Sports & Exercise Science
Kenji Doma
- Associate Professor
- kenji.doma@jcu.edu.au
Carl Woods
- Adjunct Associate Professor
- carl.woods@jcu.edu.au
Michael Inskip
- Senior Lecturer/AEP Clinical Educator
- michael.inskip@jcu.edu.au
Teneale McGuckin
- Senior Lecturer
- teneale.mcguckin@jcu.edu.au
Wade Sinclair
- Senior Lecturer
- wade.sinclair@jcu.edu.au
Anthony Leicht
- Head, Sport and Exercise Science
- anthony.leicht@jcu.edu.au
Brian Heilbronn
- Senior Lecturer / Clinical Educator / Clinical Placement Coordinator
- brian.heilbronn@jcu.edu.au
Fiona Barnett
- Adjunct Associate Professor
- fiona.barnett@my.jcu.edu.au
Denise Turner
- Lecturer, Sport and Exercise Science
- denise.turner@jcu.edu.au
Examining playing performance in Rugby Union via static and dynamic approaches (Old ID 26769)
Wade Sinclair
01 Mar 2020 - 31 Dec 2022
Innovative technology within elite sport has provided high performance staff with an abundance of player and team performance metrics – ‘big rugby data’. Despite the availability of this information, the crucial keys to match success in rugby union remain unknown, possibly due to the complexity of match play. This project will evaluate the complexity of elite rugby union matches by examining teams’ performance via novel sport analytics considering static and dynamic approaches. Outcomes will identify the keys to success from a micro to macro level and assist coaching staff to optimise strategies for enhanced success within rugby union.
Independent Testing of Buoyancy Aids in Situ for Surf Life Saving Australia - Phase V (Old ID 23058)
Wade Sinclair
01 Nov 2016 - 01 May 2017
Following recent amendments to Australian Standards pertaining to minimum buoyancy, this project will evaluate a range of fitted buoyancy aids adhering to the revised buoyancy standards in a fit for purpose assessment of competitive and training activities directly associated with lifesaving sport in situ in qualified surf lifesavers (youth to masters). The findings from this project will enable the sport's governing body, Surf Life Saving Australia to provide evidence based decisions and policy regarding the use of buoyancy aids for usage within lifesaving sport for competition and training purposes.
Game, Training and Individual Performance Analytics of Elite Rugby League Players (Old ID 23633)
Wade Sinclair
01 Nov 2017 - 31 Oct 2021
Evaluating training and game performances I elite sport is an information-rich environment particularly with the additional of data analytic companies providing real-time and post-competition analyses for coaching staff. Additionally, the inclusion of wearable technology and in particular, the inclusion of global positioning systems in to the elite training environment have empowered high performance personnel with an overabundance of performance data through which evidence-based evaluations can be made. However, with the inclusion of such technology in to the contemporary elite training environment, coaching staff are now faced with interpretative decisions pertaining to what metrics are suitable and under what constraints.
Optimising concurrent cognitive and physical Training in military personnel (OptiTrain) (Old ID 27134)
Anthony Leicht
29 Sep 2021 - 28 Jun 2024
The combination of different training types is common for athletes looking to improving fitness and performance however, this combination or ‘concurrent training’ may impair overall training quality and adaptations. Using the theoretical basis of concurrent training, this project will clarify the effects of concurrent cognitive and physical training on cognitive and physical performance. Project outcomes will substantially aid in the development of appropriate training and maximization of performance for military personnel. This project is being conducted as part of the Human Performance Research network (HPRnet) program of studies.
Quantifying the acute physical, cognitive and physiological responses of various training modalities in Australian Soldiers (Old ID 26736)
Brian Heilbronn
05 Feb 2020 - 31 Dec 2025
The project sets out to answer the following research question: What is the degree of stress, fatigue and recovery experienced by Australian Soldiers after bouts of occupationally specific physical activities? To answer this question, the project will develop an evidence-based assessment protocol to assess levels of fatigue and stress in Soldiers after bouts of occupationally related strenuous activities across various periods of employment. This will inform the chain of command on appropriate recovery times for different modalities of training, ensuring that soldiers remain combat-ready throughout their training cycles and minimise symptoms overtraining.
Building Capacity for Frailty management in Regional Queensland Residential Aged Care Facilities
Michael Inskip
01 Nov 2024 - 31 Jul 2025
Virtually all older adults living within aged care are at risk of becoming or are currently frail, with increased risk of adverse health outcomes. The core treatments for frailty are good nutrition, medication optimisation, and robust exercise, which was recently evaluated in the novel Frailty Reduction via Implementation of Exercise, Nutrition and Deprescribing (FRIEND) trial. This trial developed comprehensive training resources for the aged care sector. This project aims to build capacity through dissemination of this training to aged care champions across regional Queensland facilities and support them to improve frailty care and client health within their facility.
The project has two main project aims:
1. Disseminate FRIEND in an online and in-person, train-the-trainer model to build capacity of aged care champions and key regional, healthcare professionals
2. Support aged care champions to develop local facility training, and an organisational strategy for improving frailty care
The study will involve two phases:
1. Pre/post evaluation of a train-the-trainer education intervention (FRIEND website modules and an intensive one-day course on frailty management). Five strategically located RACFs across North-West Queensland will nominate an aged care champion (i.e. senior staff member) by early September to complete website training and travel to Townsville for intensive training in Late October/Early November along with local healthcare professionals (e.g. nurses, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, social workers) working within aged care.
2. Involves evaluation of the champion-led local training implementation development of an organisational strategy to improve frailty care over a six-month period. The champion will identify key implementation/leadership staff and training needs to develop a 1–2-hour training webinar and develop an organisational strategy to improve frailty management in their facility
Building Capacity for Frailty management in Regional Queensland Residential Aged Care Facilities
Michael Inskip
01 Oct 2024 - 31 Dec 2025
Virtually all older adults living within aged care are at risk of becoming or are currently frail, with increased risk of adverse health outcomes. The core treatments for frailty are good nutrition, medication optimisation, and robust exercise, which was recently evaluated in the novel Frailty Reduction via Implementation of Exercise, Nutrition and Deprescribing (FRIEND) trial. This trial developed comprehensive training resources for the aged care sector. This project aims to build capacity through dissemination of this training to aged care champions across regional Queensland facilities and support them to improve frailty care and client health within their facility.
The project has two main project aims:
1. Disseminate FRIEND in an online and in-person, train-the-trainer model to build capacity of aged care champions and key regional, healthcare professionals
2. Support aged care champions to develop local facility training, and an organisational strategy for improving frailty care
The study will involve two phases:
1. Pre/post evaluation of a train-the-trainer education intervention (FRIEND website modules and an intensive one-day course on frailty management). Five strategically located RACFs across North-West Queensland will nominate an aged care champion (i.e. senior staff member) by early September to complete website training and travel to Townsville for intensive training in Late October/Early November along with local healthcare professionals (e.g. nurses, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, social workers) working within aged care.
2. Involves evaluation of the champion-led local training implementation development of an organisational strategy to improve frailty care over a six-month period. The champion will identify key implementation/leadership staff and training needs to develop a 1–2-hour training webinar and develop an organisational strategy to improve frailty management in their facility
The identification and development of regional female rugby league players within an elite talent pathway. (Old ID 27917)
Kenji Doma
31 Jan 2023 - 31 Jul 2026
With the successful emergence of the National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) elite competition comes a necessity to better understand and prepare young women for the physical requirements needed to achieve this highest level of competition. This project will provide support to a PhD Candidate to undertake research focussing on the pathways available for young girls to progress through the elite rugby league pathway: from local and state-based competitions through to the NRLW. With a focus on the talent development environment and practices, the Candidate will conduct research whilst embedded alongside professional coaches within an elite sporting pathway.
Assessment of the Efficacy of a Brief Behaviour Intervention Designed to Improve Physical Activity in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (Old ID 20814)
Anthony Leicht
01 Jan 2014 - 31 Dec 2019
The primary aim of the current study is to assess the efficacy of a Brief Behavioural Intervention (BBI) delivered by allied health workers in health facilities to improve physical activity in patients with PAD over 24 months. Secondary aims of this study are to examine the effect of the BBI on participants functional capacity, revascularisation rate, resource use, and to perform an economic evaluation of the BBI compared to usual care.
Active Transport in the Tropics - Establishing an Agenda (Old ID 22767)
Anthony Leicht
01 Jul 2016 - 30 Jun 2017
This project will progress the vision and work of the newly formed Active Transport in the Tropics Network - a multidisciplinary academic, technical and community stakeholder group that aims to make Townsville the safest, most active, eco-friendly transport city in Australia and the tropics by 2030. We are planning a scoping study to identify current evidence and gaps in knowledge around physical activity and active transport in Townsville. This project will also involve understanding the impact of the social determinants of health on active transport. Based on this review the Network will develop a participatory action research agenda to achieve the vision with downstream, mid-stream and upstream initiatives.