School of Physical Education Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Otago

Our School's Finance Associate Bronwyn Hughes (far right) was also in a team for the Sport Otago TBI Health Tri Challenge!

University of Otago

The School recently had a team enter the Sport Otago TBI Health Tri Challenge - great effort from Dr Lara Vlietstra, Professor Sally Shaw and Associate Professor Elaine Hargreaves!

University of Otago

Congratulations to Toddy Bryant, an alumnus of the School (Honours, 2013) on his new apppointment!

Todd Bryant Announced as Cricket Wellington CEO Cricket Wellington s Board of Directors has appointed current Capital Football GM, Todd Bryant, as the new permanent...

BPhEd(Hons) 2007 graduate, Dougal Allan, is a member of the Emirates NZ Americas Cup Team as a cyclor - read and watch all about this demanding and important role and Dougal here!
https://emirates-team-new-zealand.americascup.com/en/team/296_DOUGAL-ALLAN.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqYfo1qd4s8
https://dougalallan.com/committed-to-adventure/

DOUGAL ALLAN DOUGAL ALLAN

Our School alumni are at the Paris Olympics as both athletes and support staff - read all about the work of alumni Bruce Hamilton, Tori Peeters and Dr Kylie Wilson here -

Alumni athletes and support staff set for the Paris Olympics | University of Otago Ngā mihi nui to all the Otago alumni who will be taking part in the upcoming Paris Olympics and Paralympics! The University is well represented by both competitors and staff working behind the scenes.

Congratulations to the ORCHID team!!

🏆 Huge congratulations to the team from the Otago Community Head Impact Detection (ORCHID) study, who won the Innovation Award at last week’s Sport Otago Awards!

🏉 ORCHID investigates the forces experienced by the heads of rugby players and measures those forces in real time through smart technology embedded in mouthguards.

This world-leading research is a joint project between World Rugby, Prevent Biometrics, New Zealand Rugby, Otago Rugby and the University of Otago.

Dr Melanie Bussey, Associate Professor in Biomechanics, (pictured, centre, at the Awards ceremony with some members of ORCHID project) says the team is absolutely delighted to be recognised in this way.

"This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire ORCHID team, particularly Co-Prinicipal Investigator Danielle Salmon and Lead Research Assistant Janelle Romanchuk," she says.

“Our collaboration with the Otago Rugby community, combined with the innovative technology provided by Prevent Biometrics, has been instrumental in driving this research forward.”

And their research is creating important impacts in the real world.

World Rugby has already used preliminary findings from the ORCHID study to inform trials of a lower tackle height in the community game.

And at the elite level, in a world first, World Rugby added smart mouthguards to Head Injury Assessment protocols in January this year.

“Together, we are making significant strides towards improving player safety in rugby.

"This recognition marks just the beginning of our efforts at the University of Otago, as we continue to advance our research and its real-world applications."

👏🏽 Nga mihi nui to the ORCHID team! 🎉

Last week the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences hosted the New Zealand Elite Motorsport Academy!

Athletes had the chance to participate in workshops and gain knowledge to help them in their sport careers. The week included a simulated drive in the heat chamber on campus, where athletes got to test their heat tolerance driving at temps of 42 degrees and 50% humidity! 😵‍💫🔥

More info on the week here 🔗 https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/07/13/future-kiwi-motorsport-stars-put-through-paces-at-elite-academy/

Sport NZ's graduate programme for 2025 is now open for applications - https://careers.sportnz.org.nz/graduate-jobs

Mayank came all the way from New Delhi to do a Master of Sport Development and Management at Otago! Read a bit about him here.

Sciences at University of Otago The University of Otago is New Zealand’s first university.

Our PhD student Maddie Connor is doing some really interesting research - read all about it here -

Exercising for anxiety - how much is enough? | University of Otago It’s well known that physical activity is good for mental health, but does that mean getting your heart rate up or taking it easy with a stretching session?

Current students should check this out -on today:
SportNZ IHI Aotearoa Graduate Programme 2025 - Applications OPEN now.
Join us on Mon 27 May, 1pm for a zoom session with SportNZ to learn more about their programme plus ask any questions! Recent grads Nate and Cheycoda will be sharing their experience so will be a great session to attend,
Register on CareerHub https://careerhub.otago.ac.nz/students/events/detail/1605849

Kia ora koutou! Are you over 16 and have you had a rugby-related concussion in the last 3 years?
Ruaridh (Rory) - is currently exploring how anxiety traits are related to the time it takes for rugby players to return to play following a concussion and would really appreciate your input! Please complete the survey here: https://otago.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eR4dGr5GeHm9sI6

This study has been approved by the Otago Ethics Committee, ethics number (24/026)

https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/otago-secures-spot-in-top-20-subjects-in-qs-world-rankings

Otago secures spot in top 20 subjects in QS World Rankings | University of Otago The University of Otago is the only New Zealand University to secure a placing in the world’s top 20 subjects in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Recent SPEX graduates, we need you! Help us improve, see below and click this link to contribute https://forms.office.com/r/W8fC4nKqqi

Check out this story about Professor Ken Hodge's time as Provost and his highlights

Provost role changing hands | University of Otago After serving three terms as Provost, Professor Ken Hodge is stepping down from the role to focus on his work at the School of Physical Education, Sport & Exercise Sciences. Here he talks with Laura Hewson about the challenges and rewards of his time as Provost, and answers the burning question … ...

Hands on at Otago is underway this week - Dr Neil Anderson is running some very interesting sessions at the School!

A very interesting piece highlighting the work of Professor Chris Button and Dr Carolina Burnay about the benefits of baby swimming lessons:

Baby swimming lessons: What the evidence says Explainer - Some swim schools make big claims about baby and toddler classes. Here's what the evidence says.

Check out this great story about Kobe Miller (graduate of the School) and his amazing accomplishments!

Chasing an Olympic dream | University of Otago Otago alumnus Kobe Miller (22) is targeting a place in the New Zealand rowing team at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Associate Professor Melanie Bussey is featured in this story about the Otago Community Head Impact Detection study (Orchid), an important project between World Rugby, Prevent Biometrics, New Zealand Rugby, Otago Rugby, and the University of Otago!

Groundbreaking study reveals rugby's impact on players' heads The science of rugby - revealing the truth about head forces in the game.

Associate Professor Melanie Bussey is in the news commenting about her rugby smart mouth guard research, which will detect head injuries and enhance player safety! Check it out:

Smart mouth guards being tested at WXV 1 Starting next year, professional rugby players will be mandated to use this technology to enhance safety on the field.

Professor Jim Cotter has written a very thought provoking piece on physical activity for the ODT - check it out!

The case for physical activity Movements can work for and against sustainability. Physical activity (PA) is movement for whatever purpose — taking the stairs, digging spuds, or...

Check out this interesting article including commentary from Dr Lara Vlietstra about what happens to muscles as we age -

Muscles young and old What happens to our muscles as we age? Claire Concannon finds out why muscles get weaker as we get older, and speaks with a researcher investigating why Olympic athletes live up to three years longer than the general population. Claire also meets a scientist studying what happens to muscles in child...

Check out this story about very important research and a publication by our own Postgraduate students Kane Cocker and Gabby Trotter-Dunn, as well as Professor Chris Button!

Water safety education in range of environments viable tool to reduce drownings | University of Otago Combining water safety education in both a swimming pool and open water improves children’s aquatic skills and adaptability, reducing the risk of drowning, a University of Otago-led study has found.

Here's a selection of handy pronunciation tips for you to think about and put into practice as you work te reo into your daily conversations! 💬💪 Kia kaha!

Nau mai, ki te wiki o te reo Māori! There are events on the Ōtepoti campus every day this week from 12-1pm to celebrate, starting with wharewhare (bingo) today at Te Tumu! ⬇️ Stay tuned this week for more - kia kaha te reo Māori!

Emma Gilmour posted about her involvement in our PhD student Fateme's study - read about her experience -

You too can be a ‘crash test dummy’ in Fateme’s Phd study! 😃 She is still recruiting participants that have taken part, or currently competing in motorsport. The data gathering takes about 2 hrs in Dunedin and Fateme is super lovely and very efficient. I found it very useful with data gathered from one part of the study and it’s also nice to know that this study will help with future car crash rehabilitation. If you’re interested I can pass on Fateme’s details. 😊

Current PhD student Fateme Mirzaee recently tested international rally driver Emma Gilmour as part of her PhD study - check it out below!

Watch Associate Professor Sally Shaw of the School of Physical Education, Sport & Exercise Sciences talk about the FIFA Women's World Cup in her Tiktok debut on the University of Otago Tiktok page!

TikTok · University of Otago Check out University of Otago's video.