Qualifications Doctor of Philisophy (Physiotherapy) - University of Queensland Australian Defence Force Physical Training Instructor - Australian Defence Force Masters of Physiotherapy Studies - University of Queensland Bachelor of Further Education and Training - University of Southern Queensland Rob joined the Australian Army in 1989 as an infantry soldier before transferring to the Defence Force Physical Training Instructor (PTI) stream. Serving for 10 years in this stream, Rob designed, developed, instructed and audited physical training programs and physical education courses for military personnel and fellow PTIs from both Australian and foreign defence forces. Rob subsequently transferred to the physiotherapy stream where his role included the clinical rehabilitation of defence members and project management of physical conditioning optimisation reviews. Serving as the Human Performance Officer for Special Operations before joining the team at Bond University in 2012, Rob continues to serve in the Army Reserve in this role and as a module presenter for the Defence Force Physical Training School. Rob's fields of research include physical conditioning and injury prevention for military and protective services from the initial trainee to the elite warrior. Currently focussing on tactical load carriage, Rob is exploring means of reducing injuries associated with load carriage tasks and improving the mobility and lethality of soldiers and tactical police required to carry loads. Rob has recently submitted his PhD thesis in this field. Rob's works have been published in newspapers, magazines and peer-reviewed journals and led to several health and safety awards. Rob is regularly invited to deliver training workshops and present at conferences both nationally and internationally.
Military Load Carriage
Occupational Load Carriage: Formal and Informal Conditioning, Tactical Strength and Conditioning Conference 2013 (2013)
Load carriage for the tactical operator: Impacts and conditioning - A review, Journal of Australian strength and conditioning (2012)
Tactical operators are required to carry loads as part of their occupations. Carriage of these...
The operational load carriage context of the Australian army soldier (with R. Pope, V. Johnston, and J. Coyle), 1st Australian Conference on Physiological and Physical Employment Standards (2012)
Military soldiers are required to carry loads as part of their occupation. These loads have...
Load carriage: Impacts and conditioning, Tactical Strength & Conditioning Australia (TSACA): Rapid Fire Mini conference (2012)
Load carriage: Reductions in soldier task performance and the risks posed (with R. Pope, V. Johnston, and J. Coyle), Land Warfare conference 2012: Potent land force for a joint maritime strategy (2012)
Australian military personnel are required to carry load as part of their occupation. Research suggests...
Special Forces/Tactical Warriors
Movement Orientated Training for the Kinetic and Cyber Warrior, Tactical Strength and Conditioning Conference 2013 (2013)
Predicting success on a special forces selection course: Identifying entry tests and establishing standards (with Andrew P. Hunt and Daniel C. Billing), Defence human sciences symposium (2011)
Extract: Selection of personnel for employment within the Australian Army Special Forces involves the successful...
Predicting success on a special forces selection course: Validating standards (with Andrew P. Hunt and Daniel C. Billing), Defence human sciences symposium (2011)
Extract: Selection of personnel for employment within the Australian Army Special Forces (SF) involves the...
Military Health and Physical Conditioning
Metabolic fitness as a predictor of injury risk in conditioned military trainees undertaking an arduous field training exercise (with N. Meigh and Michael Steele), 1st Australian Conference on Physiological and Physical Employment Standards (2012)
Musculoskeletal injuries reduce the ability for military forces to train new personnel. Metabolic fitness has...
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder management: A role for physiotherapists and physical training instructors, Journal of military and veterans' health (2012)
Posttraumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder known to affect some military personnel. Apart from...
The Royal Military College Physical Conditioning Optimisation review: A four year project to improve physical health and fitness while reducing injuries (2012)
This session presents a unique insight into the Physical Conditioning Optimisation Review; a four year...