Research
The Department’s strategy for research focuses on developing the capability and capacity to consistently deliver internationally excellent research in the context of university, regional and national policies and structures in collaboration with the wider communities.
Activities have been established to conduct interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research in focused areas aligned to sport and exercise science, sport development and coaching. Encompassing areas of physiology, biomechanics, sociology and psychology, the community of research scientists aim to support and promote excellence in applied research with communities, professionals, and practitioners.
A major focus of research activity lies in developing partnerships with a wide range of communities, services and researchers in order to design and deliver projects which are beneficial to service users and which influence policy, practice and procedures in the areas of sport science, coaching practice and exercise and health development.
We are currently undertaking high quality research in a number of areas at local, national and international levels. The research is currently organised under four umbrella groupings:
- Youth Sport Development Group
- Golf Education and Research (GEAR) Group
- Sport Performance Enhancement Group
- Exercise and Health Development Group
Youth Sport Development Group
Introduction
We are currently undertaking research linked to gifted and talented development in young performers, as well as school-based and community sport development. A number of the researchers are active youth sport practitioners and actively collaborate with local, regional and national partners.
Our current research is focused in the following areas:
PESSCL strategy impact on the improvement of quality and
quantity of physical education;
impact of Lincolnshire initiative on the gifted and talented
development of youth sport performers;
philosophy of coaching practice and the experiences on the
coach-educational pathway
motivational climate in youth sport development.
Education and Research (GEAR) Group
Introduction
The vision of the group is to be internationally recognised for research that focuses on both theoretical and applied research to help understand and advance knowledge and practice in areas aligned to golf performance, golf development and coaching. We are currently undertaking research in a number of areas actively collaborating with the other UK universities, the English Golf Union, the Golf Foundation and Ping, Europe.
Our current research is focused in the following areas:
- evaluation of Golf Mark policy within English Club Golf;
- physiological preparation for optimal golf performance;
- biomechanical analysis of swing variance in golf;
- impact of ‘Flow’ on elite golf performance;
- barriers to participation in golf: A systematic review.
Sports Performance Enhancement
Introduction
We are currently undertaking research in a number of areas linked to the enhancement of the sports performer. A central theme of the research is establishing methodological techniques and measures to evaluate the mechanisms of fatigue in a range of sporting activities. We have active collaborations with other faculties and other UK universities.
Our current research is focused in the following areas:
- methodological examination of the procedures used for normalising EMG amplitude during laboratory cycling;
- mechanisms of fatigue during multidisciplinary endurance performance (Triathlon);
- onset and effect of cognitive fatigue on motor performance in sport;
- biomechanical and EMG analysis of swing variance in hockey;
- examination of the effectiveness of warm-up methods to performance within sport;
- mental toughness during ultra-distance performance.
Exercise and Health Development
Introduction
We are currently undertaking research in conjunction with the Primary and Community Care Research Group [Link Page] focusing on translational research for quality improvement in primary and community care. We use a range of methods to investigate aspects of the quality of primary care, to determine how to improve care provision and to evaluate the effects of interventions designed to bring about health improvement.
Our current research is focused in the following areas:
- efficacy and evaluation of physical activity referral schemes;
- evaluation of the “Strategies to prevent obesity programme” in North-east Lincolnshire;
- evaluation of the “Fitness for Food” Team within North-east Lincolnshire;
- evaluation of the “Get into Swimming” Initiative within Lincolnshire.