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Young footballers become sports scientists to help researchers at Coventry University Living Lab
Young footballers became sports scientists for the day at Coventry University's Living Lab
University news / Research news
Thursday 12 June 2025
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Football skills met cutting-edge technology as young footballers helped researchers at Coventry University delve into why movement is important for skills and health.
Boys and girls aged 11 to 15 became sports scientists for the day and were inspired to help answer questions such as how we measure fitness and tactical skill, and what role our eyes play in movement and sport – all with a football spin.
As well as inspiring the children to understand the importance of sports science, some of the data collected will help the PASES team to better understand how developing movement skills during childhood could reduce injury risks in childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
The Living Lab hosted by Coventry University’s Research Centre for Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Sciences (PASES) saw the youngsters put through their paces at football skills such as passing and running with the ball, as well as using PASES’ industry-leading technology to measure and test physical/motor skills, eye tracking, trunk strength and brain oxygenation.
They were also joined by former Northern Ireland international footballer and now UEFA Pro Licence coach John McCarthy who led a coaching session for the different groups.
Children involved in grassroots football across Coventry and Warwickshire became researchers for the day to help us answer questions around why movement is important for skills and health.
They got to work with our sports scientists in our state-of-the-art sports science laboratories and the great thing about the event was the opportunity to engage young people in understanding science, through the sport they are involved in.
Through our open science approach, we empower children as scientists and researchers as well as them being involved in football in a way that the children enjoy and stimulates interest in developing their understanding of the science behind the sport.
Professor Mike Duncan, Director of PASES
Find out more about the Research Centre for Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Sciences.
