Dr Suzanna Russell
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Mental Fatigue and Recovery
Sports Performance, Recovery, Injury and New Technologies (SPRINT) Research Centre
Areas of expertise: mental / cognitive fatigue and recovery; cognitive performance; athlete and staff well-being; human performance
HDR Supervisor accreditation status: Provisional
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9146-756X
Email: suzanna.russell@acu.edu.au
Location: ACU Brisbane Campus
Suzy Russell is a postdoctoral research fellow investigating mental fatigue and recovery in partnership with the Australian Institute of Sport and Queensland Academy of Sport. In 2020, Suzy completed her PhD, titled 'Mental Fatigue in Elite Sport' at the University of Queensland in partnership with the Queensland Academy of Sport and Netball Australia. Having held various research, industry, and applied positions working with athletes and novel technologies, Suzy is intrigued by maximising human performance. Suzy is an Accredited Sports Scientist with Exercise and Sports Science Australia, and has previously worked as a performance analyst with the Brisbane Lions and Queensland Firebirds. Her research focuses on mental fatigue, recovery and cognitive performance, having published multiple peer-reviewed article and chapters on the topic. Suzy embraces a collaborative and inclusive approach to research, partnering directly with organisations for impact, and has established working relationships with international experts in the field. In addition to mental fatigue, recovery and cognitive performance, Suzy sees value in prioritising athlete and staff wellbeing and promotes initiatives which support mentally healthy and sustainable sporting environments. Suzy continues to curiously engage in work which helps others to maximise their capability, through the application of scientific principles and evidence, whilst embodying the importance of embracing each human as a unique individual.
Download curriculum vitae
Academia profile
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Suzanna-Russell
Select Publications
- Russell S, Jenkins D, Halson S, S Rynne & Kelly V. What is mental fatigue in elite sport? Perceptions from athletes and staff. European Journal of Sport Science. 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2019.1618397
- Russell S, Jenkins D, Halson S, Juliff L & Kelly V. How do elite female team sport athletes experience mental fatigue? Comparison between international competition, training and preparation camps. European Journal of Sport Science. 2021: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1897165
- Russell S, Jenkins D, Smith M, Halson S & Kelly V. The application of mental fatigue research to elite team sport performance: new perspectives. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2019: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2018.12.008
- Roelands B, Kelly V, Russell S & Habay J. The physiological nature of mental fatigue: current knowledge and future avenues for sport science. 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2021-0524
- Russell S, Jenkins D, Halson S, Juliff L, Connick M, Kelly V. Mental fatigue over two elite netball seasons: a case for mental fatigue to be included in athlete self-report measures. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2021-0028
- Russell S, Jenkins D, Halson S & Kelly V. Mental fatigue increases across a 16-week pre-season in elite female athletes. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2021.12.002
- Russell S, Jenkins D, Halson S & Kelly V. Changes in mental and physical fatigue during elite development netball. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2019: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2019.12.017
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781351060073
- Russell S, Simpson M, Evans G, Coulter T, Kelly V. Physiological and Perceptual Recovery-Stress Responses to and Elite Netball Tournament. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2020-0317
- Russell S, Evans G, Jenkins D & Kelly V. Effect of external counterpulsation on running performance and perceived recovery. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 2019: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0605
- Russell S, Kelly V, Halson S & Jenkins D. Cognitive Load in Sport in Human Factors and Ergonomics in Sport: Applications and future directions. In: Human Factors in Sport - Hulme A, Salmon P & McLean S (Eds.). 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781351060073
Projects
Current projects
- Mental fatigue and recovery of athletes in training and competition. Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), $244,666 - 2021-2023
- Understanding athletes cognitive and physiological responses to protocols designed to manipulate mental fatigue and recovery. Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), $152,407, 2023 - 2024
- Does mental fatigue increase anterior cruciate ligament injury risk? Australian Catholic University Faculty of Health Sciences, $9,970, Co-investigator, 2022 - 2023
Past projects
- Mental Health First Aid training in community rugby. Queensland Mental Health Commission, $250,000 - 2020-2021
- Measurement methodologies of mental fatigue in the elite sporting environment. Sports Medicine Australia Research Foundation, $2500 - 2017-2021
- Mental fatigue in sport. Centre for Sport Innovation and Knowledge Excellence, Queensland Academy of Sport, $38,500 - 2017-2020
Accolades and awards
- European College of Sports Science, Invited Seminar - 2022
- The University of Queensland, Nomination for Dean's Award for Outstanding HDR Theses - 2021
- Exercise and Sports Science Australia, ESSA Medal - Highly Commended - 2021
- Exercise and Sports Science Australia, Young Investigator Award for Sports Science Finalist - 2020
- European Congress of Sports Science, Nomination for Young Investigator Award - 2020
- The University of Queensland, Human Movement & Nutrition Sciences Postgraduate Conference - Sports Medicine Australia Best Overall Presentation Award - 2019
- The University of Queensland, Human Movement & Nutrition Sciences Travel Award First Place - 2019
- The University of Queensland, University Medal Recipient for BExSS (Hons I) - 2016
Appointments and affiliations
Applied experience / roles
- Mental Health Project Manager, Queensland Rugby Union & Queensland Mental Health Commission - 2020
- Recovery Specialist, Australian Open & Tennis Australia - 2020
- Performance Analyst, Queensland Firebirds & Netball Queensland - 2017-2019
- Performance Analyst, Brisbane Lions (NEAFL) - 2016-2017
Professional affiliations
- Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Accredited Sports Scientist (ASpS) & Exercise Scientist (AES)
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Certified
International journal reviewer
2019 - current
- Sports Medicine Open
- International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
- Medicine of Science and Sports in Exercise
- Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
- Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
- Journal of Sports Sciences
- Motor Control
- Research Quarterly of Exercise and Sport
Public engagement activities
- Sportsmith Six, Understanding mental fatigue and mental recovery in sport - 2022
- Science for Sport, Can managing mental fatigue bring you next-level performance? - 2022
- Exercise and Sports Science Australia, Mental Fatigue in Elite Sport Webinar - 2022
- Insights from an Embedded PhD, Dr Suzanna Russell - 2021
- Exercise and Sports Science Australia, Research in Focus Podcast - 2021
- ABC News Article, Mental fatigue and athletic performance - 2020
- Mysportsscience, Mental fatigue in sport - what is it and how do we recover from it? - 2020
- Catapult High Performing Women in Sport Article - 2020
- Twitter: @suzanna_russell
