Sports Science Lab's research and projects
Partnering with high-performance athletes and local communities to understand and enhance the benefits of sport, exercise, and movement.
Research undertaken by the University of Waikato @ Home of Cycling combines theory and practice to improve the health, well-being and performance of a wide variety of user groups. Working alongside youth, seniors, individuals, athletes, teams, whanau, communities and organisations, we aim to understand and enhance the performance and enjoyment that people can derive from sport, exercise and movement.
Our current research involve the Faculty of Health, Sport and Human Performance, as well as Faculties of Science and Engineering (FSE), Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) and Computing and Mathematical Science (FCMS).
We partner with the high performance sport community to research innovative, cutting edge solutions that underpin the on-going challenge to be world class.
We also partner with local communities and organisations to understand the role that sport, exercise and movement plays in peoples’ lives.
Latest projects
Revbox Cycling Trainer Mobile App
Collaborators: Joe McQuillan and Revbox
Other faculties: Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Wireless Data Transfer at the Grassroots Trust Velodrome
Collaborators: Craig Scoon (University of Waikato student), Associate Professor Steve Jones and Joe McQuillan (University of Waikato).
Other faculties: Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences (link to Revbox)
Designing Performance Tests for Elite Netballers
Sporting organisations involved: Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic Netball Franchise
Collaborators: Shannon O’Donnell (University of Waikato PhD student), Dr. Matt Driller (University of Waikato), Julie Fitzgerald (Magic Head Coach), Sam Chambers (HPSNZ)
The Validity of the Cyclus Cycle Ergometer and the Stages Power Meter in Measuring Power Output in Cycling
Sporting organisations involved: Cycling NZ were supportive of this project and aided in the recruitment of participants for the study.
Collaborators: Shem Rodger (Masters student), Joe McQuillan, Dr. Matt Driller (University of Waikato), Dr. Dan Plews (Rowing NZ).
Other faculties: Dr Michael Cree and technician Ian Honey (Faculty of Sciences and Engineering) have been involved with the development of the software program required to collect data from the lab equipment.
Critical examination of the socio-cultural, psychological and economic significance of the Te Awa River Ride for local and regional sense of community
Collaborators: TBC (University of Waikato PhD Scholarship student), Dr Holly Thorpe (University of Waikato), Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust.
Applied nutrition
The Effect of Ketone Supplementation on Cycling Performance
Sporting organisations involved: High Performance Sport NZ
Collaborators: Shem Rodger (Masters student), Joe McQuillan and Dr. Matt Driller (University of Waikato), Dr. Dan Plews (Rowing NZ), Ass. Prof. Paul Laursen (HPSNZ)
Influence of Beetroot Juice Ingestion on Cognitive and Physiological Aspects of Elderly Performance
Sporting organisations involved: Sport Waikato and the staff of the Grassroots Trust Velodrome Life Fitness Zone have been approached to aid in the recruitment of elderly volunteers.
Collaborators: Luke Thomson (University of Waikato under-graduate student), Prof. Rich Masters, Dr. Matt Driller and Joe McQuillan (University of Waikato).
An Individualised Approach to Sodium Bicarbonate Loading in Elite Track Cyclists
Sporting organisations involved: Cycling NZ, HPSNZ
Collaborators: Dr. Matt Driller and Joe McQuillan (University of Waikato), Alex Popple (HPSNZ), Anthony Peden (Cycling NZ coach), Damian Wiseman (Cycling NZ scientist) Other faculties: N/A
Environmental Exercise Physiology
Heat Acclimation – Short Term Heat Acclimation to Improve Cycling Performance
Sporting organisations involved: Cycling New Zealand, Para-cycling New Zealand
Collaborators: Joe McQuillan (University of Waikato), Ross Machefski (Junior Coach, Cycling NZ), Jono Hailstone and Brendon Cameron (Para-cycling NZ).
Health
Identification of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
Sporting organisations involved: Triathlon New Zealand, High Performance Sport New Zealand
Collaborators: Triathlon NZ Project – Joe McQuillan (University of Waikato), Ien Hellemans (Triathlon NZ)
Sleep and recovery
Sleep, Mood, Reaction Time and Physical Performance in Elite Netballers
Sporting organisations involved: Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic Netball Franchise
Collaborators: Shannon O’Donnell (Summer Scholar/PhD student), Dr. Matt Driller (University of Waikato), Julie Fitzgerald (Magic Head Coach), Sam Chambers (HPSNZ)
Other faculties: A Computer Science Summer Scholarship was involved with developing a smart phone application that was used in this study to monitor reaction time and mood on a daily basis.
The Effect of Intermittent, Sequential, Pneumatic Compression on Recovery in Highly Trained Triathletes
Sporting organisations involved: Triathlon NZ were supportive of this project and aided in the recruitment of participants for the study.
Collaborators: Shannon O’Donnell (Honours student), Dr. Matt Driller
Socio-cultural
Fit for Sleep
An examination of various user-groups’ experiences. Seeking athletes with a public instagram profile Researcher looks for key to successful migration
Have you moved to Cambridge for your sport?
Critical examination of the socio-cultural, psychological and economic significance of the Te Awa River Ride for local and regional sense of community
Collaborators: TBC (University of Waikato PhD Scholarship student), Dr Holly Thorpe (University of Waikato), Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust.
High Performance Flexible Study Project (SiF Project 2015-2016)
Collaborators: TBC (University of Waikato PhD Scholarship student), Dr Clive Pope and Dr Holly Thorpe (University of Waikato).
Critical examination of the socio-cultural, psychological and economic significance of the Te Awa River Ride for local and regional sense of community
Collaborators: TBC (University of Waikato PhD Scholarship student), Dr Holly Thorpe (University of Waikato), Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust
Technology and validity
The Validity of the Cyclus Cycle Ergometer and the Stages Power Meter in Measuring Power Output in Cycling
Sporting organisations involved: Cycling NZ were supportive of this project and aided in the recruitment of participants for the study.
Collaborators: Shem Rodger (Masters student), Joe McQuillan, Dr. Matt Driller (University of Waikato), Dr. Dan Plews (Rowing NZ).
Other faculties: Dr Michael Cree and technician Ian Honey (Faculty of Sciences and Engineering) have been involved with the development of the software program required to collect data from the lab equipment.
Designing Performance Tests for Elite Netballers
Sporting organisations involved: Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic Netball Franchise
Collaborators: Shannon O’Donnell (University of Waikato PhD student), Dr. Matt Driller (University of Waikato), Julie Fitzgerald (Magic Head Coach), Sam Chambers (HPSNZ)
Wireless Data Transfer at the Grassroots Trust Velodrome
Collaborators: Craig Scoon (University of Waikato student), Associate Professor Steve Jones and Joe McQuillan (University of Waikato).
Other faculties: Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences (link to Revbox)
Revbox Cycling Trainer Mobile App
Collaborators: Joe McQuillan and Revbox
Other faculties: Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering