Swimming PhD helps top athletes make a splash

Jason Tozer

5 September 2006: A University of Canberra PhD candidate is helping Australia's current and future swimming champions as a sports scientist with the Queensland Academy of Sport.

Megan Anderson recently submitted her PhD thesis which investigated performance and physiological monitoring of highly trained swimmers.

Ms Anderson (left) with top swimmers Andrew Richards and Jade Edmistone Photo: Scott Mackinnon

Ms Anderson said the PhD, taken while working with the AIS physiology department as part of its joint initiative in swimming with the University, was an opportunity of a lifetime.

"My area of research interest has always been applied sport science and sports performance, so doing my PhD through the AIS and UC was a great opportunity to do this," she said.

"The opportunity to work with swimming, which is a sport Australia has been traditionally one of the world leaders in, was very exciting and too good to pass up."

Her thesis involved monitoring the performance and physiology of elite swimmers while training over a five-year period and short intensive period as well as developing sensor technology, known as the Traqua, to improve that monitoring.

"The area of research that I chose provides practical information for scientists and coaches," Ms Anderson said.

"This kind of fitness testing and monitoring is routine in swimming and so part of my objective was to improve data interpretation and current monitoring methods enabling more in-depth information."

Ms Anderson's success with the AIS and University now sees her working to get the best out of international and national champions such as Lisbeth Lenton, Leisel Jones, Jessicah Schipper and Jade Edmistone.