Applied Research
Sport and Exercise Science
Sport and Exercise Science is equipped to provide a broad and comprehensive range of support services for both private and commercial clients.
Exercise tests
Equipment: Three treadmills including:
HP Cosmos Saturn - up to 50 km/hr. Exercise modes include:
- Bicycles
- Roller skates/blades
- Wheelchairs
Uses:
- Physiological testing (field and laboratory based)
- Maximal oxygen consumption
- Lactate threshold
- Economy
- Anaerobic power (Wingate tests)
- Anthropometry including body composition analysis via the displacement of air (Bodpod)
- Sport specific field tests
- Exercise protocol development
- Upper body exercise for able bodied and wheel chair athletes and users
- Intermittent/ repeated sprints
- Walking/ trekking
Equipment available to quantify sweating and blood flow responses.
Within the laboratory these services can be offered in a range of simulated environmental conditions (heat/ altitude). For example heat strain and personal protective clothing work is currently being conducted.
Muscle function testing
Equipment:
- SRM cycle ergometer
- Isokinetic dynamometer
Uses:
- Functional assessment
- Rehabilitation
- Monitoring training programmes
Technique analysis
Equipment:
- 3D high speed video analysis (Vicon motion analysis system)
- Force plates
- EMG.
- High speed 2D Peak Motus
- Dartfish
Uses: training/performance evaluation and advice:
- Analysis of technique to highlight biomechanical factors determining/limiting athletic performance
- Expertise and equipment are available to conduct technique analyses in both laboratory and field settings (athletics and swimming) and studies are undertaken in training and competitive environments
- 3D quantitative analysis of joint angles, velocities and accelerations, qualitative analysis at any angle / speed
- Less sophisticated field studies using split screen, screen overlay, slow motion and 2 dimensional analysis of body and joint angles, velocities, angles of release
- Video can be packaged into a presentation CD for the athlete to view at home
- Current research projects include swimming analysis from above and below water video footage
Strength and conditioning suite
- Provision and/or delivery of training sessions to develop all components of physical preparation, and sports specific preparation
- Teaching Olympic lifting techniques to develop strength and power
- Research into speed and agility training, and kinematics of Olympic lifting techniques with high speed video and force platforms to examine bilateral strength imbalances
Training programme design
Designing periodised training plans to allow appropriate, training volume, duration, frequency and intensity of training for individual sports and team sports. Specialities include athletics, swimming and team sport events.
Psychological support
- Psychological needs analysis and support for team and individual sport performers.
- Support provided by BASES Accredited individuals with experience of working in a range of sports including snooker, hockey, swimming, fencing, tennis and shooting).
- Support is often extended to a psychophysiological programme requiring an interdisciplinary approach.
Sports nutritrion
- Dietary analysis using computer software
- Dietary advice for training and competition
- Hydration status assessment and advice (including urine analysis)
Pedagogic research
- Evidence based approaches to teaching and learning are adopted by members of staff with a view to optimise student learning and satisfaction.
- Studies continue to be conducted with our students to gain a better understanding of, amongst other things, their motivation, self-efficacy and learning styles. Such expertise often readily translates to areas of Applied Coaching Science.
Contacts & further information
If you are interested in any of the services outlined above, in the first instance please contact:
Dr Andrew Drake
Tel: 024 7688 8612
Email: a.drake@coventry.ac.uk
Additional information on the University's sports facilities can be found on the Sport and Recreation Centre page.
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