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) 2 WIN 2032 Student-Athlete Empowerment Project
2) Female athlete health and performance
3) Neck strength, asymmetry and global strength in athletes
4) Pupillometry: A novel strategy to determine preparedness
5) Sleep hygiene behaviours in athletic populations

Potential graduate students interested in any of the following projects should email or phone:
1) 2 WIN 2032: Sleep 2 WIN; Mind 2 WIN; Girls 2 WIN; Protect 2 WIN; Prep 2 WIN; Eat 2 WIN; ESports 2 WIN
2) Passive heat maintenance and on-court performance in basketball players
3) Post-activation potentiation on power profiles in court-sport athletes
4) Evaluating neck strength, asymmetry and global strength in athletes
5) Vitamin D status of female athletes

Professional memberships

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

Industry affiliations

Editorial Board, Basketball Studies
Co-Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Strength & Conditioning
Australian Strength & Conditioning Association Advisory Panel - Academic Member 2007 - 2018
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

UniSQ Research affiliations

• Institute for Health (IH)
  

Currently teaching courses/programs

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

Teaching experience(Tertiary)

20 Years

Administrative responsibilities

Director of Sport, School of Health, Psychological and Medical Sciences
Former Acting Head of School and Dean, Health and Medical Sciences
Former Associate Head of School (Allied Heath), School of Health and Medical Sciences

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 )