STUDENTS DISCOVER THE SECRET TO SPORTING SUCCESS Earlier this year, 170 secondary school students and their teachers were introduced to a field of science that contributes to athletic success around the world, but of which the public is rarely aware: biomechanics. Kelly Sheerin – lecturer in Sports Biomechanics at AUT’s School of Sport and Recreation, and manager of AUT’s Sports Performance Clinics – explains, “Biomechanics is the science behind the way we move, and despite being relatively unknown beyond scientific and sporting circles, it can be a key driver for athletes finding that last few percent in their performance.” Over a series of interactive workshops, Sheerin and his colleagues introduced the students to the many ways that biomechanics can be used to optimise sports performance and prevent injury. High-profile athletes including NZ Breakers player Mika Vukona and Auckland City Football team members were also on hand to discuss their personal experiences and to show biomechanics in action. In addition to demystifying the science, the workshops also provided a valuable insight into potential career opportunities. Discovering that many staff, students and researchers at AUT’s School of Sport and Recreation work with elite and professional teams and athletes, was an eye-opener for the workshop attendees. But as Sheerin explains, “Biomechanics can take you right to the coal face of working with athletes, coaches, and other medical and support staff. Even if you’re not an Olympic athlete yourself, biomechanics could be your ticket to the games.”
GUEST COLUMNIST, PROFESSOR MARK ORAMS’ PERSPECTIVE Nationally recognised as a leader in sport and exercise science, AUT’s School of Sport and Recreation has recently been ranked amongst the world’s top 30 by one of the most influential and widely observed university measures (the Shanghai Ranking). What lies behind this success? We believe it’s our strong focus on students, applied research and on forging industry partnerships. Our recent involvement in the National Biomechanics Day (covered in the article above) is a great example of the School’s ability to successfully partner with industry - and contribute to young people’s education. But it’s far from the only example.
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Feedback from students and teachers attending the AUT workshops has been overwhelmingly positive, and AUT’s School of Sport and Recreation is looking forward to introducing biomechanics to a whole new group of students again next year. NBD New Zealand is a collaboration between Massey University (the lead organiser), AUT, the University of Auckland, the University of Canterbury, the University of Otago, the University of Waikato and the government’s A Nation of Curious Minds – He Whenua Hihiri/Te Mahara project (funded by MBIE’s Unlocking Curious Minds Contestable Fund).
Professor Mark Orams
Head of AUT’s School of Sport and Recreation Associate Dean, AUT Millennium Ambassador, World Masters Games 2017
Behind the scenes, many of our students worked for the Games’ organising authority, and many other students and staff from the School played a key role as event volunteers. In addition, a number of our undergraduate Bachelor of Sport and Recreation students have been engaged in practical industry placements associated with the Games as part of their studies.
The stated goal of this international event was to encourage participation in sport throughout life.
The School has recently played an active role in the World Masters Games 2017. Recognised by the International Olympic Committee, this is the largest participant sporting event New Zealand has ever hosted, with 28,000 participants from over 130 countries. And it’s an event that the School has whole-heartedly supported.
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These popular AUT workshops were run as part of New Zealand’s first National Biomechanics Day (NBD), which saw a range of events held simultaneously at universities across the country. Initially an American initiative, NBD is now celebrated by thousands of students and teachers in countries including Australia, the UK, Canada and Brazil.
During the Games, AUT Millennium hosted the sports of swimming, weightlifting and athletics, while AUT North Campus played host to basketball. And as participants in the Games, School staff members competed in an impressive array of sporting fields – from sailing, waka-ama, ocean swimming and surf-life saving, to hockey, football and table tennis – with a number finishing in podium-topping positions. I am immensely proud of the many staff who competed in the Games, showing their enduring passion for sport and leading by example in making sport a life-long pastime. Issue 77 - June 2017 www.channelmag.co.nz
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The stated goal of this international event was to encourage participation in sport throughout life. This is a sentiment echoed by the School and is very much in evidence in our research and delivery of programmes designed to improve the quality of life for older people.
Our contributions in this area include involvement in AUT’s Active Ageing Research Group (working with older people to live well), PhD and other leading research, and the development and delivery of the Never2Old programme (an easy-to-follow exercise and fitness programme for New Zealanders aged 60 and over). Our School’s vision is to improve lives through positive involvement in sport and recreation. We do this through delivering outstanding educational experiences for our students, conducting world-leading research that makes a difference, and by facilitating and advocating for people to lead active, fulfilling and healthy lives.