JCU > Research Portfolio > A/Prof Anthony Leicht

About

Associate Professor Anthony Leicht is a senior academic within Sport and Exercise Science at James Cook University. He is an experienced exercise scientist/researcher with an international reputation and expertise in the responses to exercise with a particular emphasis on autonomic cardiac control. He has over 25 years of experience as an exercise science academic and enjoys teaching undergraduates within the areas of exercise physiology and exercise testing. He has published extensively, been involved in the successful reception of funding and awards, a member of several national/international exercise science and physiological organisations, an editorial board member for numerous international journals, and a regular invited reviewer for >55 international journals within the areas of Sport and Exercise Science, Cardiovascular Function and Physiology.

Teaching

SP1012: Exercise and Sports Testing (Level 1; TSV)
SP2007: Physiological Basis for Exercise and Sport (Level 2; TSV)
SP2200: Exercise and Sports Testing (Level 2; TSV)

Interests

Professional

Research Ethics

Research

Cardiovascular function of humans during rest, exercise and recovery.
Assessment of exercise and physical activity capacity in healthy adults and those with chronic diseases/conditions.
Human and occupational performance

Teaching

Assessment

Experience

2010 to present - Associate Professor, James Cook University (Townsville)
2022 to 2026 - JCU Council Member, James Cook University (Townsville)
2014 to 2019 - Deputy Chair of Human Research Ethics Committee, James Cook University (Townsville)
2011 to 2019 - Human Research Ethics Committee Member, James Cook University (Townsville)
2014 to 2018 - JCU Council Member, James Cook University (Townsville)
2011 to 2013 - Research Committee Member, James Cook University (Townsville)
2008 to 2011 - Director - Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, James Cook University (Townsville)
2006 to 2009 - Senior Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville)
2002 to 2005 - Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville)
1999 to 2001 - Associate Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville)

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Honours

Awards

2018 - The Leoni Warne Memorial Award. Defence Human Sciences Symposium, Perth, November 29-30
2014 - Heikki Pekkarinen Memorial Award. The International 22nd Puijo Symposium, Physical Exercise in Clinical Medicine – Critical Appraisal of Scientific Evidence, Kuopio, Finland, June 24-28
2013 - USQ Alumnus of the Year Faculty Award (Sciences)
2012 - Best Scientific Paper Presentation – Exercise Science (ESSA National Conference, Gold Coast, Australia)
2006 - Best Poster Presentation (AAESS National Conference, Sydney, Australia)

Fellowships

2022 - Sports Medicine Australia
2010 - European College of Sport Science (ECSS)
2007 - Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science (AAESS) - Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)

Memberships

2022 - Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences
2008 - Australian Physiological Society
2006 - American College of Sports Medicine
2006 - European College of Sport Science
2004 - Queensland College of Teachers
2004 - American Physiological Society
2000 - Sports Medicine Australia
2000 - Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science (AAESS) - Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
2000 to 2018 - Australian Society for Medical Research
2009 to 2017 - International Society of Autonomic Neuroscience
1998 to 2017 - International Society for Heart Research

Other

2000 to 2007 - International Basketball Referee
1994 to 2007 - National Basketball League Referee
1988 to 2007 - Australian/Continental Basketball Association (A/CBA) Northern Conference Referee

Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

Callinan M, Connor J, Sinclair W and Leicht A (2023) Exploring rugby coaches perception and implementation of performance analytics. PLoS ONE, 18 (1).
da Silva N, Andrade-lima A, Chehuen M, Leicht A, Brum P, Oliveira E, Wolosker N, Pelozin B, Fernandes T and Forjaz C (2023) Walking Training Increases microRNA-126 Expression and Muscle Capillarization in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease. Genes, 14 (1).
Heilbronn B, Doma K, Sinclair W, Connor J, Irvine-Brown L and Leicht A (2023) Acute Fatigue Responses to Occupational Training in Military Personnel: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Military Medicine, 188 (5-6). pp. 969-977
Jenner B, Nottle C, Walters J, Saunders S, Leicht A and Crowther R (2023) Reliability of the running vertical jump test in female team sport athletes. Physical Therapy in Sport, 60 (2023). pp. 47-53
Rodríguez-Fernández A, Suárez-Iglesias D, Vaquera A, Leicht A and Rodríguez-Marroyo J (in press) Inter-system and inter-unit reliability of Polar Team Pro and WIMU PRO devices during external load measurements indoors. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology,
Smith C, Doma K, Heilbronn B and Leicht A (2023) Impact of a 5-week individualised training program on physical performance and measures associated with musculoskeletal injury risk in army personnel: A pilot study. Sports, 11 (1).
Smith C, Doma K, Heilbronn B and Leicht A (in press) Reliability of Force Plate Metrics During Standard Jump, Balance, and Plank Assessments in Military Personnel. Military Medicine,
Wedding C, Gomez M, Woods C, Sinclair W and Leicht A (2023) Effect of match-related contextual factors on positional performance in the national rugby league. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 18 (3). pp. 832-838
Harrison D, Doma K, Leicht A, McGuckin T, Woods C and Connor J (2022) Repeated Bout Effect of Two Resistance Training Bouts on Bowling-Specific Performance in Male Cricketers. Sports, 10 (9).
Mgbemena N, Jones A and Leicht A (2022) Assessment of Inter-Instrument Reliability for Dominant Handgrip Dynamometry and Spirometry. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 20 (4).

Book Chapters

Connor J, Doma K and Leicht A (2022) Home Advantage in Cricket. In: Home Advantage in Sport: Causes and the Effect on Performance. Routledge, New York, NY, USA, pp. 204-210
Leicht A, Connor J and Deakin G (2022) Physiological basis for home advantage. In: Home Advantage in Sport: Causes and the Effect on Performance. Routledge, New York, NY, USA, pp. 75-81

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 257+ research outputs authored by A/Prof Anthony Leicht from 2002 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Australian Army - Contract Research

Quantifying the acute physical, cognitive and physiological responses of various training modalities in Australian Soldiers

Indicative Funding: $21,655 over 6 years
Summary: The project sets out to answer the following research question: What is the degree of stress, fatigue and recovery experienced by Australian Soldiers after bouts of occupationally specific physical activities? To answer this question, the project will develop an evidence-based assessment protocol to assess levels of fatigue and stress in Soldiers after bouts of occupationally related strenuous activities across various periods of employment. This will inform the chain of command on appropriate recovery times for different modalities of training, ensuring that soldiers remain combat-ready throughout their training cycles and minimise symptoms overtraining.
Investigators: Brian Heilbronn, Kenji Doma, Wade Sinclair and Anthony Leicht in collaboration with Jace Drain (College of Healthcare Sciences and Defence Science and Technology Group)
Keywords: Sport Science; Military; Injury Prevention; Tactical Athlete; Army

Australian Government Department of Defence Science and Technology - Land Division

Optimising concurrent cognitive and physical Training in military personnel (OptiTrain)

Indicative Funding: $248,573 over 2 years
Summary: The combination of different training types is common for athletes looking to improving fitness and performance however, this combination or `concurrent training? may impair overall training quality and adaptations. Using the theoretical basis of concurrent training, this project will clarify the effects of concurrent cognitive and physical training on cognitive and physical performance. Project outcomes will substantially aid in the development of appropriate training and maximization of performance for military personnel. This project is being conducted as part of the Human Performance Research network (HPRnet) program of studies.
Investigators: Anthony Leicht, Kenji Doma, Jonathan Connor and Anne Swinbourne (College of Healthcare Sciences)
Keywords: Military; Physical performance; Concurrent Training; Cognitive performance

Rugby Australia Ltd - Contract Research

Examining playing performance in Rugby Union via static and dynamic approaches

Indicative Funding: $49,750 over 3 years
Summary: Innovative technology within elite sport has provided high performance staff with an abundance of player and team performance metrics ? `big rugby data?. Despite the availability of this information, the crucial keys to match success in rugby union remain unknown, possibly due to the complexity of match play. This project will evaluate the complexity of elite rugby union matches by examining teams? performance via novel sport analytics considering static and dynamic approaches. Outcomes will identify the keys to success from a micro to macro level and assist coaching staff to optimise strategies for enhanced success within rugby union.
Investigators: Wade Sinclair, Anthony Leicht, Jonathan Connor and Miguel Gomez Ruano in collaboration with Mikaela Callinan (College of Healthcare Sciences)
Keywords: Athletes; Sports & Exercise; Analysis

Cowboys Rugby League Football Limited - Contract Research

Game, Training and Individual Performance Analytics of Elite Rugby League Players

Indicative Funding: $110,000 over 4 years
Summary: Evaluating training and game performances I elite sport is an information-rich environment particularly with the additional of data analytic companies providing real-time and post-competition analyses for coaching staff. Additionally, the inclusion of wearable technology and in particular, the inclusion of global positioning systems in to the elite training environment have empowered high performance personnel with an overabundance of performance data through which evidence-based evaluations can be made. However, with the inclusion of such technology in to the contemporary elite training environment, coaching staff are now faced with interpretative decisions pertaining to what metrics are suitable and under what constraints.
Investigators: Wade Sinclair, Anthony Leicht and Carl Woods in collaboration with Paul Bowman (College of Healthcare Sciences and Cowboys Rugby League Football Ltd)
Keywords: Performance Analytics; Machine Learning

National Rugby League - Rugby League Research Committee

Identifying the impact of cognitive fitness on decision-making capacity of elite NRL officials

Indicative Funding: $11,369 over 1 year
Summary: Officiating team sport matches requires engagement of complex physical and mental/cognitive processes. Superior cognitive fitness may assist with management of match stresses for greater decision-making. This project will: 1) identify the current cognitive fitness levels of elite NRL officials; and 2) examine the impact of cognitive and/or physical stress on elite NRL official?s decision-making proficiency; 3) clarify how cognitive fitness level moderates elite NRL officials? decision-making proficiency. This project will provide recommendations to enhance the decision-making capacity of elite NRL officials with reference to cognitive fitness.
Investigators: Jonathan Connor, Anthony Leicht, Anne Swinbourne, Kenji Doma and Wade Sinclair (College of Healthcare Sciences)
Keywords: referee; Elite Athlete; Rugby League; Decision Making

National Rugby League - Rugby League Research Committee

Identifying the impact of cognitive fitness on decision-making capacity of elite NRL officials

Indicative Funding: $11,369 over 1 year
Summary: Officiating team sport matches requires engagement of complex physical and mental/cognitive processes. Superior cognitive fitness may assist with management of match stresses for greater decision-making. This project will: 1) identify the current cognitive fitness levels of elite NRL officials; and 2) examine the impact of cognitive and/or physical stress on elite NRL official?s decision-making proficiency; 3) clarify how cognitive fitness level moderates elite NRL officials? decision-making proficiency. This project will provide recommendations to enhance the decision-making capacity of elite NRL officials with reference to cognitive fitness.
Investigators: Jonathan Connor, Anthony Leicht, Anne Swinbourne, Kenji Doma and Wade Sinclair (College of Healthcare Sciences)
Keywords: referee; Elite Athlete; Rugby League; Decision-making

Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

Quantifying the Acute Physical, Cognitive and Physiological Responses of various Training Modalities in Australian Soldiers (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Examination of the Biomechanical, Physiological, Performance and Symptom Responses of Impact/Collision (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Novel strategies for athlete preparation in elite rugby league players. (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Alternative Applications of Computer Assisted Technologies in Knee Replacement (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Use of Rugby League Specific Activities to assess effects of Training (PhD , Advisor Mentor)
The impact of variable resistance on movement during the barbell back squat (PhD , Advisor Mentor)
Influence of Various Athletic Movement tasks on Interlimb Asymetry in Team Sports Athletes (PhD , Advisor Mentor)

Completed

Analysis of technical & tactical performances for success in the National Rugby League (2022, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Prediction of lung function and health-related quality of life using dominant handgrip strength in cardiac patients (2022, PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Quantifying the physical, technical, and tactical qualities discriminant of development level in the Queensland Rugby League talent pathway (2020, PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)

Data

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit Research Data Australia.

Leicht, A. (2016) Data set for quality of life and physical activity of adults within a regional workplace. James Cook University

Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.