School of Sport and Recreation - Te Kura Hākinakina
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Research in the School of Sport and Recreation covers sport and activity-related areas, as well as performance, nutrition, coaching and human potential. AUT is the home of New Zealand's top sport and fitness facility, AUT Millennium, and the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) is New Zealand’s number one sports research institute.
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- ItemExploring Consumption of Ultra‐Processed Foods and Diet Quality in the Context of Popular Low Carbohydrate and Plant‐Based Dietary Approaches(Wiley, 2024-10-22) De La Motte, Kayla‐Anne Lenferna; Campbell, Jessica L; Zinn, CarynThis study investigates diet quality across four popular dietary patterns: Ketogenic Diet, Low‐Carbohydrate Healthy‐Fat, Vegetarian, and Vegan, employing the NOVA and Human Interference Scoring System (HISS) classification systems. Utilizing a modified Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and analyzing 168 participants' dietary habits, the research identifies notable differences in dietary quality among the dietary patterns. While all groups reported lower consumption of UPFs than the general population, plant‐based diets demonstrated higher UPF consumption than ketogenic and low carbohydrate diets. The study reveals that both NOVA and HISS effectively identify UPFs, with significant differences observed at various processing levels, except for UPFs where both systems showed similarity. This research contributes to the detailed understanding of diet quality within popular dietary patterns, highlighting the importance of considering food processing in dietary choices and the need for ongoing research to further elucidate the health implications of different types of UPFs.
- ItemMenstrual Cycle Characteristics, Hormonal Contraceptive Use, and Perceptions of Related Effects in Resistance-Trained Athletes(SAGE Publications, 2024-02-08) SantaBarbara, K; Helms, E; Armour, M; Harris, NThere has been an increased interest in the effects the menstrual cycle (MC) may have on sports performance. As a part of the MC, many females experience a wide range of symptoms related to hormonal fluctuations and menstrual bleeding, including physical pain and mood disturbances. Currently, there is a lack of data on the MCs of females who participate in resistance training. The dearth of information on the regular MC in female athletes may lead to poorly informed training recommendations which may be detrimental for female athletic advancement. The purpose of this survey was to determine the average MC characteristics, hormonal contraceptive (HC) use and perceived effects of the MC on training in resistance-trained athletes, and to determine if there are differences in these variables when comparing recreationally trained women to competitive-level athletes. A survey addressing questions about the MC, HC use and perceived effects of the MC was accessed by 906 participants who self-identified as resistance-trained athletes. Resistance-trained athletes, competitive or not, experience MCs similar to data on other exercising females and the general population. MC symptoms are widespread and, for some, can be quite severe and limiting. Competitive athletes were not more likely to experience MC irregularities than non-competitive females. Nearly half of the participants reported using HCs. Most participants perceived that their MC had a negative effect on their performance and that their MC caused reductions in training load or workout program adherence, although most competitive-level athletes did not withdraw from competitions due to MC symptoms.
- ItemManaging Concussion in the Real World: Stakeholder Perspectives of New Zealand Rugby’s Concussion Management Pathway(SAGE Publications, 2023-12-28) Salmon, Danielle; Walters, Simon; Brown, James; Kerr, Zachary; Clacy, Amanda; Keung, Sierra; Sullivan, S John; Mihalik, Johna Register; Whatman, Chris; Sole, Gisela; Badenhorst, MareliseThe potential adverse consequences associated with poor concussion management highlights the need to improve the translation of concussion guidelines into consistent use in real-world sport settings. To facilitate this process, New Zealand Rugby developed a community concussion management pathway to support concussion recognition, diagnosis, and management. This study adopted a pragmatic, descriptive qualitative approach to explore key stakeholders’ perceptions of the concussion management pathway, with the aim to inform policy and practice. Interviews were conducted with 123 participants, including players, parents, coaches, healthcare professionals, and school and provincial union representatives. The framework method was used to analyze data. Themes were organized according to the principles of realist process evaluation that considers contextual factors and mechanisms influencing a program's operation to produce specific outcomes. Contextual factors influencing the concussion management pathway's implementation included governing bodies’ support, existing local resources, general concussion attitudes, or concussion severity. The optimal functioning of the concussion management pathway (mechanism) was influenced by (i) pathway resources, (ii) roles and relationships, (iii) buy-in and support towards the concussion management pathway, and (iv) diligence and communication. Outcomes identified included (i) hitting the target (optimally managed and enhanced awareness) or (ii) missing the mark (dissatisfaction or management gaps). Overall, participants found the concussion management pathway valuable. However, the acceptability of certain policy-related aspects and the underlying attitudes associated with these perceptions, are some areas requiring further investigation and support. Tailoring programs according to end-users’ perceptions is crucial in developing context-sensitive interventions appropriate for a specific setting. These findings may act as a foundation for investigations of concussion management in other settings.
- ItemFa‘atama: Indigenous Tomboys of Sāmoa(James Cook University, 2024-10-08) Enari, Dion; Treagus, MandyThis paper acknowledges that queerness has always existed in the tropics, especially in Sāmoa. In traditional Sāmoan life, there has always been more than two genders. While much attention has been given to fa‘afafine, we seek to raise the visibility of another queer group, fa’atama (formally fa‘atane) or tomboys—Sāmoans assigned female at birth (AFAB), who either identify as masculine, are attracted to females, or both. Not only is this group marginalised on the world stage, but also within Sāmoan and Pacific culture, which has suppressed their lives and identities. In the context of a very specific historical and cultural milieu, we examine three recent representations—in poetry, fiction, and film—of queer AFAB Sāmoans in order to privilege their stories.
- ItemFamily First: The Role of Family in Māori and Pasifika Professional Athlete Success(SAGE Publications, 2024-10-16) Enari, Dion; Borell, PhillipThroughout the Pacific, the whānau/’āiga (family) is an integral element of community and identity. Within Polynesian communities, it is common for the whānau (family – Māori) or ‘aiga (family – Samoan) to be the most important aspect of one's existence. For many Polynesian (Māori and Pacific) athletes, the family unit is central to their ability to succeed in professional sport. The cultural identity that is developed within the family unit as well as the support and nurturing provided are ingredients for Polynesian athletes to thrive in spaces where they may not otherwise: gaining collective support in ways that are not always readily afforded to Western society. This paper draws from the stories of male professional Māori and Pasifika rugby league athletes to provide deeper insight into the critical role of Polynesian families in professional sport. As Polynesian sport academics, who were given deep insight from these athletes, we use our insider lens to tell this story.