Research Centres

Sport, Physical Activity and Health Research Centre

The work of the research centre is dedicated to advancing knowledge, impacting on the broad fields of sport, exercise and health as well as meeting the needs of users and interest groups. The Centre also aims to contribute to the health and well-being of the local community and society at large.

A number of postgraduate students form an important part of the Centre鈥檚 activity and we currently have a number of students聽working towards PhDs with staff also supervising students externally at other institutions. Our research team is supported聽by visiting professors and research fellows. Our capacity for field and laboratory based data collection and analysis is also a key聽factor in the centre鈥檚 programme of research allowing us to bring participants in but also conduct our research projects in聽the athlete鈥檚 and official鈥檚 natural environment.

Developing Effective Practice

This research centre investigates means of Developing Effective Practice in a range of sport, exercise and health settings. By understanding and progressing the practice of both individuals (e.g., coaches, PE teachers) and groups (e.g., health fitness advisors, support workers) we aim to support the health and development of end users.

Key research areas include:

  • Physical activity promotion in schools
  • Developing creativity in teachers and coaches
  • Motivational climates created by teachers and coaches
  • Development and transference of mental skills
  • Judging of elite combat sports
  • Effective monitoring of training loads

Enhancing Performance

The research undertaken within this centre is focused on understanding and optimising sport performance at all levels,聽physiologically, psychologically and biomechanically. We work with both amateur and professional athletes from聽development level to world elite.

Key research areas include:

  • Athlete and training monitoring (soccer, cycling, rugby, cricket and other sports)
  • Endurance performance
  • Peer effects in golf
  • Team sports physiology
  • Exploring mental toughness and its development ,
  • Monitoring and improving performance of sports officials
  • Performance analysis
  • Monitoring and improving golf performance using biomechanics.

Promoting Health and Well-being

Research undertaken within this research centre is focused on understanding and promoting health and well-being across different population groups in society. Specific interests include physical activity, performance arts, lifestyle risk factors and mental health. 聽Researchers in this group have backgrounds in sport science, education,聽 health psychology, nursing, public health and social care.

  • Lifestyle risk factors, obesity and mental health in University student populations
  • Young people鈥檚 physical activity and sedentary behaviour
  • Physical education pedagogy and school based physical activity
  • Dance and the promotion of health in post-menopausal women
  • Health promotion through drama for children and young people
  • The lived experience of those with a mental health issue
  • Recovery in mental health
  • Novel methodologies to engage with seldom heard communities in health research.
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Sport, Physical Activity and Health Research Centre

Team Research Interests

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