Graduate develops Hammers Science role

Our programme provides graduates with a platform to progress into a variety of roles.

During his time at UCLan, Adam Crossley completed a BSc in Personal Fitness Training, before advancing onto an MSc in Sport and Exercise Science. He also gained experience in both professional football and rugby league, eventually securing a role with West Ham United FC in 2012.

He commented: "My whole time at UCLan helped me develop considerably into the role I'm currently working in at West Ham's Academy.

"Before I undertook my Master's I was offered an opportunity at another University, but I felt the opportunity to continue to learn off staff like Dr Steve Atkins and Dr Howard Hurst was an excellent one.

"Not only did it develop me academically, but there were also numerous opportunities to gain experience in the field. These could include testing elite athletes coming into the University or gaining part-time placements with professional clubs. These opportunities were vital in my development and ultimately helped me decide on my career path."

During his third year at UCLan, Adam worked once a week with Wigan Warriors RLFC in their Academy Strength & Conditioning Department. He also gained further experience, shadowing the Lead Sport Scientist at Preston North End FC and also completed a work placement at a local primary school.

Adam said this was crucial in his personal development: "I initially worked with a number of different year groups, once every week for half a year. When I completed my placement I was given the opportunity to stay there, running the after-school football club. I did this for two more years and it was vital for me in developing key skills such as organisation, group speaking and time-keeping skills."

After finishing his Master's, Adam was offered a year-long placement at West Ham. His main role was leading the GPS analysis at their Academy: "It was the start of the EPPP (Elite Player Performance Plan) and the Academy had never had their own GPS set-up, so I came in to develop that area," said Adam.

"Fortunately for me this placement turned into a full-time role and the position has developed considerably. I'm now in my third year at the club and my job includes leading on the analysis of the GPS (matches and training), filming and analysis of training sessions and the monitoring of training load. The introduction of the EPPP definitely helped me get a placement and I think its introduction will help newly-graduated students get more opportunities too.

"The Sport Science Department at the Academy has developed an excellent student placement programme, and I’m glad to say I've been able to work with Dr Atkins again to give UCLan students the opportunity to learn here on a year-long placement. Working with our excellent department I know will have a significant positive impact on their development."

Lecturer edits prestigious journal

UCLan SENS Lecturer Carol Wallace recently edited a special edition of the journal 'Perspectives in Public Health'.

The issue included a number of peer-review articles from the Division, including Brigit Ramsingh's paper on Food Standards and one written by Carol with Debbie Christopher, one of last year's Food Safety Management Master's students.

International collaborator Dr Ben Chapman also had an article published, whilst Carol produced a guest editorial on food safety management systems.

To view the journal, please click here.

BMJ accept research paper

The Division's Dr Jonathon Sinclair and Dr Steve Atkins, in conjunction with Dr Paul Taylor (UCLan Psychology), have confirmed a joint research paper has been accepted by The BMJ.

The paper is the result extensive work between the trio, and highlights the cross-school collaboration between The School of Sport, Tourism and The Outdoors and The School Of Psychology.

Dr Sinclair said: "This is a paper we've been working on for quite some time and the journal is extremely prestigious. The paper looked at tendon forces in military recruits.

"Achilles tendon injuries occur frequently in military populations as they do a lot of running as part of their training. Through this work we hope to be able to provide mechanisms by which the forces applied to the tendon can be reduced, thus reducing the risk from injury."

Promotions for Warriors duo

UCLan SENS are pleased to announce that Mark Quinn and Ian Bentley have been promoted in their external roles with Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club.

Mark (left) has been appointed Head of Sports Science and Analysis, whilst Ian is now Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Under 19s team.

The pair are currently studying their PhDs within UCLan SENS, whilst Ian also lectures on our Sports Science programme.

Mark commented: "My new role at Wigan will contribute vastly to my PHD, as I’ll be hands on with all the data collected from the team everyday in training and games.

"This not only includes the Global Positioning System (GPS) data tracking players movements (distance, speed, acceleration), but the match statistics (tackles made, metres made with the ball), which together gives a more thorough analysis of the demands of rugby league.

"I will also gain an insight into the coaching side of rugby league, namely the technical and tactical side of the game. With my PHD research looking at the physical and mental demands of the sport, this gives me an overview of all areas that contribute to rugby league performance.

"By combining my work at Wigan with my studies at UCLan it gives a real applied focus to my research. With the facilities, technology and expert advice from academics based in UCLan SENS, it is exciting to be at the forefront of research and performance in elite sport.

Ian (right) added: "My roles with UCLan and Wigan Warriors combine really well. My work as a Strength and Conditioning coach for the Academy informs my teaching, allowing me to link the theory with my practical experiences in elite development sport.

"I'm able to provide a number of internships for our students working with the Academy or Scholarship age groups, thus providing them with valuable coaching experience."

UCLan SENS would like to wish Mark and Ian every success in their new roles.

Equine surfaces expert lands new role

Dr Sarah Jane Hobbs has been appointed as Reader in Equine Biomechanics within UCLan SENS.

The appointment follows on from Dr Hobbs recently leading the world's most extensive study into the effect of arena surfaces on the health of sport horses.

In conjunction with her new role, Dr Hobbs aims to establish her Research and Consultancy in Equine Surfaces (RACES) as the world leader in the independent assessment of arena surfaces and race tracks across the globe – hopefully within the next 12 months.

UCLan SENS would like to congratulate Dr Hobbs on her well deserved appointment.

Student scoops coveted award

UCLan SENS student Suruchi Pradhan has won a prestigious prize at the recent Nutrition Society Postgraduate Conference held at the University of Nottingham.

Suruchi's presentation on her research topic entitled 'Comparative study of micronutrients (iron, zinc and vitamin A) in traditional South Asian diets in North West UK and North West Pakistan' was awarded Best Oral Communication at the event.

The conference provides postgraduate students at all stages of their research with the opportunity to present work, attend career sessions and network with peers.

Suruchi is currently undertaking a Master's by Research within UCLan SENS supervised by Professor Nicola Lowe. The Division wishes to congratulate Suruchi on her achievement.

Placement boosts student's career prospects

Student employability is a key element of the UCLan SENS courses. Nik Kudiersky is about to enter the final year of his Sports Science degree and is undertaking a placement at Fleetwood Town FC.

After spending the early part of the summer helping out in the University’s biomechanics labs and assisting a testing day at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester, Nik was given the opportunity to provide sport science and strength & conditioning support to the League One club.

Under the guidance of fitness coach and ex-pro Youl Mawene, Nik's primary role is heart rate data analyst.

We spoke to Nik to find out more: "My placement involves the preparation of heart rate monitors before training, downloading data after training, analysing raw heart rate data, and creating graphical representations of heart rate data which can be easily interpreted by players and coaches.

"Some of my other roles include assisting training set-up, assistance during training to ensure the session runs smoothly (aka ball boy/water boy), taking individual players for cool-down and stretching, and making recovery drinks.

"The practical experience gained at Fleetwood has been invaluable. It has provided insight into the everyday challenges the practitioner faces with balancing scientific rigour with the limitations associated with a strict budget, and the creativity needed to overcome this.

"As well as learning from scratch how to use the Polar heart rate software, I have greatly improved my Microsoft Excel skills, and I've picked up several creative training ideas, all of which will help me greatly in my final year of my degree and augment my career prospects."