Dr Dan van den Hoek
PhD Deakin University, M Clin Ex Phys Deakin University, B Ex Sp Sci Deakin University
Senior Lecturer, Clinical Exercise Physiology
School of Health
Email: dvandenhoek@usc.edu.au
Telephone: +61 7 5459 4643
Location: Moreton Bay, MB-MBA-1-1.87
Dr Dan van den Hoek obtained his PhD in Health Science (Exercise and Nutrition) from Deakin University in 2018. Dan’s thesis explored the effects of dietary energy restriction with and without exercise on psychosocial health and health-related quality of life for women with severe obesity.
Prior to his appointment at UniSC in 2023, Dr van den Hoek was a lecturer in clinical exercise physiology and program coordinator at Australian Catholic University. He has worked as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist since 2013 with his practice focusing on the prevention, treatment, and management of metabolic and mental health conditions.
Dan’s research centres on strength adaptation and expression across the lifespan. Much of his work focuses on strength sports performance analysis and the factors that predict competitive success in powerlifting and para-powerlifting. His research with clinical populations focuses on the use of exercise to manage psychosocial health and improving health-related quality of life.
Dan has applied his knowledge as an exercise professional and researcher in numerous roles with sports and organisations including Cricket Victoria and the Red Bull Ampol Racing Team (V8 Supercars).
Dan is a consultant to World Para Powerlifting and editor for Peer J Life and Environment. He is an active member of Exercise and Sports Science Australia and is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and Exercise Scientist (AES) and developed professional development resources for industry partners including ESSA, Healthia, and Sporting Wheelies Disabled Association.
Research
Publications
Research Summary
Dr Dan van den Hoek is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Exercise scientist. His particular areas of interest are physical and psychological predictors of sports performance, the effects of exercise on mental and psychosocial health, and sports-related concussion (SRC).
Dan is recognised for his work in powerlifting and para-powerlifting performance analysis, particularly through his consultancy work to inform rule changes for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and World Para Powerlifting (WPPO). Dan investigates the influence of bodyweight and current competitive weight classes on athlete success to assist informed decision making for new weight classes for international para powerlifting competition.
Dr van den Hoek has published >30 peer-reviewed articles, including the British Medical Journal, Sports Medicine, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, and the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy.
Honours and HDR Research projects:
- Mental toughness, exercise addiction and mental health in endurance athletes – with Dr James Clark
- The use of simulators for driver development in motorsports – with Dr Justin Holland, Professor Vince Kelly, and Associate Professor Adam Gorman at Queensland University of Technology.
- Sport-related concussion in para sports – with Associate Professor Mark Sayers, and Dr Joel Garrett (Griffith University).
Available projects
- Talent identification and athlete development in para powerlifting
- Mental toughness as a predictor of sports performance in disability sports.
- Mental toughness and exercise addiction in ultra-endurance athletes.
- Projects related to strength adaptation and expression across the lifespan.
- Inter-disciplinary research (biomedical science, nutrition and dietetics, psychology) for sports performance.
Teaching and supervision
Professional
Awards and memberships
Professional memberships
- Exercise and Sports Science Australia
Awards and fellowships
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), 2021
- Australian Catholic University, Vice-Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award for Community Engagement (2019)
- Australian Catholic University, Faculty of Health, Staff Values Award (Individual) (2019)
- Australian Catholic University, Faculty of Health, Staff Values Award (Team) (2021)
- Deakin University, Award for Outstanding Sessional Teaching in the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology (2017)