AUT Professor honoured for contribution to sport research
AUT Professor of Strength and Conditioning, Michael McGuigan, has been named 2016 William J. Kraemer Outstanding Sport Scientist of the Year.
The award was granted by the National Strength and Conditioning Association of the USA, and recognises exemplary contributions to the field of applied exercise and sport science. Professor McGuigan was nominated for the impact of his research on high performance sport in New Zealand, which has focused on strength and power development and assessment in athletes.
He says the award comes as significant affirmation for the work he has been doing. “The mission of the organisation is to bridge the gap between science and practice, which has been the focus of my research.”
“It is a great honour to win this award as it is awarded by the leading organisation for Strength and Conditioning practitioners and researchers in the world,” he says.
Professor McGuigan has worked with many elite athletes throughout his career, including the Silver Ferns, Valerie Adams and other New Zealand Olympians. He’ll be following Valerie’s attempt at a third consecutive gold medal with great interest this week.
However, he also counts building the next wave of sport scientists among his career highlights. “Anytime a student completes their degree and attains a job working in high performance sport is extremely rewarding.”