Grant Schofield and the sugar conspiracy
The Sugar Conspiracy
16 May, 2018
Experts advocate plan to reverse type 2 diabetes epidemic within three years.
Professor Grant Schofield, Dr Caryn Zinn and chef Craig Rodger
New book sheds light on fasting
20 Apr, 2018
We’re fatter and sicker than ever before – and according to a new book, the answer to this modern scourge could lie in the age-old practice of fasting.
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Events
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event item
Erica Hinckson's inaugural professorial address
Tuesday 18 Sep, 4:30pm - 6pm
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Erin Bowerman
Iain Cleland
Samuel McKenzie
Erin Bowerman
Great graduatesErin BowermanStrength and Conditioning Coach, The Royal Ballet School (White Lodge), LondonMaster of Sport and ExerciseAUT alumna Erin Bowerman is responsible for the strength, conditioning and fitness training of 130 ballet students at the Royal Ballet School in London.There’s nothing she doesn’t love about her job, says AUT sport and recreation alumna Erin Bowerman who is now a strength and conditioning coach at the prestigious Royal Ballet School in London. Primarily responsible for managing the strength, conditioning and fitness training of 130 full-time ballet students between the ages of 11 and 16, she loves fostering student enjoyment of strength and conditioning.
Iain Cleland
Great graduatesIain ClelandHead Strength and Conditioning Coach, Section Paloise Rugby, Top 14 FranceMaster of PhilosophyBeing able to learn from some of New Zealand’s top sport and recreation experts is what drew him to AUT, says Iain Cleland who studied a Master of Philosophy.Being able to learn from some of New Zealand’s top sport and recreation experts is what drew him to AUT, says Iain Cleland. He enjoyed being challenged and being able to discuss his ideas with some of the best in the business. For his Master of Philosophy thesis, Iain drew on his background in rugby union, exploring sleep extension and recovery in rugby union players.
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.
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