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 within the AFL and NRL, we are designing and developing digital tools to optimise performance.
The exercise recovery project
This project is being led by Josh Leota and investigates the relationship between exercise strain, sleep and autonomic control.
Sex differences in sleep and circadian rhythms
This project is being led by Luis Mascaro who is exploring sex differences in sleep and circadian rhythms in elite athlete populations, specifically in the Australian Football League.
Designing and evaluating a sleep and circadian rhythm intervention for mental health in athletes
This project is being led by Elie Walsh. We are developing a sleep and circadian rhythms-based intervention for athletes to improve mental health.
Mental fitness for athletes
In collaboration with Dr Sarah Liddle, we are looking at how we can improve mental fitness in community sports.
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.
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.
The influence of Tempur projects on sleep health and recovery
In partnership with Tempur, we have been investigating differences in sleep health in a community setting between individuals who used different mattresses.
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.