Masterclasses Give Sports Students The Edge
2 March 2012
Dan Howells from the English Institute of Sport
We planned this guest lecture series to give our students the opportunity to get a real insight into the areas they hope to work in once they graduate
”Tim Egerton, Associate Lecturer on the Sport and Exercise Science degree
Over the last two weeks, the University's BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science students have received special classes from sports experts at the tops of their fields, including the English Institute of Sport, Derby County FC, Leicester Tigers and the Human Performance Consultancy.
The Strength and Conditioning Coach for the English Institute of Sport, Dan Howells, gave the gathered students a masterclass on his experience working as a strength and conditioning coach in elite sport. Explaining the process of sport specific needs analysis, he shared with the students how to reduce an athlete's injury risk while maximising their physical qualities and strength.
The session from Phillip Clarke and Phillip Heritage of the Human Performance Consultancy detailed how athletes train for ultra endurance events, based on Philip's personal experience of running 417 miles in 13 days. This session highlighted how a team of physiologists, psychologists, nutritionists and sport scientists work together to help an athlete achieve a challenge.
Steve Haines, the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Derby County FC and Dave Cripps, Strength and Conditioning Coach for Leicester Tigers Rugby Club, also gave masterclasses during the programme of special lectures.
Looking at sports science provision within their professional sport settings, both gave an insight into common misconceptions surrounding strength and conditioning support and explained their route into the industry, as well as the challenges they face in their respective sports.
Tim Egerton, Associate Lecturer on the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degree said: "We planned this guest lecture series to give our students the opportunity to get a real insight into the areas they hope to work in once they graduate.
"We would like to thank each of the guests for coming in and sharing their expertise with us."
