STAFF PROFILE
Professor Stephen Bird
Position:
Professor
College / Portfolio:
Allied Health Cluster
School / Department:
Exercise Sciences
Phone:
99257257
Email:
stephen.bird@rmit.edu.au
Campus:
Bundoora Campus
Contact me about:
Research supervision
Research interests
Professor Bird is currently undertaking research and supervising research students in the following areas:
- Resistance training for the prevention and treatment of: Diabetes, Sarcopaenia and Osteoporosis
- Physical activity and older people, including the barriers and facilitators to activity for older people.
- The ageing athlete.
- Exercise and health, particularly its impact upon reducing the risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Summary of responsibilities
Professor Bird is the Discipline Head of Exercise Sciences in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences. His responsibilities include the leadership, supervision and management of its staff; to ensure the provision of a quality learning environment for students; the pursuit of research; and the success of the Discipline, in both the local and international community. He also teaches in the Discipline's undergraduate programs and is an active researcher in the field of Exercise and Health.
Teaching responsibilities
Professor Bird's prior and current teaching areas are in Exercise Physiology, Research Methods Training Methods, and Health Enhancing Physical Activity. He is the Manager of two degree programs:
- BP041 Bachelor of Applied Science (Health and Physical Education)
- BP296 Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science)
Academic management and administration responsibilities
- Discipline Head, Exercise Sciences
- Chair of RMIT University’s Human Research Ethics Committee
- B.Sc (Hons), Biological Sciences, University of Lancaster, 1980
- PhD (Population Genetics), University of Leicester, 1984
- PGCE (Science Education), University of Sussex, 1984
- Advanced Diploma, Management, Gordon Institute and VHIA, 2006
Industry experience
- Director of a regional sport science support centre, preparing athletes for major competitions, including the Olympics.
- Exercise Physiologist and fitness coach of national sports teams.
- Director of a Centre for Population Health in the Victorian Health/Hospital sector.
Professional associations
- Accredited Exercise Physiologist with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) and Member of Sports Medicine Australia (SMA)
- Fellow of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (1998)
- Bird, S.,Broom, D. (2019). The historical and current context for research into health and physical activity In: Research Methods in Physical Activity and Health, Routledge, London
- Hurst, P.,Bird, S. (2019). Questionnaires In: Research Methods in Physical Activity and Health, Routledge, London, UK
- Hurst, P.,Bird, S. (2019). Notes and tips on Surveys In: Research Methods in Physical Activity and Health, Routledge, London, UK
- Bird, S.,Woods, C. (2019). Intervention studies, training studies and determining the acute responses to bouts of exercise In: Research Methods in Physical Activity and Health, Routledge, London, UK
- Hunter, J.,Gordon, B.,Lythgo, N.,Bird, S.,Benson, A. (2018). Exercise at an onsite facility with or without direct exercise supervision improves health-related physical fitness and exercise participation: An 8-week randomised controlled trial with 15-month follow-up In: Health Promotion Journal Australia, 29, 84 - 92
- Hunter, J.,Gordon, B.,Bird, S.,Benson, A. (2018). Perceived barriers and facilitators to workplace exercise participation In: International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 11, 349 - 363
- Bird, S. (2018). Why research into health and physical activity? In: Research Methods in Physical Activity and Health, Routledge, London
- Selva Raj, I.,Bird, S.,Shield, A. (2017). Ultrasound measurements of skeletal muscle architecture are associated with strength and functional capacity in older adults In: Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 43, 586 - 594
- Bird, S.,Hawley, J. (2017). Update on the effects of physical activity on insulin sensitivity in humans In: BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 2, 1 - 26
- Lingard, H.,Bird, S.,Lythgo, N.,Troynikov, O. (2017). Centre for Construction Work Health and Safety Research: MSD research report In: Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) and WorkSafe Victoria Melbourne, Australia
- Development of Physical Activity Profiles for Website Mediated Physical Activity Interventions (PhD scholarship for Chris Lynch). Funded by: Northern Health from (2015 to 2018)
- Effect of an Exercise Leader Cognitive Behavioural Lifestyle Program on Biomedical, Psychological and Social Factors in Overweight and Obese Adolescents. Funded by: Shepherd Foundation Research Grant pre-2014 from (2009 to 2010)
- The effects of eccentrically-biased and traditional resistance training on force-velocity characteristics, muscle architecture, functional capacity and arterial stiffness in older adults. Funded by: Australian Association of Gerontology Research Grant pre-2014 from (2009 to 2009)
Note: Supervision projects since 2004
4 PhD Current Supervisions5 PhD Completions
Sport performance and ergogenics, Exercise and Health - Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes, Exercise and Aging -Sarcopaenia
Masters age group sport