Research

Getting optimal sleep is of utmost importance for health, recovery and performance. The Facer-Childs Lab investigates the impact of sleep, exercise and chronobiology on health and performance in athlete groups and the general population. We run studies with the wider community as well as doing more focused work with established industry partners who are elite sporting organisations (AFL, NRL and WNBL).

We investigate a wide range of outcome measures, including sleep, biological rhythms, mental health, cognition, physiology and athletic performance. Within the elite groups the aim is to provide direct feedback to aid organisations with their management of mental and physical health of their athletes. A key component of our research program is the integration with industry, translation of research and community engagement.

Areas of research/projects

Creating digital tools to optimise recovery and performance through sleep

Working with industry partners, we are designing and developing digital tools to optimise sleep, circadian alignment, performance and wellbeing.

Designing and evaluating a sleep and circadian rhythm intervention for mental health in athletes

We are developing a sleep and circadian rhythms-based intervention for athletes to improve mental health.

Measuring and modelling circadian phase

In collaboration with industry partners, we have collected melatonin in elite athletes to measure circadian phase and are investigating a modelling algorithm.

The exercise recovery project

In collaboration with WHOOP, we are investigating longitudinal associations between physical activity, sleep, and autonomic control.

Menstrual health in female athletes

We are particularly interested in working with female athletes and investigating research questions specific to this population, including the menstrual cycle.

Sex differences in sleep and circadian rhythms

Most projects have a focus on exploring sex differences and factors that might relate to or explain differences between male and female athletes in sleep, circadian rhythms and performance.

Head impacts and concussion in sports

In collaboration with neuropsychology researchers, we are investigating the roles of head impacts and concussion in sleep, performance, and wellbeing in athletes.

Clinical sleep monitoring in athletes

This project was run with Collingwood Football Club as the partner and explored the clinical sleep profiles of the players.

Mental fitness for athletes

In collaboration with Dr Sarah Liddle, we investigated methods to improve mental fitness in community sports.

Eye on the ball, mind on the game

This project was done in partnership with the Danny Frawley Centre, St Kilda Football Club. It involved the development of a mindfulness-based program for Australian Rules Football players.

Slow wave sleep enhancement in athletes

This project was aimed to investigate if using acoustic stimulation during slow wave sleep could improve recovery and performance in athletes.

The influence of Tempur mattresses on sleep health and recovery

In partnership with Tempur, we investigated differences in sleep health in a community setting between individuals who used different mattresses.