Research
Research is a key component of the Sport and Exercise department
Our team brings together a diverse range of disciplines. We currently have active researchers within sports psychology, physiology, strength and conditioning, physical activity and health and sports development.
Members of the Sport and Exercise team are accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences enabling us to provide sport science support to both athletes and teams. We also have excellent postgraduate research opportunities with the MRes in Sport and Exercise and PhD opportunities.
Our researchers actively contribute to research within the University and will contribute to the Research Excellence Framework in 2014 through the Biological Sciences Research Group and the Centre for Psychological Research.
Current Projects include:
Respiratory system limitations to load carriage - this projects aims to understand how the respiratory system is affected by carrying heavy loads upon the thorax in the form of a backpack and identify specific training techniques which may attenuate any negative effects. For more information on this project contact Dr. Peter Brown .
Effects of the YIPS on sports performance - the YIPS reflects a tremor or shaking sensation of a performer during fine motor tasks such as golf putting, darts, snooker and archery. Originally perceived to be a physiological response to fine motor tasks, this study aims to investigate the potential psychological origins of this phenomenon. For more information on this project please contact Dr. Sally Akehurst .
Physical Activity - the 'power' of sport is a term never more so important during the Olympic year, as we look at the broader role sport plays in society. Within England and the region community sport has been championed as a way to tackle social issues including social inclusion, crime, participation and health. We have worked with many community sports organisations, English Premier and Football League Clubs and the Football Foundation (the UK's largest sports charity) in research, education and consultancy. For more information please contact Dan Parnell .
Selected Publications from the group:
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Parnell, D., Stratton, G., Drust, B. & Richardson, D. (2013). Football in the Community Schemes: Exploring the Effectiveness of an Intervention in Promoting Positive Healthful Behaviour Change, Soccer and Society. 14, 1. Available Online.
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Knowles, Z., Ridgers, N.D, Parnell, D. & Stratton, G. Learning from the experts: Exploring playground experience and activities using a write and draw technique, Journal of Physical Activity and Health. In press.
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Hilland, TA, Beynon, C, McGee, C, Murphy RC, Parnell, D, Romeo-Velilla, M, Stratton, G, Foweather, L, Sports coaches' self-efficacy and perceptions towards a novel campaign to promote tobacco free messages: SmokeFree Sports. Health Education. In press.
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Brown, P.I and McConnell, A.K. (2012). Respiratory system limitations in physically demanding occupations. Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine, 83(4): 424-430.
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Brown, P.I. Sharpe, G.R and Johnson, M.A. (2012). Inspiratory muscle training abolishes the blood lactate increase associated with volitional hyperpnoea superimposed on exercise and accelerates lactate and oxygen uptake kinetics at the onset of exercise. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 112(6): 2117-2129.
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Brown, P.I.McLellan, T.M. Linanne, D.M. Wilkinson, D.M. Richmond, V.L. Horner, F.E. Blacker, S.D and Rayson, M.P. (2010). Influence of hydration volume and ambient temperature on physiological responses in personal protective clothing. Ergonomics, 53:12, 1484-1499.
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Brown, P.I. Johnson, M.A and Sharpe, G.R. (2010). Loading the trained inspiratory muscles speeds lactate recovery kinetics. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 42:6, 1103-1112.
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Brown, P.I.Sharpe, G.R. and Johnson, M.A. (2008). Inspiratory muscle training reduces blood lactate concentration during volitional hyperpnoea at rest. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 104:1, 111-117.
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Akehurst, S., & Thatcher, J. (2010). Narcissism, social anxiety and self-presentation in exercise. Personality and Individual Differences. 49, 130-135.
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Woodman, T., Akehurst, S., Hardy, L., & Beattie, S. (2010). Self-confidence and performance: A little self-doubt helps. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 11, 467-470.
