The conference explored the latest research across topics including high performance sport, medicine and rehabilitation.
How athletes can beat the heat in Tokyo to exploring the effects of a menstrual cycle phase on female rugby athletes' physical performance and iron status, were among the research topics explored at the recent Sport and Exercise Science New Zealand Conference.
The annual conference was hosted at Massey University’s Manawatū campus and attended by more than 120 academics, researchers and students from around New Zealand and the world. They were also joined by trainers from the New Zealand Defence Force, Police and high-performance sports organisations.
Focusing on emerging research and showcasing the work and findings of students, topics included high performance sport, coaching, physiology, strength and conditioning, nutrition and metabolism and sports medicine and rehabilitation.
Professor Narihiko of Kobe University in Japan was one of the keynote speakers.
“It is so important to bring researchers and students together to share ideas, collaborate and inspire the sports scientists of the future,” says School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition head of school Associate Professor Andy Foskett.
“We are proud to showcase our expertise, capabilities and capacity in sports exercise science through this conference and bring leading researchers from around the world to further attendees’ knowledge.”
Global perspectives
Chair of the Athletics Integrity Unit David Howman was the conference’s first keynote speaker.
Mr Howman, former director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency, gave a global perspective of some of the major challenges threatening the integrity of sport, from doping to bribery and corruption, match fixing and more.
“These issues deplete the value of sport and we need to realise how these areas are being attacked internationally,” Mr Howman says.
“We have an opportunity as New Zealanders to lead in the area of sports integrity. We are known globally for our good reputation, for saying it how it is. We do not have an agenda and we as a country and people can play a leading role maintaining sport integrity, internationally.”
The following international keynote speakers were brought to the conference with support from conference sponsors.
- David Howman CNZM chair of the Athletics Integrity Unit (IAAF)
- Research Associate Professor Jason Lee Yong Loo Lin – School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
- Professor Narihiko Kondo, Kobe University
- Distinguished Professor Aaron Coutts, University of Technology Sydney
- Dr Andy Cooke Bangor, University Wales