CQU's School of Health and Human Performance's Autumn Conference was conducted this Friday June 1 from 9am to 4pm (building 6, G.03).

The Rockhampton students gave 16 group presentations focusing on a variety of topics.

These included the effects of carbohydrate loading in endurance exercise; effects of fluid intake on athlete performance; effects of caffeine ingestion on the heart rate and blood glucose levels; effects of the contraceptive pill on musculoskeletal characteristics of young women; and the influence of the menstrual cycle on performance and strength characteristics of young healthy women.

Presenting at the conference were (clockwise from top left) Renae Dunne, Melinda Spottiswood, Courtney Hill, Karissa Richter, Emily Beaton and Jocelyn Roberts

This research was presented by CQU's third-year Health and Human Performance students from the advanced exercise physiology and advanced biomechanics courses.

Program Coordinator Dr Brendan Humphries said the students had been researching some interesting and relevant topics which not only affect sportspeople but anyone interested in fitness and general well-being.

"The Health and Human Performance Autumn Conference is a great day that showcases the abilities and talents of our third year human movement science students. The conference provides an opportunity for the students to draw on all their knowledge and skills gained over their time here at CQU to present high quality research projects.

"The conference is my favorite day of the year as I get to listen to interesting research projects and see how far our students have traveled in their development into human movement science professionals."