The School

Human Movement and Exercise Science (formerly Physical Education and Recreation) has been in operation at The University of Western Australia for nearly 40 years. In that time period more than 1500 specialist Physical/Health Education teachers have graduated. In addition, this department was the pioneering academic group in sport science in Australia. Many graduates are currently working throughout the world in Schools, Universities, Institutes of Sport, and Worksite Health and Fitness.

Areas of specialty include biomechanics of sport (tennis/ aquatics and triathlon) and injury prevention/ rehabilitation, gait analysis, ergonomics and physical activity; exercise physiology in sport and health/ hot environments/ cardiac rehabilitation/ diabetes/ asthma/ osteoporosis/ obesity; motor control and learning of physical education/ sport skills for children/ disabled/ elderly; exercise, health and sport psychology, with an emphasis on social psychological processes associated with health behaviour and sport performance; anthropometry/ kinanthropometry; and health promotion.

Approximately 90 research papers, books and book chapters are published each year, and staff and post-graduate students regularly present papers at National and International conferences. There are 36 PhD students working with an academic staff of 20 in this large School. Nearly half of the Post Graduate students come from interstate or overseas and enjoy the friendly, productive working environment.