Biomechanics of Weightlifting and Powerlifting

Established Supervisor Name: Jonathon Weakley <Jonathon.Weakley@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor Name: Michael Psarakis
Third Supervisor Name: Grant Duthie, Mark Creaby

Project Description

This project explores the biomechanics of weightlifting and powerlifting, aiming to uncover key insights into movement efficiency, force production, and potential methods of injury prevention. This project will involve the use of motion capture systems, force plates, and accelerometers to help assess biomechanical variables across various lifts. Participants will gain hands-on experience in data collection and analysis while collaborating with Dr Jonathon Weakley, Dr Michael Psarakis, Dr Mark Creaby, and A/Prof. Grant Duthie. This project is ideal for students passionate about biomechanics, strength sports, and applied sport science research.

Description of the research

The successful student will have the opportunity to contribute towards additional, ongoing projects that are investigating the biomechanics of Olympic weightlifting in national and international level athletes.

Interactions of Physiological and Cognitive Fatigue on Occupational Task Performance in Tactical Settings

Established Supervisor: Dr Patrick Campbell (Established Supervisor SPRINT) <Patrick.Campbell@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Dr Daniel Chalkley (emerging supervisor SPRINT)
Third Supervisor Name: Mr Michael Rigney (emerging supervisor not in an established research group)

Project Description

This project examines how physiological and cognitive fatigue interact under operationally relevant stressors, including environmental extremes, carrying load, and behavioural demands; and how these combined effects influence task performance. Particular emphasis will be placed on cognitive fatigue and situation awareness, both of which underpin safe and effective task execution under fatigue. By applying innovative assessment methods to capture cognitive performance in context, the project seeks to better contextualise fatigue and task performance. The outcomes will inform strategies to mitigate fatigue-related errors, improve task readiness, and support the long-term health and wellbeing of tactical personnel.

Description of the research

In addition to their Honours thesis, students will have the opportunity to participate in an optional research internship aligned with the ACU National Centre for Veterans & Families. This experience is designed to enhance readiness for future HDR study and industry research engagement. Activities may include assisting in qualitative and quantitative data analysis on connected centre projects, supporting survey development and participant recruitment, or contributing to knowledge translation materials tailored for policymakers and community partners. Students may also help plan research network events, contribute to collaborative projects with defence and veteran organisations, or shadow researchers in project management activities.

Linking Physical Performance to Injury Risk in Queensland Rugby League Women’s Players

Established Supervisor: Dr Patrick Campbell (Established Supervisor  SPRINT) <Patrick.Campbell@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Dr Matthew Jeffriess
Third Supervisor Name: Dr Chris McCosker

Project Description

This project will investigate how physical performance characteristics, such as strength, speed, power, and endurance, may be linked to injury risk in women’s rugby league. Using performance testing alongside injury records from QRL pathways athletes, the study will examine whether certain qualities or imbalances increase players’ exposure to injury. The research will add to the limited evidence base on injury risk factors in women’s collision sports. For QRL, the findings will guide screening and targeted injury-prevention programs, supporting medical and coaching staff to proactively address risk factors and better protect athletes’ health and availability for competition.

Description of the research

In addition to their Honours thesis, students will have the opportunity to participate in an optional research internship aligned with QRL player & referee-affiliated programs. This experience is designed to enhance readiness for future HDR study and professional research engagement. Activities may include assisting with physical performance testing, collecting and analysing GPS and match data, supporting the coordination of on-field training sessions with QRL-affiliated players and referees, and engaging with project management tasks within the research team. Students may also contribute to translation materials for end-users, developing applied outputs that directly inform QRL practices. Participation is encouraged but not mandatory.

Linking Physical Qualities to Tackle Technique in Queensland Rugby League Women’s Pathway Athletes

Established Supervisor: Dr Chris McCosker <Chris.McCosker@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Dr Patrick Campbell
Third Supervisor Name: Dr Matthew Jeffriess

Project Description

This project will examine how key physical qualities such as strength, speed, acceleration, and power relate to tackle technique characteristics in women’s rugby league. Using data from Queensland Rugby League (QRL) women’s pathways athletes, the study will analyse measures of tackle technique (e.g., body position, contact effectiveness, post-contact outcomes) and link them to players’ physical testing profiles. By identifying which physical qualities underpin effective tackle technique, the findings will provide new insights into performance determinants in female collision sports. Outcomes will support QRL coaches in refining training priorities to enhance player safety, tackle effectiveness, and overall match performance.

Description of the research

In addition to their Honours thesis, students will have the opportunity to participate in an optional research internship aligned with QRL player & referee-affiliated programs. This experience is designed to enhance readiness for future HDR study and professional research engagement. Activities may include assisting with physical performance testing, collecting and analysing GPS and match data, supporting the coordination of on-field training sessions with QRL-affiliated players and referees, and engaging with project management tasks within the research team. Students may also contribute to translation materials for end-users, developing applied outputs that directly inform QRL practices. Participation is encouraged but not mandatory.

Physical Performance Profiles Across the Queensland Rugby League Women’s Pathway

Established Supervisor: Dr Patrick Campbell <Patrick.Campbell@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Dr Chris McCosker
Third Supervisor Name: Dr Matthew Jeffriess

Project Description

This project will analyse the improvement in physical performance qualities longitudinally as athletes progress across the QRL development pathways. Attributes such as speed, strength, power, and aerobic fitness will be considered alongside training history and competitive experience. By profiling athletes across stages of the pathway, the study will highlight performance trends and identify areas of improvement for training strategies. This research will provide insights into long-term athlete development within women’s rugby league. For QRL, the outcomes will support talent identification and athlete progression planning, clarifying which qualities are critical for advancement to higher competition levels.

Description of the research

In addition to their Honours thesis, students will have the opportunity to participate in an optional research internship aligned with QRL player & referee-affiliated programs. This experience is designed to enhance readiness for future HDR study and professional research engagement. Activities may include assisting with physical performance testing, collecting and analysing GPS and match data, supporting the coordination of on-field training sessions with QRL-affiliated players and referees, and engaging with project management tasks within the research team. Students may also contribute to translation materials for end-users, developing applied outputs that directly inform QRL practices. Participation is encouraged but not mandatory.

Quantifying the Movement Demands of Queensland Rugby League Women’s Players

Established Supervisor: Dr Chris McCosker <Chris.McCosker@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Dr Patrick Campbell
Third Supervisor Name: Dr Matthew Jeffriess

Project Description

This project will quantify how movement patterns arise in women’s rugby league by analysing GPS and time-motion data from Queensland Rugby League (QRL) pathway athletes across positions and competition levels. Measures such as high-intensity running, total distance, collisions, and repeated sprint demands will be examined to build a detailed understanding of the game’s physical requirements. This research will contribute to the growing body of knowledge on women’s sport by providing competition-specific benchmarks. Practically, the outcomes will enable QRL staff to design training and conditioning programs that more accurately reflect the demands of match play, enhancing athlete preparation and performance.

Description of the research

In addition to their Honours thesis, students will have the opportunity to participate in an optional research internship aligned with QRL player & referee-affiliated programs. This experience is designed to enhance readiness for future HDR study and professional research engagement. Activities may include assisting with physical performance testing, collecting and analysing GPS and match data, supporting the coordination of on-field training sessions with QRL-affiliated players and referees, and engaging with project management tasks within the research team. Students may also contribute to translation materials for end-users, developing applied outputs that directly inform QRL practices. Participation is encouraged but not mandatory.

Determinants of Performance in Change of Direction Tasks in World-Class Female Field Sport Athletes

Established Supervisor: Dr. Mark W. Creaby <Mark.Creaby@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Dr. Vaughan Nicholson (School of Allied Health, representing a multi-disciplinary collaboration)
Third Supervisor Name: Dr. Jonothan Weakley

Project Description

Change of direction tasks (CODs) are a core component of most field sports, with faster completion times of these skills associated with winning games. Studies in a range of athletic populations completing pre-planned CODs have identified a range of biomechanical variables associated with performance outcomes, but findings differ across studies, with most limited to male athletes. This project will lean on existing collaborations to examine the relationship between COD performance and joint-level biomechanics in World-Class female athletes. Findings will assist in identifying modifiable factors that team performance staff can leverage to improve performance outcomes in their athletes. Students with a keen interest in biomechanics, data analytics and applied sport science research will be well suited to this project, incorporating data collection, analysis, and communication of findings with industry partners.

Description of the research

The successful student would have the opportunity to contribute towards the analysis of biomechanical data collected as part of a larger collaboration with a national representative team and governing body. This will include analyses of other sports specific skills, and training in modelling muscle and joint forces during these exercises.

Body Composition Changes During the Off-Season in Elite Female Rugby League Athletes

Established Supervisor: Rich Johnston  <Richard.Johnston@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Carissa Gardiner
Third Supervisor Name: Alannah McKay

Project Description

Elite female rugby league players (NRLW) have a prolonged off-season, which can last from November to May prior to beginning pre-season training. During this period, it is unclear if body composition changes, particularly reductions in muscle mass, which may negatively impact performance or injury risk. Players will undergo body composition assessments using Dual-Xray Absorptiometry (DXA) scans as their normal screening within the Jillaroos camp. The assessments will occur at the end of the 2025 season and at the start of the 2026 pre-season period. Results will help form normative values for elite female players and future research directions.

Description of the research

Students will have the opportunity to assist the DXA technician with body composition assessments and spend time with the Jillaroos in the build-up to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. During these camps, they will be immersed with performance, coaching and medical staff and aid in the collection of routine performance and wellbeing data. These data will include tracking of training loads using GPS, sleep assessments using Oura Rings and perceptual wellbeing measures.

Built for the Game: Profiling Physical Traits Across Rugby’s Elite Pathway

Established Supervisor: Jonathon Weakley <Jonathon.Weakley@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Vaughan Nicholson
Third Supervisor Name: NA

Project Description

This project investigates the physical profiles of Australian Rugby players across different playing levels, including international, Super Rugby, and domestic competitions. By analysing key anthropometric and performance metrics, the study aims to identify distinguishing physical qualities that align with coach-identified priorities for selection and development. The findings will help inform talent identification and training strategies across the elite pathway. Students with interests in athlete profiling, performance testing, and applied sport science will be well suited to this project, which includes access to national-level datasets and collaboration with practitioners in high-performance environments.

Description of the research

In addition to the core project, the student will have the opportunity to undertake a research internship alongside the Head of Sport Science at Rugby Australia. This experience will involve contributing to ongoing performance analysis initiatives, gaining exposure to elite athlete monitoring systems, and supporting the translation of research findings into applied practice.

From Club to Country: A GPS-Based Analysis of Rugby Match Demands in Australian Rugby

Established Supervisor: Jonathon Weakley <Jonathon.Weakley@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Vaughan Nicholson
Third Supervisor Name: NA

Project Description

To enhance understanding of match demands across competition levels, this project investigates GPS-derived external load metrics from international, Super Rugby, and Australian Super Rugby matches. Despite widespread GPS use, limited research has compared positional and competition-level differences in movement profiles, intensity zones, and peak demands. This project will quantify and contrast key performance indicators to inform training prescription and athlete monitoring practices. Students with interests in performance analysis, applied sport science, and data analytics will be well suited to this project, which includes hands-on experience with GPS data processing, statistical modelling, and collaboration with elite rugby environments.

Description of the research

As part of this project, the student will have the opportunity to collaborate with the Head of Sport Science at Rugby Australia. This internship will support the broader investigation by providing exposure to elite performance environments and hands-on experience in GPS data analysis, contributing to the translation of research findings into applied practice.

Using AI and POSE Analysis to Estimate Ground Reaction Forces in Running

Established Supervisor: Associate Professor Grant Duthie <Grant.Duthie@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Dr Mark Moresi
Third Supervisor Name: Mr Louis Dennison

Project Description

This project will investigate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision–based POSE analysis to estimate ground reaction forces (GRFs) during running. The study will be conducted at the Blacktown Exercise and Sport Technology (BEST) Hub biomechanics laboratory, which is equipped with in-ground force plates to provide gold-standard GRF measurements. Participants will complete running trials over the force plates while being simultaneously recorded on video. POSE analysis will be applied to the video data to extract kinematic information. This POSE data will then be used to train an AI model to estimate GRFs, with the in-ground force plate data serving as the ground truth for model development and validation. 

The project will focus on: 
- Developing and training an algorithm to predict GRFs from POSE-derived kinematic data 
- Evaluating the accuracy of the algorithm against measured GRFs 
- Calculating braking and propulsive forces during running. 

Previous research has demonstrated that similar systems can accurately quantify contact time and flight time. This project represents a logical progression toward estimating more complex kinetic variables using accessible video-based methods.

Description of the research

The successful student will gain experience in: 
- Biomechanical data collection using force plates and high-speed video
- POSE estimation techniques and computer vision methods
- AI model development, training, and validation
- Data analysis and interpretation in applied sports biomechanics. 

If successful, this approach could provide a cost-effective and portable method for estimating GRFs in field settings, expanding the accessibility of advanced biomechanical analysis for coaches, athletes, and practitioners.

Quantifying High-Speed Efforts of Rugby League Training and Competition

Established Supervisor: Rich Johnston <Richard.Johnston@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Chris McCosker
Third Supervisor Name: Patrick Campbell

Project Description

This project will aim to quantify and understand the nature of high-speed efforts in competition and training. Specifically, we will be using GPS data to capture how frequently these effects occur, what the entering velocity is, how long they are, what context do they occur in, do they change across a match. We will then explore whether they are linked to any injury outcomes or performance outcomes. This project will develop your ability to use various sport technologies and software such as Catapult Openfield, Catapult Focus, and develop your data analysis skills using coding languages like R and Python. This project will suit students keen on developing the coding, analytical and research skills.

Description of the research

The students will have the ability to work alongside Brisbane Broncos sport science staff in collecting, managing and analysing training and match data.

Quantifying Directional Movement Demands of Rugby League Training and Competition

Established Supervisor: Associate Professor Rich Johnston <Richard.Johnston@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Dr Chris McCosker
Third Supervisor Name: Patrick Campbell

Project Description

The project will be embedded within the Brisbane Broncos academy and will look to understand whether wearable tracking devices worn by players can quantify the direction of travel players are moving during training and competition. This will allow for training specificity to be improved to reflect the match demands of rugby league competition.

Description of the research

The student will be embedded within the Brisbane Broncos academy, where they will be able to collect data during training sessions to inform coaches and performance staff on player workloads both during and following each session. As such, they will gain practical experience within an elite sporting organisation.

The Role of Stroke Rate on Rowing Technique and Biomechanical Output

Established Supervisor: Nirav Maniar <Nirav.Maniar@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Natalie Legge
Third Supervisor Name: N/A

Project Description

As part of an established project, this honours project will involve an established SPRINT researcher, an ACU researcher who specialises in rowing biomechanics and technique and an industry partner, the NSW Institute of Sport. Rowing Instrumentation Systems are used to assess rowing technique using a specialised equipment that measures force, stroke length, boat velocity and boat acceleration. The student will be provided with a dataset of high ecological validity to analyse and address the research question as well as an opportunity to collect their own raw data to expose the student to the entire original research process. A large proportion of rowing training is completed at lower stroke rates, around 20 strokes per minute (spm), while racing stroke rate can more than double at 40 spm. It is important to understand the effect of stroke rate on rowing technique as technical differences may have implications for training. The aim of this project is establish if and how rowing technique may change from low to high stroke rate in junior and elite rowers.

Description of the research

This research project will provide the honours student with an opportunity to development skills using a specialised biomechanical system in a field-based setting measuring forces, angles, and speed to evaluate rowing technique. The student will be given the opportunity to participate in meetings with NSWIS as the key industry partner to ensure end-user driven research. The student will gain an understanding of discrete and time series data analysis and begin to develop data analytic skills using R. These skills are relevant in many areas of sport and exercise research and can provide the honours student with a base of knowledge to progress to future HDR research opportunities.

Exploring Coaches' Intuition and Athlete Testing in Talent Identification: A Pilot Study

Established Supervisor: Professor Gert-Jan Pepping <gert-jan.pepping@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Dr Daniel Chalkley
Third Supervisor Name: N/A

Project Description

This project will investigate the alignment between coaches’ intuitive evaluations and standardised athlete performance metrics within talent identification programs. Focusing on junior athletes from Olympic and Paralympic sports, the study will examine how subjective coaching insights compare to data-driven assessments in predicting athletic potential. The research will provide foundational insights to refine talent identification methods and enhance the integration of objective and subjective approaches in athlete selection processes.

Description of the research internship opportunity

The student will have the opportunity to collaborate with affiliated research projects within the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Talent and Coaching team. They will engage with ongoing research, including athlete testing protocols, qualitative data analysis of coaching evaluations, and talent development strategies. Internship activities may involve hands-on experience with athlete testing, contributing to data analysis pipelines, or preparing reports for QAS stakeholders. Students will also have opportunities to shadow experts in skill acquisition and coaching science to build a network and gain practical skills for HDR readiness.

Biomechanical Demand of Weightlifting Derivatives

Established Supervisor: Dr. Mark Creaby <Mark.Creaby@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Dr. Daniel Chalkley
Third Supervisor Name: Dr. Jonathon Weakley

Project Description

To optimise strength training in team sports athletes, variations of weightlifting are used to accentuate some components of the lift whilst removing others. Despite the frequent use of this approach, there is limited understanding of the inter-lift and inter-individual differences in biomechanical demand. This project will explore the differences in external and internal biomechanical demand of weightlifting derivatives commonly used in team sports athletes to enable strength and conditioning coaches to make informed decisions regarding the most appropriate exercises for their athletes. Students with a keen interest in biomechanics, motor learning and applied sport science research will be well suited to this project, incorporating hands-on experience in data collection and analysis.

Description of the research internship opportunity

The successful student would have the opportunity to contribute towards the analysis of biomechanical data collected during a range of resistance training and weightlifting exercises in both competitive lifting and team sports athletes, specifically to receive training in and to mathematically model muscle and joint forces during these exercises.

Validity of Athlete Tracking Microtechnology Proprietary Gait Metrics

Established Supervisor: Prof Stuart Cormack <Stuart.Cormack@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Mark Moresi
Third Supervisor Name: Grant Duthie

Project Description

Recent research conducted in the SPRINT Research Centre has demonstrated that microtechnology devices such as Global Navigation Satellite System Units (GNSS) with embed Inertial Measurement Units (IMU’s) commonly worn by team sport athletes can be used to derive valid and reliable gait variables such as contact time, flight time, step time and vertical ground reaction force. Furthermore, these units have been demonstrated to be able to detect fatigue related changes in running gait through variables such as vertical stiffness. These advances allow detailed gait analysis in the field although are not currently available in the software provided by microtechnology companies. However, the software provided by companies does report variables that are supposedly representations of gait such as number of footstrikes and a range of other metrics but the validity and reliability of these metrics is unclear. The aim of this work is to compare these proprietary metrics to validated gait measures during running.

Description of the research internship opportunity

A student undertaking this research would have the opportunity to assist/be exposed to other projects in the SPRINT Research Centre. This would include research involving a range of technologies used in High Performance Sport (e.g. force plates, accelerometers etc.) in addition to the potential for development of skills for data analysis such as coding in R.

Biomechanics of Weightlifting and Powerlifting

Established Supervisor: Jonathon Weakley <Jonathon.Weakley@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Michael Psarakis
Third Supervisor Name: Grant Duthie, Mark Creaby

Project Description

This project explores the biomechanics of weightlifting and powerlifting, aiming to uncover key insights into movement efficiency, force production, and potential methods of injury prevention. This project will involve the use of motion capture systems, force plates, and accelerometers to help assess biomechanical variables across various lifts. Participants will gain hands-on experience in data collection and analysis while collaborating with Dr Jonathon Weakley, Dr Michael Psarakis, Dr Mark Creaby, and A/Prof. Grant Duthie. This project is ideal for students passionate about biomechanics, strength sports, and applied sport science research.

Description of the research internship opportunity

The successful student will have the opportunity to contribute towards additional, ongoing projects that are investigating the biomechanics of Olympic weightlifting in national and international level athletes.