Aukland University of Technology Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand SPRINZ

What Aukland University of Technology Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand SPRINZ does

SPRINZ (the AUT Sport Performance Research Institute New Zealand) is a research institute within Auckland University of Technology, a public New Zealand university, operating from the AUT Millennium campus in Auckland alongside High Performance Sport New Zealand. Its mission is to conduct high-impact, interdisciplinary research spanning sports physiology, kinesiology and injury prevention, strength and conditioning, sports technology, sport leadership, youth sport development, and health-and-physical education. Core technical assets include three research laboratories — the Sports Strength and Conditioning Laboratory (Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer, Keiser Power Rack, Biodex Balance System, force plates, inertial measurement sensors), the Sports Physiology Laboratory (Cosmos Saturn high-speed treadmill capable of 60 km/h, cycle ergometers, environmental chamber for hot/cold/humid conditions) and the SKIPP laboratory (Bertec instrumented treadmill, Vicon 3D motion capture, EMG) — plus the in-house-developed Hawkin TruStrength dynamometer commercialized internationally.

Revenue is generated through four interlocking streams: (1) postgraduate tuition across Honours, Master of Sport Exercise and Health, Master of Business in Sport Leadership and Management, and PhD programs, including industry-funded scholarships; (2) collaborative research with ~120 international partners across 25 countries and 60+ domestic partners, anchored by HPSNZ, ACC, Sport NZ and the NZ Defence Force; (3) fee-based clinical services delivered through the Human Potential Clinic, Sports Performance Clinics, and J.E. Lindsay Carter Kinanthropometry Clinic at AUT Millennium; and (4) commercialization of sport-technology IP such as the Hawkin TruStrength dynamometer. Go-to-market is direct-to-organization (national sport bodies, government agencies, international universities) with annual conference presence (AUT SPRINZ/NZSCA/SESNZ Strength and Conditioning Conference at NZ$180/NZ$120 two-day pricing) and digital channels including peer-reviewed publications, a Research Bytes video series, and the AUT news portal.

The institute is governed through AUT's parent structure and a dedicated leadership team including Co-director Eric Helms, Head of Research Dr. Tom Stewart, and portfolio leaders across Research Impact, Research Funding, Research Development, Research Partnerships, and Culture. SPRINZ ranks in the QS global Top 25 for sports-related subjects (2026), up from Top 50 in 2019, and is positioned as New Zealand's top-rated sport research institute.

Name

Aukland University of Technology Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand SPRINZ

Legal name

AUT Sport Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ)

Website

https://sprinz.aut.ac.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1895

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SPRINZ is the AUT Sport Performance Research Institute New Zealand, a research institute within Auckland University of Technology that conducts interdisciplinary sport-science research, delivers postgraduate education (Honours to PhD), runs clinical services at AUT Millennium, and partners with New Zealand national sport bodies, government agencies, and ~120 international collaborators across 25 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Science Research

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Strength, Conditioning & Speed/Agility Training Facilities (MPAKAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sport-Specific Skills Coaching (e.g., soccer, basketball, tennis) (HSADAEAA)

Keywords

• Sports performance research
• Sport science education
• Athlete performance analysis
• Injury prevention research
• Strength and conditioning

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Academic Programs: SPRINZ generates value through postgraduate education including PhD, Master's, and Honours programs, with industry-funded scholarships received annually. Many postgraduate students and staff work on collaborative research with industry partners.
2. Industry Research Partnerships: Collaborative research with industry partners including national sports organizations, government bodies, and international institutions. Partners include over 60 NZ collaborations and approximately 120 international collaborations in 25 countries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SPRINZ is a university-based research institute that conducts interdisciplinary sports performance and human potential research, runs postgraduate academic programs (PhD, Master's, Honours), operates world-class clinical and laboratory services (Human Potential Clinic, Sports Performance Clinics, J.E. Lindsay Carter Kinanthropometry Clinic, Strength & Conditioning, Physiology, and Kinesiology laboratories), and develops commercial sports technology products such as the Hawkin TruStrength dynamometer. Its research, training, and consultancy services are delivered through co-location with High Performance Sport New Zealand at AUT Millennium and through partnerships with national and international sport organizations, universities, and government agencies.

Product overview

SPRINZ operates as a research institute within Auckland University of Technology rather than a product company. It provides a portfolio of research laboratories (Strength and Conditioning, Sports Physiology, Sports Kinesiology/Injury Prevention), clinical services (Human Potential Clinic, Sports Performance Clinics, J.E. Lindsay Carter Kinanthropometry Clinic), and educational programs (Bachelor to PhD levels). The institute also develops and commercializes sports technology products like the Hawkin TruStrength dynamometer. The labs and clinics serve both research and community needs, while educational programs integrate SPRINZ research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Human Potential Centre: Research centre focused on bridging the gap between medical community and fitness industry, offering advanced exercise assessment and prescription.
• Sports Performance Clinics
• J.E. Lindsay Carter Kinanthropometry Clinic

Products and services

• Human Potential Clinic Clinic that bridges the medical community and fitness industry, offering advanced exercise assessment and prescription for people living with medical conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
• Sports Performance Clinics World-class facilities providing sports science support for rehabilitation from injury, improving strength and power, cardiovascular fitness, and heat acclimatization. Services are grounded in research and underpinned by SPRINZ principles.
• J.E. Lindsay Carter Kinanthropometry Clinic Clinic for assessment of sport, health and physical fitness interventions, and study of body shape for performance advantage and injury prevention; promotes the growth of kinanthropometry in New Zealand and worldwide.
• Sports Strength and Conditioning Laboratory Laboratory focusing on strength, power, speed, agility, balance and movement competency research, equipped with Humac Norm Isokinetic Dynamometer, Exerbotic strength machines, Keiser Power Rack, FT700 Power Cage, Woodway Treadmill, Biodex Balance System, force plates, accelerometers, and inertial measurement sensors.
• Sports Physiology Laboratory Laboratory for sport and exercise physiology research and athlete consultancy including specialist biochemistry facilities; equipped with a high-speed Cosmos Saturn Treadmill (60 km/h), cycle ergometers, and an environmental chamber simulating hot (40°C), cold (5°C) and humid (90% rH) conditions.
• Sports Kinesiology, Injury Prevention and Performance Laboratory (SKIPP) Laboratory including Running and Cycling Clinic for analysis of running mechanics, lower limb biomechanical screening, bike set-up, and body composition analysis using Bertec Instrumented Treadmill, Vicon 3D motion analysis system, and EMG equipment.
• Bachelor of Sport and Recreation (Honours) Undergraduate honours degree program in sport and recreation with SPRINZ research integration.
• Master of Sport, Exercise and Health Postgraduate master's degree program in sport, exercise and health.
• Master of Business in Sport Leadership and Management Specialized master's degree combining business and sport leadership education.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) PhD research programs conducted through SPRINZ with industry partnerships and access to world-class facilities; can be completed via distance learning in partnership with Athlete Training + Health in Texas.
• Hawkin TruStrength Dynamometer Commercial dynamometer developed by Professor John Cronin, providing accessible real-time force measurement across various applications; sold internationally.

Quantifiable outcome

• 22% increase in time to exhaustion with ischemic preconditioning
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHPSNZ is co-located at AUT Millennium with SPRINZ. The institute provides sport science support and research services to HPSNZ athletes and contributes to national high performance sport strategy.
• New Zealand RugbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research on player health, concussion prevention, and performance optimization. SPRINZ researchers contributed to red card decision review for All Blacks.
• Sport New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational sport development organization with strategic partnerships for sport research and athlete development programs.
• Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACC funds injury prevention research and provides national claims data for epidemiological studies on sports injuries.
• Athlete Training + Health (ATH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas-based athlete training company partnering with AUT to deliver science-led training programs. Students can intern or work at ATH while completing AUT degrees via distance learning.
• Netball New ZealandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch on umpire performance, player development, and injury prevention. SPRINZ conducts umpire work rate and movement analysis.
• New Zealand CricketmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research on cricket player performance and injury management.
• New Zealand HockeymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance analysis and GPS services for U18 NZ training camps and national tournaments.
• Cardiff Metropolitan University (Wales)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal university partnership for research collaboration and student exchange.
• German Sport University (Germany)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal university partnership for research collaboration and academic exchange.
• Swansea University (Wales)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal university partnership for research collaboration in sports science.
• Victoria University MelbournemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal university partnership for research collaboration in sports and exercise science.
• New Zealand Defence ForcemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch on load-carriage challenges and physical demands for military personnel.
• New Zealand Rugby LeaguemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch on player health, concussion management, and athlete development pathways.
• Rowing New ZealandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research on rowing athlete performance and physiological demands.
• Para Olympics New ZealandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch supporting para-sport athlete development and performance.
• Tennis New ZealandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance analysis support for elite tennis athletes.
• Drug Free Sport New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for clean sport research and anti-doping education.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• German Sport University Cologne: Germany's premier sport university and a longstanding SPRINZ partner. Comparable as a research-intensive university focused on sport science, elite athlete support, and interdisciplinary collaboration with engineering and medical sciences.
• Cardiff Metropolitan University – School of Sport and Health Sciences: A formal SPRINZ partner and fellow top-ranked QS sport subject institution. Comparable in applied sport science research, elite-athlete engagement, and industry-linked postgraduate programs.
• Loughborough University – School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences: One of the world's leading university-based sport science research groups. Directly comparable to SPRINZ in combining sport science research, elite-athlete partnerships, postgraduate education, and sports-technology commercialization, and is the dominant UK peer in QS sport rankings.
• University of Canberra – Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UC-RISE): Australian academic sport research institute with elite-athlete access and applied sports science research. Comparable in institutional structure, government partnership model, and applied research focus.
• Aspire Academy: Qatar's elite sport development and research academy. Comparable to SPRINZ in integrating elite athlete training, sport science research, biomechanics labs, and partnerships with national federations.
• Leeds Beckett University – Carnegie School of Sport: A leading UK sport research school with elite-athlete testing services, postgraduate programs, and sports-tech research outputs. Comparable in scale, structure, and applied sport science focus.
• Victoria University – Institute for Health and Sport (iHeS): A formal SPRINZ research partner and the leading sport science institute in Melbourne. Directly comparable in combining elite sport partnership research, applied physiology and biomechanics labs, and postgraduate education in sport and exercise science.
• University of Bath – Department for Health: Long-established UK sport science research department with strong Olympic and elite-sport links and industry research partnerships. Comparable to SPRINZ in elite-athlete research, sports engineering, and applied physiology output.

Emerging players

• Hawkin Dynamics: A sports-tech company commercializing force-plate and dynamometer technology closely related to SPRINZ's Hawkin TruStrength device. Comparable as a commercial counterpart to SPRINZ's sports-tech research output and emerging commercialization pathway.

Broad incumbents

• Massachusetts General Hospital – Sports Performance Center: A US clinical sports performance center embedded in a major hospital system. Comparable to SPRINZ in combining biomechanics, physiology, injury prevention, and performance research, but operating inside a healthcare delivery organization rather than a university.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autuni

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aukland University of Technology Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand SPRINZ