Human movement students discuss hot topics

University of Queensland postgraduate human movement studies students showcased their research at the 2011 Postgraduate Research Conference held at North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay Research Station recently.

The conference, which has been held annually for the last 10 years, featured presentations on a range of human movement research topics including exercise and cancer treatments, work place physical activity, coaches' learning and knowledge, motivation in sports, and sport injury.

PhD student Yun-Chi Hung said the conference provided an opportunity to bring together all postgraduate human movement disciplines in one event for students from UQ, and other universities and organisations.

“Each year the conference provides a fantastic opportunity for postgraduate students like me to present research to our peers in a conference setting, providing an important platform for us to share our work in the community and learn from the experience,” she said.

“During the conference we encourage the audience to provide feedback on individual presentations, which helps students enhance their personal presentation skills and improve their research work.”

Head of the Human Movement Studies School, Professor Doune Macdonald, congratulated the conference organisers on the success of the event.

“This conference is an effective platform for encouraging postgraduate students to develop their skills in a supportive, non-threatening environment, providing an invaluable experience for participants,” Professor Macdonald said.

More than 46 postgraduate students and academic staff from UQ, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Griffith, and Australian Catholic University (ACU) attended this year’s conference.

The event was sponsored by the UQ School of Human Movement Studies, Sports Medicine Australia (Qld Branch), APS College of Sport and Exercise Psychologists, and Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

Five prizes were awarded to students who excelled in their presentations:

Sports Medicine Australia (Queensland Branch) Award for the Best Conference Presentation
Presenter: Matthew Pink
Title: The impact of the Future in Youth (FIY) Soccer program (East Timor) on the antecedents of motivation in local coaches

APS College of Sport and Exercise Psychologists Award for Best Conference Presentation in the field of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Presenter: Rachel Jones
Title: Conquering the next level: what does it take to be an elite rugby league player?

Exercise and Sport Science Australia Award for Best Conference Presentation in the field of Exercise Science and Health
Presenter: Kate Bolam
Title: The effect of high-impact exercise on the bone health of community-dwelling older men: a randomised controlled trial

School of Human Movement Studies Award for Best Conference Presentation in the field of Sport Science
Presenter: Phillip Melville
Title: Femoroacetabular impingement in water polo players

School of Human Movement Studies Award for Best Conference Presentation in the field of Pedagogy and Socio-cultural Studies
Presenter: Sally Coore
Title: Mind the Gap: Knowledge vs. Practice. Using Health Literacy as a Tool for Healthy Citizenship

Media: For more information call or email Caroline Day (07 3365 6764, caroline.day@uq.edu.au)