# Bruce Abernethy

**Source**: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/222
**Parent**: https://about.uq.edu.au/leadership-governance/vice-chancellor-and-president

Professor

# Bruce Abernethy

Email:
:   [b.abernethy@uq.edu.au](mailto:b.abernethy@uq.edu.au)

Phone:
:   [\*](tel:*)

## Positions

Affiliate of Centre for Extracellular Vesicle Nanomedicine
:   Centre for Extracellular Vesicle Nanomedicine
:   Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences

Executive Director, UQ 2032 Games Engagement
:   Office of the Vice-Chancellor

### Background

Professor Abernethy is a first class Honours graduate and university medallist from the University of Queensland, a PhD graduate from the University of Otago, an International Fellow of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, a Fellow of the Australian Sports Medicine Federation and a Fellow of Exercise and Sport Science Australia. He was the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences from 2014-2023 and is now Executive Director of UQ's Engagement with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Professor Abernethy is a previous Deputy Executive Dean and Associate Dean (Research) within the Faculty of Health Sciences (2011 - 2013), Head of the School of Human Movement Studies (from 1991-2003) and from 2004 to mid-2011 was the Director and inaugural Chair Professor of the Institute of Human Performance at the University of Hong Kong.

His research interest is in the control and acquisition of skilled movement, with a particular focus upon understanding the processes underpinning the expert perception and production of patterns of human movement. The work is interdisciplinary and spans human movement and sport science, experimental psychology, neuroscience and medical and health sciences. Prof. Abernethy's research work has been supported by a range of agencies including those funding basic science, such as the Australian Research Council and the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, as well as those supporting more applied research, such as the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Football League, the Australian Cricket Board, Worksafe Australia and the Motor Accident Insurance Commission.

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### Availability

Professor Bruce Abernethy is:
:   Available for supervision
:   Media expert

### Fields of research

[Cognitive and computational psychology](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4985)
[Sports science and exercise](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/search?research-field=4986)

### Qualifications

- Bachelor, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Otago
- Australian Sports Medicine Federation, Australian Sports Medicine Federation

[Search Professor Bruce Abernethy’s works on UQ eSpace](http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/list/author_id/402)

[All
(271)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/222/all)
[Book
(5)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/222/4747)
[Journal Article
(165)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/222/4748)
[Other Outputs
(5)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/222/4749)
[Conference Publication
(55)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/222/4751)
[Book Chapter
(41)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/222/4752)

2022

Journal Article

##### Physical activity and fundamental movement skills in children with developmental coordination disorder: abridged secondary publication

Sit, C. H.P., Yu, J. J., Capio, C. M., Masters, R. and Abernethy, B. (2022). Physical activity and fundamental movement skills in children with developmental coordination disorder: abridged secondary publication. Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi, 28 (3), 37-40.

[Physical activity and fundamental movement skills in children with developmental coordination disorder: abridged secondary publication](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:38bb108)

2021

Journal Article

##### Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior in children with and without developmental coordination disorder: associations with fundamental movement skills

Yu, Jane Jie, Capio, Catherine M., Abernethy, Bruce and Sit, Cindy Hui Ping (2021). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior in children with and without developmental coordination disorder: associations with fundamental movement skills. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 118 104070, 104070. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104070

[Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior in children with and without developmental coordination disorder: associations with fundamental movement skills](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:545359e)

2021

Other Outputs

##### Position Paper Dataset

Hadlow, Stephen Mark, Abernethy, Bruce, Portus, Marc and Mann, David (2021). Position Paper Dataset. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/aebe88a

[Position Paper Dataset](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:aebe88a)

2019

Journal Article

##### Falling for a fake: the role of kinematic and non-kinematic information in deception detection

Park, So Hyun, Ryu, Donghyun, Uiga, Liis, Masters, Rich, Abernethy, Bruce and Mann, David L. (2019). Falling for a fake: the role of kinematic and non-kinematic information in deception detection. Perception, 48 (4), 300-337. doi: 10.1177/0301006619837874

[Falling for a fake: the role of kinematic and non-kinematic information in deception detection](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:37dd100)

2018

Journal Article

##### Stepovers and signal detection: response sensitivity and bias in the differentiation of genuine and deceptive football actions

Jackson, Robin C., Barton, Hayley, Ashford, Kelly J. and Abernethy, Bruce (2018). Stepovers and signal detection: response sensitivity and bias in the differentiation of genuine and deceptive football actions. Frontiers in Psychology, 9 (OCT) 2043, 2043. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02043

[Stepovers and signal detection: response sensitivity and bias in the differentiation of genuine and deceptive football actions](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b26f9d1)

2018

Journal Article

##### The perception of deceptive information can be enhanced by training that removes superficial visual information

Ryu, Donghyun, Abernethy, Bruce, Park, So Hyun and Mann, David L. (2018). The perception of deceptive information can be enhanced by training that removes superficial visual information. Frontiers in Psychology, 9 (AUG) 1132, 1132. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01132

[The perception of deceptive information can be enhanced by training that removes superficial visual information](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:9486587)

2018

Conference Publication

##### More "novice-like" gaze behavior, and decreased performance, when contextual information increases uncertainty in batting

Mann, David L., Sarpeshkar, Vishnu and Abernethy, Bruce (2018). More "novice-like" gaze behavior, and decreased performance, when contextual information increases uncertainty in batting. CHAMPAIGN: HUMAN KINETICS PUBL INC.

[More "novice-like" gaze behavior, and decreased performance, when contextual information increases uncertainty in batting](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:505daa8)

2018

Journal Article

##### Modified perceptual training in sport: A new classification framework

Hadlow, Stephen Mark, Panchuk, Derek, Mann, David Lindsay, Portus, Marc Ronald and Abernethy, Bruce (2018). Modified perceptual training in sport: A new classification framework. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21 (9), 950-958. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.01.011

[Modified perceptual training in sport: A new classification framework](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:720361)

2018

Book Chapter

##### Superior anticipation

Abernethy, Bruce, Farrow, Damian and Mann, David L. (2018). Superior anticipation. The Cambridge handbook of expertise and expert performance. (pp. 677-695) edited by K. Anders Ericsson, Robert R. Hoffman , Aaron Kozbelt and A. Mark Williams. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781316480748.035

[Superior anticipation](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:7e9ed94)

2017

Journal Article

##### Reduced attentional focus and the influence on expert anticipatory perception

Gorman, Adam D., Abernethy, Bruce and Farrow, Damian (2017). Reduced attentional focus and the influence on expert anticipatory perception. Attention Perception and Psychophysics, 80 (1), 166-176. doi: 10.3758/s13414-017-1429-z

[Reduced attentional focus and the influence on expert anticipatory perception](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:690703)

2017

Journal Article

##### Visual Strategies Underpinning the Development of Visual-Motor Expertise When Hitting a Ball

Sarpeshkar, Vishnu, Abernethy, Bruce and Mann, David L. (2017). Visual Strategies Underpinning the Development of Visual-Motor Expertise When Hitting a Ball. Journal of Experimental Psychology-Human Perception and Performance, 43 (10), 1744-1772. doi: 10.1037/xhp0000465

[Visual Strategies Underpinning the Development of Visual-Motor Expertise When Hitting a Ball](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:692424)

2017

Journal Article

##### The influence of ball-swing on the timing and coordination of a natural interceptive task

Sarpeshkar, V., Mann, D. L., Spratford, W. and Abernethy, B. (2017). The influence of ball-swing on the timing and coordination of a natural interceptive task. Human Movement Science, 54, 82-100. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2017.04.003

[The influence of ball-swing on the timing and coordination of a natural interceptive task](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:566788)

2016

Journal Article

##### Instructions influence response to the Chinese Version Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale in community-dwelling older adults

Wong, Thomson W. L., Abernethy, Bruce and Masters, Rich S. W. (2016). Instructions influence response to the Chinese Version Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale in community-dwelling older adults. Geriatrics and Gerontology International, 16 (12), 1305-1311. doi: 10.1111/ggi.12644

[Instructions influence response to the Chinese Version Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale in community-dwelling older adults](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:383960)

2016

Journal Article

##### Does perceptual or motor experience influence the perception of global and joint-specific kinematic changes in complex movement patterns?

Giblin, Georgia, Farrow, Damian, Reid, Machar, Ball, Kevin and Abernethy, Bruce (2016). Does perceptual or motor experience influence the perception of global and joint-specific kinematic changes in complex movement patterns?. Attention, Perception, and Psychophysics, 78 (6), 1781-1793. doi: 10.3758/s13414-016-1167-7

[Does perceptual or motor experience influence the perception of global and joint-specific kinematic changes in complex movement patterns?](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:405884)

2016

Journal Article

##### The Great British Medalists Project: A Review of Current Knowledge on the Development of the World’s Best Sporting Talent

Rees, Tim, Hardy, Lew, Gullich, Arne, Abernethy, Bruce, Cote, Jean, Woodman, Tim, Montgomery, Hugh, Laing, Stewart and Warr, Chelsea (2016). The Great British Medalists Project: A Review of Current Knowledge on the Development of the World’s Best Sporting Talent. Sports Medicine, 46 (8), 1-18. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0476-2

[The Great British Medalists Project: A Review of Current Knowledge on the Development of the World’s Best Sporting Talent](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:380267)

2016

Journal Article

##### Gaze-contingent training enhances perceptual skill acquisition

Ryu, Donghyun, Mann, David L., Abernethy, Bruce and Poolton, Jamie M. (2016). Gaze-contingent training enhances perceptual skill acquisition. Journal of Vision, 16 (2), 1-21. doi: 10.1167/16.2.2

[Gaze-contingent training enhances perceptual skill acquisition](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:381000)

2016

Conference Publication

##### Evaluating a 12-Week Games-Based Training Program to Improve Cricket Batting Skill

Connor, J. D., Renshaw, I., Farrow, D. and Abernethy, B. (2016). Evaluating a 12-Week Games-Based Training Program to Improve Cricket Batting Skill. ABINGDON: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD.

[Evaluating a 12-Week Games-Based Training Program to Improve Cricket Batting Skill](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:406468)

2015

Journal Article

##### Using Fitts Law’ to detect intentional misrepresentation

Deuble, Rebecca L., Connick, Mark J., Beckman, Emma M., Abernethy, Bruce and Tweedy, Sean M. (2015). Using Fitts Law’ to detect intentional misrepresentation. Journal of Motor Behavior, 48 (2), 164-171. doi: 10.1080/00222895.2015.1058744

[Using Fitts Law’ to detect intentional misrepresentation](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:362682)

2015

Journal Article

##### Exploring the kinaesthetic sensitivity of skilled performers for implementing movement instructions

Giblin, Georgia, Farrow, Damian, Reid, Machar, Ball, Kevin and Abernethy, Bruce (2015). Exploring the kinaesthetic sensitivity of skilled performers for implementing movement instructions. Human Movement Science, 41, 76-91. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2015.02.006

[Exploring the kinaesthetic sensitivity of skilled performers for implementing movement instructions](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:355210)

2015

Journal Article

##### Evidence of different underlying processes in pattern recall and decision-making

Gorman, Adam D., Abernethy, Bruce and Farrow, Damian (2015). Evidence of different underlying processes in pattern recall and decision-making. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 68 (9), 1813-1831. doi: 10.1080/17470218.2014.992797

[Evidence of different underlying processes in pattern recall and decision-making](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:351833)

### Past funding

- 2014 - 2017

  Recover Injury Research Centre core funding

  Motor Accident Insurance Commission

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/26383)
- 2011 - 2015

  Collaborative Research Network Central Queensland University: CQUniversity Australia - Health Collaborative Research Network

  Central Queensland University

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/13965)
- 2008 - 2011

  Evaluating the impact of neuromusculoskeletal impairment on athletic performance

  ARC Linkage Projects

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/9499)
- 2001 - 2002

  Expert decision-making in Australian football: How does it develop and how can it be trained?

  Australian Football League

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/4555)
- 2000

  Spontaneous transitions in repetitive lifting and lowering

  UQ External Support Enabling Grant

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/140)
- 1998 - 2001

  Perception and action in driving

  Motor Accident Insurance Commission

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/3372)
- 1998 - 2000

  Corticospinal control of interlimb coordination

  ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/2824)
- 1998 - 1999

  Decision Making in Sport

  Australian Sports Commission

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/3016)
- 1998

  Spontaneous transitions between different patterns of coordination in a whole body movement

  ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/2894)
- 1998

  Vergence, Depth Perception and Vertical Gaze Angle: Inter-relationships and implications for the Design and Use of Visual Displays

  UQ External Support Enabling Grant

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/3158)
- 1997 - 2019

  Motor Accident Insurance Commission Queensland Teaching and Community Service Rehabilitation Research Fellowship in Physical Activity and Disability

  Motor Accident Insurance Commission

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/2610)
- 1996 - 1998

  Perception and Action in Children with Movement Coordination difficulties

  ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/1161)
- 1995 - 1997

  Cognitive and dynamical constraints on rhythmic movement

  ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/397)

### Availability

Professor Bruce Abernethy is:
:   Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on [how to choose a supervisor](https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/how-to-choose-a-supervisor).

### Supervision history

#### Completed supervision

- 2022

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Predicting and evaluating transfer of modified perceptual training to improve performance in sport](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b053e67)

  Principal Advisor
- 2016

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Interception in the Presence of Ball-Swing: Exploring the Development of Visual-Motor Expertise in Cricket Batting](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:385893)

  Principal Advisor
- 2013

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Understanding expert recall and recognition of natural visual patterns of movement](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:306803)

  Principal Advisor
- 2012

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Applied Science of Professional Rugby League](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:275758)

  Principal Advisor
- 2008

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### [Expertise in Sport: Multi-dimensional Exploration of the Development of Batting Skills in Cricket](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:152778)

  Principal Advisor
- 2005

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### EXPERT PERCEPTUAL AND DECISION-MAKING SKILL: IDENTIFICATION, DEVELOPMENT AND AQUISITION IN A TEAM INVASION SPORT

  Principal Advisor
- 2005

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### TIMING AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION PICK-UP FOR VISUAL ANTICIPATION BY WORLD-CLASS CRICKET BATSMEN

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Guy Wallis](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/601)
- 2006

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING PEOPLE WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Emeritus Professor Wendy Brown](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/844), [Professor Stewart Trost](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/934)
- 2003

  Doctor Philosophy

  ##### BIMANUAL CONTROL AND MIRROR MOVEMENTS IN NORMAL AND ABNORMAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT

  Associate Advisor

### Enquiries

Contact Professor Bruce Abernethy directly for media enquiries about:

- Cognitive science
- Development in sports
- Human movement
- Kinesiology
- Skill assessment - sport
- Sports - development
- Sports science

#### Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

[communications@uq.edu.au](mailto:communications@uq.edu.au)

## External profiles

- [ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5173-8222)
- [ResearcherID](https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/E-8635-2012)
- [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=LpvKxrwAAAAJ)

## Personal links

- [Personal profile](http://habs.uq.edu.au/professor-bruce-abernethy)

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