Sporting codes battle it out in National Science Week

Queensland sporting codes have gone head to head today in a battle of science and fitness at the Queen Street Mall Fitness Challenge.

Organised as part of National Science Week, Queensland’s Chief Scientist Dr Geoff Garrett will pit stars from Queensland Cricket, Queensland Reds, Brisbane Broncos, Queensland Firebirds and the Brisbane Roar against each other as they competed in a series of challenges to see which code rules them all.

Science Minister Leeanne Enoch said that with all eyes on the Rio Olympics, it was important to remember how much science was now involved in modern sport.

“The science of sport and fitness has come a long way from the days of part-time athletes who would train a couple of times a week and then turn up on the weekend to compete for a trophy or two,” Ms Enoch said.

“For the talented athletes competing in today’s fitness challenge, it is now a full-time occupation that includes countless hours of practice and study to become the best at what they do.”

“Where they once might have had a trainer to get them fit and maybe a doctor to look after their injuries, there are now teams of sports scientists around them designing specific training programs and tracking their performance to allow them to compete at the highest level.”

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart was on hand to help supervise the challenge.

“The debate over which sport has the fittest and toughest athletes is timeless,” Mr Stewart said.

“This challenge goes some way settling that debate and I look forward to seeing who comes out on top.”

Dr Garrett said the challenge was collaborative effort with local school students.

“The exercises were all designed by local high school students to challenge our athletes to the best of their abilities,” Dr Garrett said.

“Sports scientists were on hand to monitor and measure the fitness levels of our athletes to determine the winner of the challenge.”

The event is just one of a number of events and activities to be delivered by the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist during National Science Week, which is an annual celebration of science and technology where thousands of individuals–from students to scientists to chefs and musicians–are taking part in more than 1000 science events across the nation.

Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 830 201