Sports Injury, Sports Performance, and Activity Promotion
Our researchers collaborate with the aims of reducing the incidence of injury in sports, improving sport performance, and promoting physical activity.
About us
The Sports Injury, Sports Performance, and Activity Promotion (SISPAP) addresses research questions related to improving and sustaining enjoyable participation and achievement in physical activity.
Our members are at the forefront of research in sports performance, rehabilitation and minimising sports injuries. We focus on engagement with the community to help it's sporting population at the 'grassroots level’.
Our research
SISPAP comprises of researchers with a background in applying knowledge across a range of disciplines, including biomechanics, motor control and learning, sport psychology, nutrition, and anthropometry (not an exhaustive list). Our team has three thematic projects:
- Talent development in sports
- Sports injury prevention and rehabilitation
- Promotion of physical activity to reduce comorbidities of inactivity
Current Projects
- The talent development team led by Professor Ross Sanders conducts research on adolescent talent development in collaboration with the member schools of the NSW Sports High Schools Association: Westfields SHS, Endeavour SHS; Hills SHS, Hunter SHS, Illawarra SHS, and Matraville SHS.
- Project H2gr0w led by Associate Professor Stephen Cobley, tracks growth and maturation in adolescent swimmers and investigates the age effects in development and performance.
- Associate Professor Rhonda Orr and Dr Helen Parker are conducting performance, injury, and sports nutrition research for sporting bodies including rugby league and rugby union clubs, University of Sydney Sports Clubs, and baseball clubs locally and internationally.
- Dr Jonathan Freeston is currently working as a Sport Scientist and Research Fellow with the Cleveland Indians Major League Baseball team. This projects seeks to investigate factors affecting performance and injury risk, and to enhance the provision of evidence-based sport science among professional baseball players.
- Professor Evangelos Pappas with Dr Kerry Peek, Dr Marnee Mackay, Dr Justin Sullivan, Dr Joshua Zadro and others are conducting epidemiological, prevention and clinical research on athletic knee injuries that involve the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Dr Kerry Peek is leading a series of projects on reducing sports related head and neck injuries particularly aimed at football/soccer, rugby union and rugby league athletes. Funding support has been secured from Sports Medicine Australia and FIFA Research Scholarship Fund.
Our people
- Professor Ross Sanders
- Associate Professor Peter Sinclair
- Emeritus Professor Richard Smith
- Associate Professor Stephen Cobley
- Associate Professor Rhonda Orr
- Professor Evangelos Pappas
- Dr Alycia Fong Yan
- Dr Jonathan Freeston
- Dr Allan Fu
- Dr Janelle Gifford
- Dr Mark Halaki
- Dr Marnee Mckay
- Dr Tuguy Esgin
- Dr Kate Edwards
- Dr Helen Parker
- Dr Kerry Peek
- Dr Jane Gayson
- Dr Jordan Andersen
- Dr John Warmenhoven
- Mr Chris Papic (PhD student)
- Ms Chantelle Rigozzi (PhD student)
- Ms Jennifer Fleeton (PhD student)