Rob Spurrs

Bachelor of Human Movement

After completing my Bachelor of Human Movement degree (now titled Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science) at UTS, I enrolled in a Masters by Research degree at UTS. My thesis examined the relationship between enhanced neuromuscular properties and distance running performance. Specifically, I demonstrated that increases in muscle-tendon stiffness brought about by plyometric training led to improvements in running performance in trained male runners. My Masters research was upgraded to a PhD project, where I further examined the role of lower limb stiffness in running performance. The second study involved female athletes and investigated the associated changes in ground reaction forces as a result of plyometric training.

Whilst undertaking my postgraduate research, I utilised UTS staff networks to gain employment at the Sydney Swans Football Club. Initially I assisted with the training sessions, however over time this role evolved into a full time position where I was responsible for injury rehabilitation, nutrition and conditioning.

Currently, I am the Head Conditioning Coach for the Sydney Swans AFL team. I regularly use a variety of sports science principles that I learnt during my studies at UTS and believe that the wide range of subjects that were covered in the course has contributed to my ability to perform my job. Furthermore, my study and research at UTS instilled an ability to be analytical, work well with people, to have a deep scientific understanding of human performance, and gave me the capacity to design appropriate training and monitoring programs for a large number of athletes.