At the Sports Performance Clinic we have world class facilities teamed with a highly skilled and knowledgeable team to provide you with the best sports science support, irrespective of your requirements whether it be rehabilitating from injury, improving your strength and power, honing your cardiovascular fitness, or acclimatising to heat.
The services are grounded in research, and underpinned by the principles of AUT’s Sports Performance Research Institute NZ (SPRINZ). Our research is facilitated through the services we provide and the services are in turn enhanced through research.
Contact the Sports Performance Clinic on 021 948 511 or [email protected]
Body Composition
Basic Body Composition Assessment
Our Basic Assessment is suitable for monitoring body fat distribution and overall physique changes before and after a training intervention. With repeated measures over time, we can also monitor progress towards achieving performance or health related goals.
As part of the Basic Assessment, height, weight, 8 skinfolds, girths, and bone breadths are measured. This assessment will take approximately 20 minutes, and you will receive a report interpreting your results in relation to your sport performance or health goals. We recommend repeated measures at timely intervals.
Advanced Body Composition Assessment
The Advanced Assessment is a comprehensive profile of your body (e.g., size, shape and structure). This assessment involves all the measures of the Basic Assessment with the addition of further measures of body girths, bone lengths and girths.
The Advanced Assessment is targeted toward the elite athlete, and it may also be useful in predicting sports performance and the identification and monitoring of potentially talented athletes. This assessment will take 50 minutes, and you will receive a report interpreting your results in relation to your sport performance goals. We recommend repeated measures at timely intervals that we will discuss with you.
Endurance Performance
Combined Performance Test
The Combined Performance Assessment is our most comprehensive service for endurance athletes. It includes the measurement of VO2 max, lactate and physiological economy, providing an accurate measure of how efficiently an athlete uses oxygen while exercising at a given pace
Lactate Threshold Assessment
The lactate threshold has been shown to predict endurance performance and can be very sensitive to specific training. By measuring this threshold we are able to establish an athlete’s individualised training zones, ensuring they are training at the correct intensity to maximize performance improvements. With repeated assessments, we are able to measure the effectiveness of training programmes. Based on your heart rate and blood lactate response, we can prescribe five key aerobic-based training zones with session examples provided.
Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2 Max) Assessment
For many sports, an individual’s VO2 max is a key determinant of performance and is considered the ‘gold-standard’ measure of cardio-respiratory fitness. VO2 max is relevant to any endurance athlete interested in accurately measuring their current level of aerobic fitness. In this assessment, we utilize a metabolic gas analysis system during an incremental ramp assessment. From the results, we can prescribe three key aerobic based training zones specifically relevant the individual.
Energy Utilisation (Metabolic Efficiency) Test
This test assesses how efficient your body is at using fat or carbohydrate stores while exercising at different intensities. The assessment will look at how much energy you use during cycling or running, and how this changes in response to your diet. In consultation with a nutritionist your test results can be used to develop a personalised nutrition plan to suit your requirements. Changes to your energy utilisation may also improve factors affecting your performance and health.
Biomechanics
Run3D Analysis
The RUN3D is the most advanced and accurate running assessment in NZ. Whilst you run on the treadmill 9 infrared high-speed cameras track the movement of 24 reflective markers placed on the lower body monitor and assess your movement. This analysis will help to highlight how you can rid yourself of injury and improve your running efficiency.
Running Tune Up
The Tune Up has been designed for recreational runners and sports people that wish to improve their running technique and reduce their risk of injury. The Tune Up includes
an assessment of key strength and flexibility variables, as well as a high speed video analysis of your running technique.
Follow-Up Assessments
Follow-up assessments are available and are focused on issues and improvements uncovered in your initial assessment.
Strength & Conditioning
Functional Assessments
Balance Assessment
Aim: Your stability and balance are vital to your control, accuracy and precision during all movements in life and in sport. With your balance assessment, we will provide you with a report explaining your balance results and specific recommendations to improve your balance/stability for everyday life and sport. This assessment will take approximately 45 minutes.
Movement Competency Screening
Your mobility and flexibility are crucial to injury prevention and longevity in sport. Through postural and movement competency screening, we can identify your movement inefficiencies and muscular imbalances.
Balance and Movement Package
In combination, your mobility and stability assessments will provide a better overview of your functional movement capabilities for an injury free lifestyle.
Strength Assessments
Dynamic Strength
Dynamic strength is pertinent to athletic performance in all sports. Using a range of functional movements and weightlifting exercises, we are able to assess your dynamic strength capabilities. The assessment will include two maximum strength (upper and lower body) tests and three strength endurance tests (push-up, pull up, core). From this assessment battery, we will have a holistic/comprehensive/detailed representation of your dynamic strength qualities. This assessment will take one hour and you will receive a report interpreting your results.
Isometric Strength
Lower body strength is a critical component of athletic performance in many sports. Using a force plate, we are able to provide a complete diagnosis of your isometric strength capabilities. The assessment will include an isometric mid-thigh pull. From this test we are able to measure your rate of force development and peak/mean force capabilities. This assessment will take 30 min, and you will receive a report, interpreting your results. We also offer off-site strength and power assessments for an additional cost.
Isokinetic Strength Assessment
Serious knee injuries are an all too common occurrence in a range of sports, and commonly result from a lack of strength in the supporting musculature, imbalances in the quadriceps and hamstrings, or strength asymmetries between left and right. This assessment is specifically designed to assess the strength of the muscles supporting your knee, to assess your injury risk or to assist in your rehabilitation. Our specialised equipment provides variable resistance to a movement, so that no matter how much effort you exert, the movement takes place at a constant speed. You will be assessed in concentric and eccentric muscle contractions on both sides at a range of speeds. This assessment takes approximately 60 minutes, providing you with a highly detailed report on your muscle strength, and how this relates to your injury risk or rehabilitation goals.
Complete Strength Package
The full palette of strength assessments provide you with a complete overview of your isometric, dynamic and isokinetic knee strength capabilities. The full assessment will take 2 ½ hours to complete. You will be given a full report detailing your areas of weakness and recommendations to help strengthen these areas.
Power & Speed Assessments
Practical Power
Using a vertical jump and plyometric push up, we are able to measure your jump and push-up height. By relating these measures to your body weight, we are also able to predict your maximum force and velocity capabilities, providing you with a practical and scientific assessment of your ballistic upper and lower body qualities.
Power Profile
Using a force plate and linear position transducer, we are able to provide a complete diagnosis of your power qualities. The assessment will include a variety of lower and upper body power tests customised to your individual requirements. These will include jumping and throwing tasks utilizing a range of loads specific to your body type and sport. From these tests, we are able to measure your maximum force, peak power and maximum velocity capabilities, which can be useful for tracking your training progress and determining your strengths and weaknesses. This assessment will take one hour, and you will receive a full report interpreting your results. We also offer off-site strength and power assessments at an additional cost.
Speed Profile (timing lights)
Speed is one quality that in many cases separates the elite athlete/player from the non-elite. Using state-of-the-art timing light technology, we can accurately measure your sprint times over 5 to 40 meters. We also offer team and off-site sprint testing for an additional cost.
Speed Plus (radar)
Using radar technology and advanced diagnostic techniques, we are able to assess your maximum sprinting speed (km/h), maximum horizontal force and maximum horizontal velocity capabilities. This additional information provides you with a more detailed representation of your sprinting capability to better inform your sprint training. We also offer team and off-site sprint testing for an additional cost.
Speed and Agility
In addition to straight line speed, an athlete’s ability to change directions quickly is crucial – particularly in team sports where evading defenders and covering your opponent in defense can be crucial. The ‘speed for sport’ assessment includes a sprint test as well as a sports specific change of direction test. We also offer team and off-site sprint testing for an additional cost.
Sprint Kinetics Testing
Imbalances in dynamic leg strength may increase the likelihood of injury. A baseline analysis of individual kinetics and kinematics during maximal and sub-maximal sprinting on a non-motorised force treadmill will help pinpoint any imbalances that may lead to pre- or in-season injuries. The subsequent analysis and report includes the determination of individual strength and power profiles during sprinting, along with individual deficits and leg asymmetries in biomechanical variables during sprinting. The sprint assessment takes 30 minutes.
Conditioning Assessments
Individual Aerobic Test
A number of field based aerobic tests are available on request, including: yo-yo intermittent recovery test, Australian shuttle run, Leger shuttle run, 30-15, and repeated sprint test.