Professor
BSc(Hons) PhD(MMU)
Tel +64 3 479 9122
Room 1.25, 55 Union St West
Email chris.button@otago.ac.nz
Background
Chris gained his PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2000, before working at Edinburgh University in Scotland. Chris moved to NZ in 2003. Previous roles at Otago have included the Dean of the School (2017-2021), Director of the Human Performance Centre and the Co-Director of the Lifestyles in NZ research group. As well as carrying out teaching and research, Chris has provided consultancy with several organisations providing advice on Motor Development and Skill Acquisition to the likes of NZ Ministry of Health, Water Safety NZ, Netball NZ, NZ Football, and the Boston Celtics (NBA). Chris is an Executive Committee member of the Australasian Skill Acquisition Network. He is also a Section Editor of NZ Journal of Sport and Exercise Sciences.
Chris lives in Carey’s Bay, with his wife Angela and daughter Melanie. In his free time Chris coaches and plays football, he also enjoys outdoor pursuits like tramping and skiing. A keen advocate of active transport, Chris likes to cycle to and from work along the beautiful Otago Peninsula.
Teaching
- SPEX 102 Principles of Exercise for Health and Performance
- SPEX 202 Movement Analysis and Control
- SPEX 311 Sports Technology
- SPEX 316 Practicum
- SPEX 401 Research Methods for Sport, Exercise and Health
Research
Dr Button's research interests include movement coordination and variability, skill learning, coaching, water safety and survival skills. He has been the recipient of several research grants from organisations such as SportNZ, ACC, and Water Safety New Zealand. Chris has published in several international peer-reviewed journals, and a common theme of this work is the application of movement science to sport within an Ecological Dynamics framework. Summaries of much of his work linking theory to practice can be found in the textbooks, 'Dynamics of Skill Acquisition' (2020: Human Kinetics, 2nd edition), 'Complex Systems in Sport’ (2013: Routledge, Taylor & Francis), and ‘Nonlinear Pedagogy in Skill Acquisition’ (2016: Routledge, Taylor & Francis). See Chris’ ResearchGate profile here. Chris’s research has been cited over 8,000 times and his h-index is 43 (Google Scholar).
Recent research projects Chris has been involved with include:
- Teaching foundational aquatic skills to children in open water environments
- Defining tactical competency during turnovers in Netball (PDF)
- Using Active Video Game technology to assess and develop foundational movement competency of children
- Are infants enticed into water by shallow slopes?
- Balancing on water: How humans control posture whilst standing on their board
Potential postgraduate students wishing to be supervised by Chris must be interested in applying an ecological dynamics framework to physical activity and/or sport. Please consult the University of Otago scholarships webpage to check eligibility for international and domestic student scholarships.
Postgraduate Students
Current Students
- Brandon Rasman: The perceptuo-motor processes underpinning dynamic balance in surfers. (Enrolled from September 2018). Dr Chris Button and Dr Jon Shemmell
Graduates
- Carolina Burnay (2020): Exploring affordances for infants in aquatic environments.. Dr James Croft, Dr Chris Button, Dr Rita Cordovil & Dr David Anderson.
- Alana Coombe (2020): Training tactical and technical skills in elite netballers. Dr Sarah-Kate Millar, Dr Chris Button and Dr Tony Oldham.
- Jonathan Leo Ng (2019): Assessment of fundamental movement skill competency. Dr Chris Button
- Andrew Walsh (2019): Affordance based control in rock-climbing. Dr James Croft, Dr Chris Button & Dr Ludovic Seifert.
- Cameron Ross (2019): Tracking the physical demands of snowsport athletes. Dr Chris Button, Dr Peter Lamb & Dr Paul McAlpine.
- Chanel Phillips (2019). A Māori approach to water safety. Dr Anne-Marie Jackson, Dr Hauiti Hakopa, & Dr Chris Button.
Publications
Ng, J. L., & Button, C. (2023). Construct validation of a general movement competence assessment utilising active video gaming technology. Frontiers in Bioengineering & Biotechnology, 11, 1094469. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1094469
Santos, C., Burnay, C., Button, C., & Cordovil, R. (2023). Effects of exposure to formal aquatic activities on babies younger than 36 months: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 20, 5610. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20085610
Walsh, A., Seifert, L., Button, C., Vial, S., & Croft, J. (2023). The effect of fatigue on climbing fluidity and hand movements. Sports Biomechanics, 1-13. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2023.2182703
Chow, J. Y., Meerhoff, L. A., Choo, C. Z. Y., Button, C., & Tan, B. S.-J. (2023). The effect of nonlinear pedagogy on the acquisition of game skills in a territorial game. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1077065. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1077065
Gandrieau, J., Schnitzler, C., Cairney, J., Keegan, R., Roberts, W. M., Barnett, L. M., … Button, C., … Potdevin, S. F. (2023). Development of ELIP to assess physical literacy for emerging adults: A methodological and epistemological challenge. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2022.2125927
Davids, K., Button, C., & Bennett, S. (2008). Dynamics of skill acquisition: A constraints-led approach. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 251p.
Authored Book - Research
Davids, K., Hristovski, R., Araújo, D., Balagué Serre, N., Button, C., & Passos, P. (Eds.). (2014). Complex systems in sport. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 338p.
Edited Book - Research
Zollmann, S., Langlotz, T., Regenbrecht, H., Button, C., Lo, W. H., & Mills, S. (2022). Augmented reality for sports spectating and coaching. In V. Tzankova & M. Filimowicz (Eds.), Interactive sports technologies: Performance, participation, safety. (pp. 96-111). New York, NY: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003205111-7
Chapter in Book - Research
Button, C., Seifert, L., O'Donovan, D., & Davids, K. (2014). Variability in neurobiological systems and training. In K. Davids, R. Hristovski, D. Araújo, N. Balagué Serre, C. Button & P. Passos (Eds.), Complex systems in sport. (pp. 277-292). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Button, C., Wheat, J., & Lamb, P. (2014). Why coordination dynamics is relevant for studying sport performance. In K. Davids, R. Hristovski, D. Araújo, N. Balagué Serre, C. Button & P. Passos (Eds.), Complex systems in sport. (pp. 44-61). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Schöllhorn, W., Chow, J. Y., Glazier, P., & Button, C. (2014). Self-organizing maps and cluster analysis in elite and sub-elite athletic performance. In K. Davids, R. Hristovski, D. Araújo, N. Balagué Serre, C. Button & P. Passos (Eds.), Complex systems in sport. (pp. 145-159). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Button, C., Chow, J.-Y., & Rein, R. (2008). Exploring the perceptual-motor workspace: New approaches to skill acquisition and training. In Y. Hong & R. Bartlett (Eds.), Handbook of biomechanics and human movement science. (pp. 538-553). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Davids, K., Araújo, D., Button, C., & Renshaw, I. (2007). Degenerate brains, indeterminate behavior, and representative tasks: Implications for experimental design in sport psychology research. In G. Tenenbaum & R. C. Eklund (Eds.), Handbook of sport psychology. (3rd ed.) (pp. 224-244). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Chapter in Book - Research
Button, C., Davids, K., & Schöllhorn, W. (2006). Coordination profiling of movement systems. In K. Davids, S. Bennett & K. Newell (Eds.), Movement system variability. (pp. 133-152). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Chapter in Book - Research
Button, C., Smith, J., & Pepping, G.-J. (2005). The influential role of task constraints in acquiring football skills. In T. Reilly, J. Cabri & D. Araújo (Eds.), Science and football V: The proceedings of the 5th World Congress on Science and Football. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Araújo, D., Davids, K., Bennett, S. J., Button, C., & Chapman, G. (2004). Emergence of sport skills under constraints. In M. A. Williams, N. J. Hodges, M. Scott & M. Court (Eds.), Skill acquisition in sport. (pp. 409-433). London: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Button, C., & Davids, K. (2004). Acoustic information in timing. In H. Hecht & G. P. J. Savelsbergh (Eds.), Time-to-contact. Advances in Psychology Series. (pp. 355-370). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Chapter in Book - Research
Button, C. (2001). The effect of removing auditory information of ball projection on the co-ordination of one-handed ball-catching. In K. Davids, G. Savelsbergh, S. Bennett & J. Van der Kamp (Eds.), Interception actions in sport: Information and movement. (pp. 184-194). London: Taylor & Francis.
Chapter in Book - Research
Button, C., & Summers, J. (2001). Co-ordination dynamics of interceptive actions. In K. Davids, G. Savelsbergh, S. Bennett & J. Van der Kamp (Eds.), Interception actions in sport: Information and movement. (pp. 225-241). London: Taylor & Francis.
Chapter in Book - Research
Davids, K., Williams, A. M., Button, C., & Court, M. (2001). An integrative modeling approach to the study of intentional movement behavior. In R. N. Singer, H. Hausenblas & C. Jannelle (Eds.), Handbook of sport psychology. (2nd ed.) (pp. 144-173). New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Chapter in Book - Research
Davids, K., Williams, A. M., Button, C., & Court, M. L. J. (2001). Integrative modeling of brain and behavior: Implications for movement coordination and skill. In B. SInger, H. Hausenblas & C. Jannelle (Eds.), Handbook of sport psychology. (2nd ed.) (pp. 144-173). New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Chapter in Book - Research
Button, C., & Davids, K. (1999). Interacting intrinsic dynamics and intentionality requires coordination profiling of movement systems. In J. Thomson, D. N. Lee & M. Grealy (Eds.), Studies in Perception and Action, Vol. 10. (pp. 314-318). Mahwah, USA: Erlbaum Associates.
Chapter in Book - Research
Button, C., Bennett, S. J., & Davids, K. (1997). Comparing discrete and cyclical movement coordination of prehension. In M. A. Schmuckler & J. M. Kennedy (Eds.), Studies in perceptions and action IV. (pp. 285-288). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Chapter in Book - Research
Davids, K., Bennett, S., Court, M., Tayler, M. A., & Button, C. (1997). The cognition-dynamics interface. In R. Lidor & M. Bar-Eli (Eds.), Innovations in sport psychology: Linking theory and practice. (pp. 224-226). Israel: ISSP.
Chapter in Book - Research
Chow, J. Y., Meerhoff, L. A., Choo, C. Z. Y., Button, C., & Tan, B. S.-J. (2023). The effect of nonlinear pedagogy on the acquisition of game skills in a territorial game. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1077065. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1077065
Journal - Research Article
Gandrieau, J., Schnitzler, C., Cairney, J., Keegan, R., Roberts, W. M., Barnett, L. M., … Button, C., … Potdevin, S. F. (2023). Development of ELIP to assess physical literacy for emerging adults: A methodological and epistemological challenge. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2022.2125927
Journal - Research Article
Ng, J. L., & Button, C. (2023). Construct validation of a general movement competence assessment utilising active video gaming technology. Frontiers in Bioengineering & Biotechnology, 11, 1094469. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1094469
Journal - Research Article
Walsh, A. S., Seifert, L., Button, C., & Croft, J. L. (2023). The effect of expertise upon perceived reach- and grasp-ability in rock climbers. International Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/1612197X.2022.2161104
Journal - Research Article
Walsh, A., Seifert, L., Button, C., Vial, S., & Croft, J. (2023). The effect of fatigue on climbing fluidity and hand movements. Sports Biomechanics, 1-13. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2023.2182703
Journal - Research Article
Anderson, N., Button, C., & Lamb, P. (2022). The effect of educational gymnastics on postural control of young children. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 936680. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.936680
Journal - Research Article
Button, C., Ng, J. L., Burnay, C., & van Duijn, T. (2022). Application of ecological dynamics principles to drowning prevention. Asian Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.ajsep.2022.04.001
Journal - Research Article
Uehara, L., Davids, K., Pepping, G.-J., Gray, R., & Button, C. (2022). The role of family and football academy in developing Brazilian football expertise. International Sports Studies, 44(2), 6-21. doi: 10.30819/iss.44-2.02
Journal - Research Article
Burnay, C., Button, C., Cordovil, R., Anderson, D. I., & Croft, J. L. (2021). Do infants avoid a traversable slope leading into deep water? Developmental Psychobiology, 63, e22169. doi: 10.1002/dev.22169
Journal - Research Article
Burnay, C., Cordovil, R., Button, C., Croft, J. L., & Anderson, D. I. (2021). Experienced crawlers avoid real and water drop‐offs, even when they are walking. Infancy, 26, 770-779. doi: 10.1111/infa.12419
Journal - Research Article
Burnay, C., Cordovil, R., Button, C., Croft, J. L., Schofield, M., Pereira, J., & Anderson, D. I. (2021). The effect of specific locomotor experiences on infants' avoidance behaviour on real and water cliffs. Developmental Science, 24(3), e13047. doi: 10.1111/desc.13047
Journal - Research Article
Schnitzler, C., Seifert, L., & Button, C. (2021). Adaptability in swimming pattern: How propulsive action is modified as a function of speed and skill. Frontiers in Sports & Active Living, 3, 618990. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2021.618990
Journal - Research Article
Uehara, L., Button, C., Saunders, J., Araújo, D., Falcous, M., & Davids, K. (2021). Malandragem and Ginga: Socio-cultural constraints on the development of expertise and skills in Brazilian football. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 16(3), 622-635. doi: 10.1177/1747954120976271
Journal - Research Article
Uehara, L., Falcous, M., Button, C., Davids, K., Araújo, D., de Paula, A. R., & Saunders, J. (2021). The poor "wealth" of Brazilian football: How poverty may shape skill and expertise of players. Frontiers in Sports & Active Living, 3, 635241. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2021.635241
Journal - Research Article
van Duijn, T., Button, C., & Masters, R. S. W. (2021). A multidisciplinary comparison of different techniques among skilled water treaders. Frontiers in Physiology, 12, 719788. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.719788
Journal - Research Article
van Duijn, T., Ng, J. L., Burnay, C., Anderson, N., Uehara, L., Cocker, K., & Button, C. (2021). The influence of equipment and environment on children and young adults learning aquatic skills. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 733489. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.733489
Journal - Research Article
Button, C., Button, A. J., Jackson, A.-M., Cotter, J. D., & Maraj, B. (2020). Teaching foundational aquatic skills to children in open water environments. International Journal of Aquatic Research & Education, 13(1), 1. doi: 10.25035/ijare.13.01.01
Journal - Research Article
Coombe, A., Millar, S.-K., & Button, C. (2020). Understanding the tactical behaviour associated with turnovers in elite netball. Journal of Sport & Exercise Science, 4(2), 72-83. doi: 10.36905/jses.2020.02.02
Journal - Research Article
Guignard, B., Button, C., Davids, K., & Seifert, L. (2020). Education and transfer of water competencies: An ecological dynamics approach. European Physical Education Review, 26(4), 938-953. doi: 10.1177/1356336X20902172
Journal - Research Article
Ng, J. L., Button, C., Collins, D., Giblin, S., & Kennedy, G. (2020). Assessing the internal reliability and construct validity of the general movement competence assessment for children. Journal of Motor Learning & Development, 8(1), 87-106. doi: 10.1123/jmld.2018-0047
Journal - Research Article
Ramsey, H., Button, C., Davids, K., Hacques, G., Seifert, L., & Dicks, M. (2020). Considerations for the study of individual differences in gaze control during expert visual anticipation: An exploratory study. Movement & Sport Sciences, (110), 39-47. doi: 10.1051/sm/2020006
Journal - Research Article
Ross, C., Lamb, P., McAlpine, P., Kennedy, G., & Button, C. (2020). Validation of gyroscope sensors for snow sports performance monitoring. International Journal of Computer Science in Sport, 19(1), 51-59. doi: 10.2478/ijcss-2020-0004
Journal - Research Article
Sanders, R. H., Button, C., & McCabe, C. B. (2020). Variability of upper body kinematics in a highly constrained task: Sprint swimming. European Journal of Sport Science, 20(5), 624-632. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2019.1658808
Journal - Research Article
Button, C., Brouwer, L., Schnitzler, C., & de Poel, H. J. (2019). Exploratory analysis of treading water coordination and the influence of task and environmental constraints. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2579. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02579
Journal - Research Article
Meerhoff, L. A., De Poel, H. J., Jowett, T. W. D., & Button, C. (2019). Walking with avatars: Gait-related visual information for following a virtual leader. Human Movement Science, 66, 173-185. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2019.04.003
Journal - Research Article
Orth, D., van der Kamp, J., & Button, C. (2019). Learning to be adaptive as a distributed process across the coach–athlete system: Situating the coach in the constraints-led approach. Physical Education & Sport Pedagogy, 24(2), 146-161. doi: 10.1080/17408989.2018.1557132
Journal - Research Article
Blair, M. R., Elsworthy, N., Rehrer, N. J., Button, C., & Gill, N. D. (2018). Physical and physiological demands of elite rugby union officials. International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance, 13(9), 1199-1207. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2017-0849
Journal - Research Article
Button, C., Orth, D., Davids, K., & Seifert, L. (2018). The influence of hold regularity on perceptual-motor behaviour in indoor climbing. European Journal of Sport Science, 18(8), 1090-1099. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1472812
Journal - Research Article
Passos, P., Milho, J., & Button, C. (2018). Quantifying synergies in two-versus-one situations in team sports: An example from Rugby Union. Behavior Research Methods, 50(2), 620-629. doi: 10.3758/s13428-017-0889-3
Journal - Research Article
Schnitzler, C., Button, C., Seifert, L., Armbrust, G., & Croft, J. L. (2018). Does water temperature influence the performance of key survival skills? Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 28(3), 928-938. doi: 10.1111/sms.12997
Journal - Research Article
Anderson, N., & Button, C. (2017). Development of static postural control: An overview and summary of entropy analysis. Journal of Motor Learning & Development, 5(1), 126-147. doi: 10.1123/jmld.2016-0011
Journal - Research Article
