José Antonio Martínez-Rodríguez
Doctor of Philosophy candidate
For his PhD in sport science he is investigating how baseball players can improve their base running efficiency, says José Antonio Martínez-Rodríguez who is AUT’s first international student from Puerto Rico in recent history.
“I chose to focus on base running research because in my master's thesis from the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras I created a new multi-component change of direction test called the Curvilinear Ability Test (aka CAT); a new assessment protocol to examine curvilinear sprint ability in competitive baseball players.
“I wanted to continue expanding the scarce knowledge of how to train and assess base running in my PhD. Through my research I plan to add knowledge about how running is analysed, trained and assessed to improve base runners’ abilities. This knowledge could benefit professional or college baseball teams, and could improve their talent selection.”
José’s doctoral research is being supervised by Professor John Cronin from AUT’s School of Sport and Recreation and Dr Ryan Crotin, a US-based expert in baseball durability and performance.
Finding his way to AUT
José says it was a recommendation from his secondary supervisor that encouraged him to choose AUT in New Zealand for his PhD.
“My philosophy is to teach others and introduce my ideas to everyone, regardless of academic or professional level. Thus, pursuing a PhD will give me the tools to redirect my ideas and deliver the message comprehensively. I had previously collaborated with Dr Ryan Crotin on research, and he told me that there is a professor and a university who could help me to best shape my project idea.
“Since I first met Professor John Cronin from AUT in January 2023, he has revolutionised my critical thinking and rationalisation in my secondary language, English. I’ve enjoyed the quality of treatment during my studies at AUT. I’m an offshore student based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but have always felt like one of them and have never experienced any administrative problems.”
He says he also appreciated the flexibility AUT offered when it came to assessing his English language skills for his PhD.
“Puerto Rico's first language is Spanish, even though it’s a territory of the United States of America. For this reason, the English language has influenced Puerto Rico, but not all Puerto Ricans can easily understand it. AUT’s postgraduate research committee asked me to take an English language proficiency test, however these tests aren’t offered in Puerto Rico. AUT understood my situation, and evaluated all the research I did during my master’s thesis and allowed me to continue my research work.”
Advice for other students
Expecting to complete his PhD in 2026, José has some great advice for other students.
“All around the world, each student holds within them a unique dream. However, each dream has an opportunity door and those doors are scarce. While seeking opportunities, some may falter, weary from the challenges that beset their path, while others may get distracted. Nevertheless, others never give up and keep grinding. You need a balance in mental, spiritual and physical health. When others are distracted, you keep going with balance. The time of knowledge they lose is the time of knowledge you win. Never give up!”
He wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AUT’s PhD in sport science to others.
“The non-bureaucratic experience and Professor John Cronin’s mission of ‘helping you be better at what you do’ are my reasons for recommending this programme to others.”
