Fields of Research (FoR)

• Exercise Physiology ( 110602 )
  
• Clinical and Sports Nutrition ( 111101 )
  
• Human Movement and Sports Science ( 110600 )
  
• Exercise Physiology ( 420702 )
  
• Sports Science And Exercise ( 420700 )
  
• Sport And Exercise Nutrition ( 321006 )
  
• Nutrition And Dietetics ( 321000 )
  

Research interests

Prof Bird's expertise and research leadership in strength and conditioning methodology, exercise rehabilitation, nutritional supplementation, and sport science technology present clear evidence of research linked to international collaboration and aligns with UniSQ strategic priority areas.

With a commitment to advancing the field of ‘Performance Science’ through a multidisciplinary lens, Prof Bird’s research focus examines the intricacies of human performance optimization through holistic development in high-performance personnel across various domains, including elite athlete populations, first responders and emergency, and military and tactical operations.

More recently, Prof Bird has led interdisciplinary discussions opening new potential collaborations in aviation and space travel, specifically the novel use of blood flow restriction training on muscle and bone mass as a human health countermeasure. Other key research areas of interest relate to the impact of human space flight on sleep deficiency, circadian dysfunction, mental wellbeing, and fatigue management.

Current projects:
1) Female athlete health and performance
2) Pupillometry: A novel strategy to determine preparedness
3) Sleep in the NBA: Current issues and possible solutions
4) Physical preparation strategies in the NBA: Underpinning factors

Potential graduate students interested in any of the following projects should email or phone:
1) Passive heat maintenance and on-court performance in professional male basketball players
2) Post-activation potentiation on power profiles in professional women basketball players
3) Vitamin D status of Women’s National Basketball League players from tropical and non-tropical environment
4) Nutritional supplementation for performance: nutrient timing, multi-nutrient supplementation, immune function

Professional memberships

Australian Strength and Conditioning Association
National Strength and Conditioning Association
International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association
Exercise and Sports Science Australia
Nutrition Society of Australia

Industry affiliations

International Journal of Strength & Conditioning, Editor-in-Chief
Australian Strength & Conditioning Association Advisory Panel - Academic Member 2007 -
Applied Sports Science Research Grants Review Board Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) 2011 - 2013
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Project Grant Peer Review External Assessor 2010 - 2012
Expert Panel, Curriculum Renewal in Exercise and Sports Science Project Funded by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) and the Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science (AAESS) 2009 - 2010
South African Medical Research Council Grants Review Board External Assessor 2007 - 2009

USQ Research affiliations

• Institute for Resilient Regions (IRR)
  

Currently teaching courses/programs

SES3206 Strength Training and Conditioning
SES3102 Principles of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
SES5102 Sport Nutrition and Performance
SES6202 Monitoring Athlete Workload, Health & Performance
SES5105 Technology and Data Science in S&C

Teaching experience(Tertiary)

15 Years

Administrative responsibilities

Director of High Performance Sport - School of Health and Medical Sciences
Program Director, Master of Strength & Conditioning
Former Acting Head of School and Dean (Health and Medical Sciences)
Former Associate Head of School - Allied Heath
Former Acting Associate Head of School – Learning, Teaching, and Student Success

Research supervisor in the area of:

• Exercise Physiology ( 110602 )
  
• Clinical and Sports Nutrition ( 111101 )
  
• Exercise Physiology ( 420702 )
  
• Sports Science And Exercise ( 420700 )
  
• Sport And Exercise Nutrition ( 321006 )
  
• Nutrition And Dietetics ( 321000 )