Dr Mark Sayers joined the University in 2005, having worked as a sports scientist since the 1980’s. He has an extensive background in the biomechanics of team sports, technique analysis, and the development of sports specific speed and power.
Mark is an extremely experienced and popular lecturer, having held academic positions in sport science since the late 1980’s. In 2012 he received a national Office of Learning and Teaching Citation and in 2010 was voted one of the top ten lecturers in the country.
Dr Sayers has been a consultant biomechanist and coach for several national and international high profile sporting bodies and is recognised internationally for his work on the key skills in the sport of rugby union.
He was the biomechanist and special skills coach for the New Zealand All Blacks between 2000 and 2001 and again from 2004 to 2008 and has been credited as being a key aspect of the team’s success over the past 10 years.
Dr Sayers has over 60 peer reviewed publications in scientific journals, has authored or co-authored 8 book chapters, and has presented at more than 30 national and international conferences.
Mark has successfully supervised more than 30 HDR and Honours students.
Research grants
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Kinetic Orthotics®: Move without Pain™, CSIRO Innovation Connections Grant, Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, $121,136 (Sayers, M. & Burkett, B. 2016)
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Applying a connectedness learning model to develop a networked approach to lifelong graduate employability at USC, USC Commissioned Learning and Teaching Grant, $29,800 (Goldsmith, B., Sayers, M. English, P., McIntyre, J. Scheepers, R. & Bridgstock, R. 2016)
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Reliability and validity study for the assessment of lateral trunk strength – The Modified Obers Test, Sunshine Coast Health Service Wishlist Grant, $9,904 (Pesu, J., Mellifont, D. & Sayers M. 2016)
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An investigation into the influence of differing levels of representativeness on landing technique in sport, Centre of Excellence for Applied Sport Science Research, Queensland Academy of Sport, Queensland Government, $10,000 (Gorman, A., Stuelken, M., Mellifont, D. & Sayers, M. 2015)
- Exploring the collaborative advantage of a partnership model between the University of the Sunshine Coast and community junior sports clubs, University Engagement Grant, $7474 (Sayers, M., Stevenson, T. & Brown, M. 2013)
- A biomechanical analysis of throwing using spear throwers: A 21st Century examination of 17,000 year-old technology, USC Internal Research Grant, $4,500 (Sayers M, Neill H, Czok C, Gould S, Calder A. 2010)
- Towards an understanding of Neutral Spine Posture (NSP) to health and wellness: The role of postural cues in the attainment of NSP, USC Internal Research Grant, $5,000 (Mellifont D, Sayers M, Richardson C. 2009)
- The biomechanics of lawn bowls, USC Internal Research Grant, $15,000 (Sayers M, Mellifont R. 2008)
- Biomechanical analysis of rugby skills, New Zealand Rugby Union, $25,000 (Sayers M. 2007)
- Biomechanical determinants of agility in rugby union, New Zealand Rugby Union, $65,000 (Sayers, M. 2007)
- Pathology of shoulder injury in high performance rugby union players, New Zealand Prime Minister’s Scholarship, $90,000 (Sayers M, Hore A, Gallagher P, Robertson D, Jones A, Mohammad K. 2007)
- Functional gait analysis as a screening tool for the prediction of soft tissue injury in high performance rugby players, USC Internal Research Grant, $3,892 (Sayers M, Mellifont R. 2005)
- Physiological and biomechanical responses to pedometer guided walking in older adults, USC Internal Research Grant, $3,892 (Askew A, Sayers M. 2005)
- Strength requirements for high performance rowing, Australian Olympic Athlete Program, $20,000 (Hahn A, Sayers M, Tanner R. 1997)
- Biomechanical analyses of surfboard paddling, National Sports Research Program, $5,000 (Draper J, Sayers M. 1986)
- Biomechanical analysis of surf-ski and surfboard paddling, Rothman’s Foundation, $5,000 (Draper J, Sayers M. 1986)
Research areas
- biomechanics of team sports
- biomechanics of rugby union
- performance analysis
- agility training and assessment
- spinal biomechanics
Teaching areas
- Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science
- Biomechanics 1 and 2
- Performance Enhancement
Mark's specialist areas of knowledge include: exercise science, biomechanics, rugby union, gait analysis, performance, analysis, team sports, strength, power training
In the news
USC Newsroom
USC students step up as sport statisticians
13 September 2017Two USC Sport and Exercise Science students have become sought-after match statisticians for some of the world’s biggest international netball tournaments.
Sporty new degree at Fraser Coast
14 October 2015Sport fanatics on the Fraser Coast have the opportunity to turn their passion into a career with the University of the Sunshine Coast introducing a Bachelor of Sports Studies from 2016.