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.

Institutes, centres and networks

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
Erica Hinckson
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 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 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.
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.
View all staff profiles
News
Girls playing netball
Associate Professor Andrew Gibbons standing in a classroom.
Research funding story
Patria Hume
hrc-grants-for-aut
News pattern
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.
Research funding story
Enhancing urban regeneration
15 Sep, 2020
A research team has secured $7.95m to quantify the societal impact of major urban regeneration projects currently taking place across the country.
Patria Hume
The lasting impacts of rugby injuries
17 Jul, 2020
A UK study of former rugby players shows they continue to suffer a high ‘injury load’ after retirement from the sport.
hrc-grants-for-aut
HRC grants for three AUT researchers
02 Jul, 2020
AUT researchers working on stroke, exercise science and traumatic brain injury research have received Health Research Council grants.
View all news
Stephen Kara
Chloe McKenzie
Lesley Sommerfield
Mel Johnston
Josh McGeown
Stephen Kara
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
View more

Back to top
Website search